Ireland clinch Euro title for fifth time

Ireland retained the European Amateur Team Championship for the first time in 41 years on Saturday.

Winners at Western Gailes last year, Ireland beat England 4.5 - 2.5 at Royal Park GC near Turin.

Team captain, Michael Burns said: "This is a wonderful result for the team and for Irish golf in general. The team played well together and the efforts of all concerned have paid off.

"Winning two in a row is something special and shows the depth and strength of Irish golf."

It was Ireland's sixth European Team Championship victory following wins in 1965 (St George's, England), 1967 (Turin, Italy), 1983 (Chantilly, France), 1987 (Murhof, Austria) and 2007 (Western Gailes GC, Scotland).

The morning foursomes were shared with Shane Lowry and Gareth Shaw losing by one hole before Jonathan Caldwell and Paul Cutler won 3 and 1.

But Ireland surged ahead in the singles with Shaw beating Charlie Ford 2 and 1 before Portstewart man Cutler claimed his sixth win out of six matches with a 3 and 2 victory Chris Wood.

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney beat Matt Haines 3/2 to ensure another Irish victory in Europe as Caldwell halved with Sam Hutsby and Lowry lost 4 and 3 to Dale Whitnell.

Albert Lee, Honorary Secretary of the GUI, Albert Lee described the win as, "Brilliant, and a super day for Irish golf."

IRELAND 4.5, ENGLAND 2.5

Foursomes (Ireland 1, England 1)

Gareth Shaw (Lurgan) & Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) lost to Chris Wood & Sam Hutsby 1 hole; Paul Cutler (Portstewart) & Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye) bt Steve Uzzell & Dale Whitnell 3/1.

Singles (Ireland 3.5 England 1.5)

Gareth Shaw (Lurgan) bt Charlie Ford 2/1 Paul Cutler (Portstewart) bt Chris Wood 3/2 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) bt Matt Haines 3/2 Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye) halved with Sam Hutsby Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) lost to Dale Whitnell 4/3 Paul O'Hanlon did not play.