Surprise as scratch handicapper beats Carvill

Warrenpoint senior international and former professional Jim Carvill was put out of the North of Ireland Championship in the second round by Ballymena scratch handicapper Alex McCoy at Royal Portrush today.

The 26-year-old University of Ulster post graduate won by one hole - a birdie three at the 18th making the difference.

McCloy will now meet Andrew McCormick in the third round.

Leading qualifier Connor Doran had a close call in the first round from Englishman Giles Legg, the match also going to the last green, but Doran had an easier afternoon as he beat Sean Quigg from City of Derry by 4&3.

Doran's Banbridge club colleague Rory Leonard also survived but another Banbridge hopeful, Richard Kilpatrick, was dispatched by Robert McCarthy (The Island) 2&1.

Michael Sinclair (Knock) is the only former winner left in the championship. He went through to the third round with a 5&4 win over Stackstown's Liam Mulligan and a one hole win over Mourne player Noel Crawford.

Paul O'Hanlon from The Curragh, Michael Lavelle (Belmullet), Neill O'Briain (Royal Dublin) and Andrew Pritchard (The Island) are all through to the last 16.

Cian McNamara from Limerick is out, beaten in the first round by Gordon Forbes. Out, too, Peter O'Keefe (Douglas) and Joe Lyons (Galway). It's now down to the last 16.