Slovenia add to Ireland’s tale of woe in Iceland

Having already seen their bid for European Ladies’ Team Championship glory go up in smoke, Ireland suffered more disappointment in Iceland yesterday, losing to Slovenia in their second flight clash.

Olivia Mehaffey and Maria Dunne went down 3½-1½ against the Slovenians over the Oddur course which means the highest position they can now finish is 13th.

Dunne (Skerries) and Sinead Sexton (Lahinch) lost the sole foursomes contest 3&2 against Slovenian pair Lara Jecnik and Vida Obersnel.

Royal County Down star Mehaffey again led from the front as she beat Ursa Orehek by the same margin, while Holywood’s Jessica Carty halved her contest with Ana Belac. But defeats for Jessica Ross (Clandeboye) and Louise Coffey (Malone) against Katja Pogacar and Nastja Banovec, respectively, sealed their fate.

Ireland face the Netherlands today.

Ireland did have something to cheer about in Norway as they beat Switzerland 3½-1½ in their European Girls’ Team Championship second flight encounter. The Irish, already out of contention for the title having finished 11th in stroke play qualifying, were boosted by some excellent performances.

Niamh McSherry (Lurgan) and Valerie Clancy (Killarney) started Ireland off on the front foot as they won the only foursomes contest 3&2 against Aurora Colombo and Victoria Monod.

There were then victories in the singles for Annabel Wilson (Lurgan) and Mairead Martin (Killarney) over Clarissa Cattori and Natalie Armbruster respectively, while Cork’s Rachel Thompson halved her match with Chiara Tamburlini.

Meanwhile, Ulster were crowned Ladies Interprovincial Champions for the second consecutive year at Slieve Russell yesterday.

On the final day Ulster took the foursomes matches from Leinster but the singles was a different story.

Leinster recorded early wins from Meadhbh Doyle, Ciara Casey and Aedin Murphy. Lisa Maguire staged a comeback for the defending champions against Rachel Taylor and won her match on the home green. It all came down to Mary Doyle and Niamh Ward’s match, which was halved, resulting in an overall win for the Ulster side.

Connacht, despite trailing Munster 3-0 after the foursomes, won four from five points in the singles. It was a 4-4 result between the two sides, meaning Connacht finished in third spot.

On a nail biting final day at the Girls’ Interprovincials, Leinster were eventually crowned champions. They got off got off to a good start, winning two of the foursomes. Georgia Carr added the only win of the singles for the Leinster side but two halved matches from Lauren Walsh and Ellen O’Gorman sealed the deal.

Munster dominated Connacht in the other clash, winning all nine matches to finish in second place.

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