Sparkling 68 gets Paul McBride into South contention

Paul McBride, a student at the famous golfing academy of Wake Forest in North Carolina which numbers Arnold Palmer, Eoghan O’Connell and Darren Clarke among its alumni, demonstrated once again at Lahinch yesterday that Malahide continues to produce young golfers of the highest calibre.

McBride, 19, a member of The Island and also recognised as a highly competent hurler with the St Sylvesters club, joined joint overnight leader Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) at the top of the leaderboard in the South of Ireland Championship at the conclusion of the 36 hole qualifiers on four under par 140.

Although the the course was reduced by some 198 yards from the first round, it remained a formidable challenge and while several players scored in the 80s, a number also certainly took full advantage.

One player on 153, nine over, failed to make the cut and ironically that was Justin Kehoe, the 2001 champion and a reinstated professional.

McBride, who earned his scholarship to Wake Forest through a succession of impressive performances in boys golf, highlighted yesterday’s 68 with an eagle at the par five 5th, the famous “Klondyke” and also picked up shots at the 2nd, 9th, 13th and 18th.

McBride picks up the leading qualifier’s prize ahead of 22 year-old Cian Geraghty, who emerged from relative obscurity in Wednesday’s first round with an equal best of the day 70 when he was four over par after five holes only to hit back with a host of birdies.

In contrast, yesterday Geraghty offset three bogeys with three birdies before arriving at the 18th where a beautifully played bunker shot trickled into the hole for an eagle and another round of 70.

Irish international Colm Campbell certainly justified the long journey from his native Warrenpoint by shooting a four under par 68 for 142 where he was quickly joined by fellow Ulster golfer, long hitting Colin Fairweather, another to eagle the 18th.

Campbell, winner of the East of Ireland Championship last year, has come to Lahinch in a determined bid to retain his Irish team place before turning professional and believes his prospects are helped by a liking for a links he is playing for the first time.

Several others also revelled in the ideal conditions like recent North of Ireland finalist Gary Collins from Rosslare who cruised home in 70 to finish two over.

The many admirers of the 20 year-old Mallow golfer Paul McCarthy also had good reason for satisfaction after the winner of the Munster Youths Championship at Tralee in April added a 71 to an earlier 74 for 7th place.

Reigning East of Ireland champion Stuart Grehan from Tullamore who offset a dodgy looking 77 in the opening round to preserve his involvement with a round of 70.

And local enthusiasts can look forward to the presence in the match play stages of Thomas Neenan, who added a 69 to Wednesday’s 79.

Alan Lowry, brother of professional Shane who looked to be in trouble after an opening 79, hit back with a 71 to safely survive the cut.

In similar vein, former Muskerry Barton Shield winner Niall Gorey, now playing out of Palmerstown Stud, cut 10 strokes off his opening 80 to survive with a degree of comfort.

Defending champion Stuart Bleakley from Shandon Park and another former winner, Pat Murray of Limerick, didn’t have a whole lot to spare on 152.

There was mixed fortunes for Eddie Power and his son Kevin.

Whereas Eddie, the former three times Irish Close champion, finished on 148 , Kevin, one of the country’s more promising young golfers, failed to make it through.

The biggest name to miss out was current international Richard Bridges from Stackstown.

Bridges did his chances of retaining his Irish team place no good at all by adding a 76 to Wednesday’s 79.