Flanagan keeps local flag flying
Flanagan (16) was a humble ball-spotter at the competition’s outset early on Friday but grabbed his opportunity when receiving a late, late call-up as first reserve.
And after squeezing through the strokeplay section with a 154 total for the first two days, the teenager took a one hole win over Jack Pierce (Grange) in their first round encounter yesterday morning before beating Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little) 2 and 1 in the afternoon.
Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park), a close friend of Rory McIlroy, is now one of the leading contenders following his 1 hole win over Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park) in their second round encounter.
Galway’s Eddie McCormack also looks good after recording a 6 and 5 win over Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock) in the second round.
Leading qualifier Richard O’Donovan (Lucan) lost out 2 and 1 to Colm Campbell Jnr (Warrenpoint) in one of the earliest first round matches and first day leader James McCormick of England crashed out after a 2 and 1 loss to Kelan McDonough (Athlone) in their first round clash.
Elsewhere, Muskerry’s Niall Gorey lost out at the 20th hole to Rory McNamara (Headfort) in their first round meeting.