Opportunity knocks in Estonia for Ireland at European Amateur 

Caption: John Doyle (Fota Island) Photo: EGA

Ireland captain Damien Coyne says his players could be using last year’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to fuel the fire ahead of tomorrow’s final four tie in the European Amateur Team Championships.

Ireland were hosts last summer when they came within one match of reaching the final, only to lose out narrowly against Denmark in Killarney.

However today that same team produced a stunning display to claim a 3.5 to 1.5 win over rivals England at Estonian Golf & Country Club and set up Friday’s semi-final with reigning champions Italy.

The experienced duo of Matt McClean (Malone) and Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) led the team out and defeated Sebastian Cave and Lewy Hayward 3&2.

Amateur champion, Stuart Grehan (Co Louth), who will play in next week’s Open at Royal Birkdale, lost out to Eliot Baker. But further 1up wins from Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth) and John Doyle (Fota Island) sealed a famous win.

Doyle, who is another one of the Irish players hoping to secure his place at the Walker Cup in Lahinch later this year, played an astonishing three wood from 280 yards uphill, to one foot on the final hole, to secure victory over Harley Smith.

“John hit probably the best shot I have ever seen to win a match. We couldn’t see it from where we were, but we knew it was on line. We just came up over the hill and the rest of the lads were at the green and told us the ball was a foot from the hole,” said Coyne.

“We played England a number of times last year, in Killarney as well, and just came out on the wrong end of it. It was nice to get one over on them. We were due, with the amount of times we played them over the last couple of years and came out on the wrong end of it.

“Italy are a really strong team. They snuck through the qualifying in eighth but they are a very experienced bunch. We know what we are going into tomorrow and we will have to play really really well to beat them. Two good teams, we will see what happens.

“We came here with the attention of competing and trying to win the thing. It is great to have the opportunity to do that. We will try our best tomorrow.” Ireland will look to bounce back tomorrow with fifth place still at stake in the European Ladies’ Team Championship at PGA National Slieve Russell.

Gillian O’Leary’s side came up against an impressive Spanish team who advance to the semi-finals after taking a clean sweep of victories in the morning Foursomes before securing victory in four of the five afternoon singles.

The Irish team had battled to a sixth-place finish in the Stroke Play qualifying yesterday afternoon and were met with the prospect of dethroning the reigning champions as the Match Play rounds began on Thursday morning.

The Foursomes would see the Spanish side take victories in both matches with Paula Martin Sampedro and Paula Davalos Guaita securing a 2&1 win over Kate Dillon (Ougterard) and Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) before Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea and Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio defeated Katie Poots (Knock) and Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye) by the same scoreline.

The afternoon singles saw Spain continue their momentum early and despite a late fightback from the Irish team, world number two Martin Sampedro (4&3) and Paula Francisco Liano (1 hole) secured the all-important two points.

“We are disappointed,” said O’Leary.

“It was a good battle all day, the Spanish are just really strong. We played some really good golf in patches. Their attitudes were just class, and they battled away all day. They played some fantastic golf. The Spanish were just better on the day. We'll regroup and get going again tomorrow.” “It's not a bad thing to be disappointed. That's how you learn. That how you raise the standards for the next time that we go out.”

Spain’s victory sets up a semi-final tie against Finland who came through a titanic battle against Sweden to secure a 4 to 3 win.

On the other end of the draw, France continued their impressive form with a 5-2 victory over Italy before England secured a 4.5 to 2.5 victory over Denmark.