Flanagan keeps local flag flying

Local teenager Sean Flanagan is still on track to claim the Co Sligo club’s first West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship since 1950 following his terrific showing in yesterday’s two matchplay rounds at Rosses Point.

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.