PGA Charity Trophy golf: Howley wins at Slieve Russell

Milltown assistant Francis Howley upstaged the seasoned European Tour pros

to win the first prize of £9,000 - his biggest single winnings in Ireland.

Howley carded a flawless six-under-par 66 in the final round with an eagle

and four birdies on his card.

The eagle was at the long 9th hole where he holed frrom 40 feet.

Overnight leader Des Smyth had to be content with joint third place along

with Eamon Darcy after a 71 - both players on 140 with Gary Murphy slipping

into second spot following a closing 69.

£55,000 QUINN LIFE PGA CHARITY TROPHY AT SLIEVE RUSSELL:

Final Round Scores:

137 (-7) - F Howley (Milltown) 66.

139 - G Murphy (Kilkenny) 69.

140 - E Darcy (Druid's Glen) 68, D Smyth (Unattached) 71.

143 - P Hanna (Fortwilliam) 71; J Heggarty (Spawell) 72; G Loughrey

(Knockbracken) 72.

144 - D McGrane (Wexford) 73; M Bannon (Bangor) 71.

145 - J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 72

146 - J Dignam (Slade Valley) 74; N Manchip (Royal Dublin) 73; L Robinson

(Donegal) 73; S Hamill (Allen Pk) 71; M Allen (Leopardstown) 76..

147 - D Walker (Foxrock) 71

148 - P Walton (Westpoint Fitness Centre) 75; K Morris (Fota Island) 74; M

Sludds (Enniscorthy) 74; L Walker (Dundalk) 75.

150 - J Kelly (Ward) 72; R Burns (Newlands) 78

151 - E Doyle (Heath) 75; P McGuirk (Co Louth) 74; V Teague (Moyola Pk) 80..

152 - D Cooper (Birchwood) 69; P Stevenson (Portadown) 76; G Burke (Curragh)

78; L McCool (Slieve Russell) 78.

153 - Z Rouiller (Spawell) 72; W O'Callaghan (Fernhill) 76; P Gribben

(Unattached) 78; C Spence (Royal Belfast) 78.

154 - T Higgins (Mt Juliet) 77.

TEAMS:

173pts - P McGuirk (Co Louth) with J Somers 6 (Charlesland), N Crimmins 5

(Co Louth) & M Horan 11 (Dunmore East).