In-form Irish amateurs travel in good heart

Ireland’s best amateurs went their separate ways this week but whether the US Amateur or the Home Internationals are their next port of call, they departed in buoyant mood following an excellent collective showing at the European Individual Amateur in Slovakia last week.

Five Irishmen finished with top-20 placings in Penati with West Waterford’s Gary Hurley leading the way, just missing out on victory and taking second place, a shot behind Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli, with The Island’s Gavin Moynihan also on the podium in third.

Late Home Internationals call-up Robin Dawson from Faithlegg took a share of sixth while Greystones’ Open Championship hero Paul Dunne shot a final-round 68 to leap 18 places for a tie in 11th. Naas’s Jack Hume tied 19th.