North of Ireland Championship down to last four

It's now down to the last four in the Magners' North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush with the line-up being Rory Leonard (Banbridge) v Darren Crowe (Dunmurry) and Connor Doran (Banbridge) v Andrew Pitcher (The Island) with the possibiloity of tomorrow afternoon's final being an all-Banbridge affair.

Leaonard defeated his great pal Andrew McCormack (Scrabo) in the quarter-finals after putting out young Curragh player Paul O'Hanlon in the Round of 16.

After birdies were swapped continously, Leonard was two up on McCormick after 10 holes but lost the 11th to a birdie before wrapping up a 3&2 win with pars at the 13th and 16th holes.

Crowe ended the hopes of Irish long driving champion Michael Lavelle (Belmullet) by 5&4 in another birdie battle.

World Universities' champion Crowe turned two up before turning on the birdie trail, winning the 11th, 13th and 14th all in one-under-pars to end the argument.

Leading qualifier Doran has eased nicely through to the alst four with a 5&4 win over Dungannon teenager Fergal Rafferty and a 3&2 victory over Robert McCarthy, preventing an all-Island semi clash as McCarthy's club colleague Andrew Pitcher has battled through.

Pitcher had to go to the 19th hole before pushing out Greg Bowden (Hermitage) and then fought back from one down on the 11th tee to beat English entrant Neil Shorley by 2&1.

MAGNERS NORTH OF IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL PORTRUSH

Third Round – A McCormick (Scrabo) bt A McCloy (Ballymena) 4&3; R Leonard (Banbridge) bt P O’Hanlon (Curragh) one hole; M Lavelle (Belmullet) bt G Forbes (Newtownstewart) one hole; D Crowe (Dunmurry) bt D Beattie (Whitehead) 3&2; C Doran (Banbridge) bt F Rafferty (Dungannon) 5&4; R McCartan (Island) bt M Sinclair (Knock) 2&1; N Shorley (Henbury) bt N O’Briain (Royal Dublin) 5&4; A Pitcher (Island) bt G Bowden (Hermitage) at 19th.

Quarter-finals – Leonard bt McCormick 3&2; Crowe bt Lavelle 5&4; Doran bt McCarthy 3&2; Pitcher bt Shorley 2&1.