Irish Boys Championship: John Brady and Mark Power in fierce battle

John Brady (Rosslare) and Mark Power (Kilkenny), two of the brightest prospects on the golfing scene for many years, are waging a great battle at the top of the leader board after 36 holes of the Irish Boys Open Championship at Castletroy.

Defending champion Power opened up a one shot lead over Brady with a spectacular first round of five under par 67 on Tuesday but the balance of power switched yesterday. Brady dipped under 70 once again with a 69 while Power lost ground over the homeward journey and finished on 72, leaving the Rosslare boy on seven under par 137 and enjoying a two shot lead.

Brady mixed two bogeys with two birdies over the first five holes of the back nine before staging a grandstand finish with an eagle at the long 16th and a birdie at the 18th. It was a surge which Power couldn’t match even if he did offset a bogey at the 11th with birdies at the next two.