Ireland claim girls crown at Conwy

Ireland’s girls team made history yesterday when they won their four-cornered Home International Championship for the first time at Conwy on the North Wales coast courtesy of a nail-biting 5-4 victory over Scotland.

It did not look too bright for the Irish at lunchtime as they trailed 2-1 following the morning foursomes but some brilliant golf in the afternoon reaped huge rewards. Scotland needed only a draw to take the crown but Ireland had to win.

Lurgan’s 15-year-old Annabel Wilson launched the fightback with a 5&3 success over Joanne Free and then Irish girls’ champion Julie McCarthy Niamh McSherry and Lauren Walsh champagne performances to steer their side home.

It was when debutant Walsh from Castlewarden overcame Jillian Farrell by 3&1 that the celebrations could begin.

Their triumph ended England’s eight year reign as champions- Scotland finished second with England third and Wales the wooden spoonists.

In the women’s internationals also at Conwy, it was a very different story as Ireland despite drawing with Wales and England still could only finish third after losing narrowly 5-4 to Scotland.

Maurice Kelly, a veteran international from Naas finished in a highly-creditable share of fifth place in the Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Formby on the Lancashire coast.