Healy sets up McNamara duel after easing to victory over Grant

Stephen Healy (Claremorris) will represent the home province on the final day of the Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Rosses Point today after a clear-cut 4 and 3 triumph over Nicholas Grant (Knock) in their quarter-final yesterday.

He will face Rory McNamara (Headfort, Meath) this morning. McNamara got the better of 2010 ‘West’ finalist, Galway’s Eddie McCormack by two holes.

It was also McNamara who defeated Co Sligo teenager Sean Flanagan in their last-16 meeting earlier yesterday.

McNamara was actually born in Sligo — and was a member of the Co Sligo’s club’s All-Ireland winning Fred Daly side of 2007.

Harry Diamond — best pal of Rory McIlroy — is also firmly in the hunt for honours after a battling one-hole win over last year’s beaten finalist, Alan Dunbar (Rathmore).

“It was close all the way but I played pretty good,” Diamond said after his victory.

The Belvoir Park player now faces Co Louth’s Simon Ward for a place in the afternoon final — Ward only overcoming Patrick McCrudden (Royal Portrush) on the 20th hole of their quarter-final.

The host club’s Gary McDermott — who had aimed to become Co Sligo’s first victor in the ‘West’ in 62 years — crashed out on a 3 and 2 loss to McCrudden in their last 16 clash.

Round three: P McCrudden (Royal Portrush) bt G McDermott (Co Sligo) 3/2, S Ward (Co Louth) bt D Callister (Mount Murray, IoM) 3/2, H Diamond (Belvoir Park) bt D Morgan (Mullingar) 3/2, A Dunbar (Rathmore) bt R McKinsstry (Cairndhu) 6/5, S Healy (Claremorris) bt J Hume (Rathsallagh) 3/1, N Grant (Knock) bt D Holland (The Castle) 3/1, E McCormack (Galway) bt R Kenny (Naas/NUIM) 3/1, R McNamara (Headfort) bt S Flanagan (Co Sligo) to holes.

Quarter-finals: S Ward (Co. Louth) bt P McCrudden (Royal Portrush) 20th, H Diamond (Belvoir Park) bt A Dunbar (Rathmore) 1Hole, S Healy (Claremorris) bt Nicholas Grant (Knock) 4/3, R McNamara (Headfort) bt E McCormack (Galway) one hole.

Semi-finals (today): S Ward (Co Louth) v Diamond (Belvoir Park) 8am, S Healy (Claremorris) v R McNamara (Headfort) 8.15am.