Irish side axe Maguire

Ireland’s women selectors have sprung a surprise by dropping Lisa Maguire from the side for the World Amateur Team Championships in Turkey next month.

Lisa played two years ago in Buenos Aires when aged only 15 and helped Ireland occupy 11th spot, their best ever solo finish, but an alarming loss of form this season has forced the selectors to leave her out.

She failed to qualify for the match-play stages of the British championship at Carnoustie and flopped badly in the Irish Open at Killeen Castle. And Lisa, who has not helped her cause by not entering or pulling out of several tournaments recently, is not even named as one of three non-travelling reserves.

In her place, the selectors have gone for Lisburn’s Paula Grant, the leading Irish player in the British strokeplay championship at Shandon Park.

Royal Portrush’s Stephanie Meadow, the American-based British champion, and Lisa’s sister Leona constitute the team for the prestigious championships being played over the old and new courses at the Gloria Club in Antalya, Turkey from September 26 to 29.