Golf: Ballymena rugby star sets pace

Ballymena rugby player Alex McCloy set the pace with a course record of 65 on the Valley Course in the opening round of the Carlsberg North of Ireland Championship at Portrush today.

McCloy began with an eagle two and added five birdies.

Only a couple of hours later senior international Justin Kehoe from Birr equalled McCloy's 65 with six birdies on his card.

The qualifiers were on two different courses and from the bigger Dunluce course the best of the day was Barry O'Halloran from Royal Dublin who posted a one under par 71.