Kearney lifts South Championship cup

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney took the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch.

The Dubliner, 20, beat Paul O'Hanlon of the Curragh 4 and 3 to claim his first senior title.

Kearney said: "It's great. My first senior championship. I have been waiting of for a long time but I played great. There were no excuses today.

"I got off to a poor start in both matches but I came back well and showed a bit of character. I stayed patient all day and made some putts around the turn in both matches and managed to hold on."

Kearney came back from two down after seven holes to beat Aaron O'Callaghan of Douglas 3 and 2 in the semi-finals.

However, while O'Hanlon also came back from two down after seven to beat Lee Valley's Niall Gorey, he failed to produce his best golf in the final

While Kearney three putted the opening hole to go one down, he won the third, sixth and seventh with pars and the ninth with a birdie to turn three up.

Kearney lost the short 11th to a par three to see his lead cut to two holes but closed out the match with a winning par four at the 15th.

South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch GC

Semi-finals:

Paul O'Hanlon (The Curragh) bt Niall Gorey (Lee Valley) 3 and 2.

Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) bt Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas) 3 and 2.

Final:

Niall Kearney bt Paul O'Hanlon 4 and 3.