Ireland must settle for silver as Spain reign

Ireland had to play second fiddle to Spain in the final of the European Amateur Team Championship in Finland at the weekend — a 5-2 trouncing meant they returned home yesterday with the silver medal.

The two foursomes finished 1-1 after ding-dong tussles but the singles turned into a rout, as the Spaniards took control and secured the necessary three points.

Dublin’s Gavin Moynihan, the Scottish Open stroke-play champion, was never in contention against Joseo Angles. Cormac Sharvin who had been in form during the week, was out of sorts. Two down at the turn, the Ardglass man lost 10 and 11 and slumped to a 4&3 reverse.

Ballymena’s McElroy was four down at halfway to Jon Rahm and lost 5&4 while it was agreed to call the other two matches halves, though both Irishmen Gary Hurley and Paul Dunne were down at the time.

Meanwhile Ireland finished 12th in the Women’s Championship after losing 3.5-1.5 to Denmark, 14th in the Boys Championship when they lost 3-2 to the Czech Republic and 15th in the Girls event after beating Switzerland 4-1.