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Highly-rated Ireland fail to make top flight

European Amateur Team Championship Ireland's captain Mark Gannon could not hide his disappointment last night at the failure…

Thu Jun 30 2005 - 01:00

European Amateur Team ChampionshipIreland's captain Mark Gannon could not hide his disappointment last night at the failure of his much heralded side to qualify for the top flight - effectively the quarter finals - in the European Amateur Team Championship at Hillside, Southport.

They had left themselves a tough task in the second round having been in ninth place overnight and, though they improved by l4 strokes that was still nowhere near enough. Other countries also stepped up a gear and they missed out by six strokes.

"Naturally it is bitterly disappointing but the truth of the matter is that our players did not perform to their potential and were left wanting, particularly around the greens. All we can do now is just fight for the best possible finish - ninth place, and we will give it our all with that aim," said Gannon.

Ireland set out with high hopes, especially with a player of the calibre of British Amateur champion Brian McElhinney in their ranks but even he could not inspire them.

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Rory McIlroy, the l6-year-old Irish Close champion had every reason to be pleased with his second day display as he improved by eight strokes on the opening round, halves of 36 and 35 giving him a highly creditable 71 yesterday.

But the best Irish performance was produced by Sean McTernan, the County Sligo player, who had level halves of 35 for a 70, an improvement of six strokes on the previous day.

Reinstated amateur Jim Carvill failed to sparkle, handing in a 79 on Tuesday and a 75 yesterday. He carded only two birdies over the two days. Darren Crowe posted a 74 with Michael McGeady joining Carvill on 75.

Today Ireland face Iceland as they start out on their bid to win the second flight and end up in ninth position in Europe.

FLIGHT ONE: 704 England. 706 Wales. 709 Scotland. 712 France 722 Spain 734 Germany 735 Switzerland 736 Italy. First round draw: England v Italy; Wales v Switzerland; Scotland v Germany; France v Spain.

FLIGHT TWO: 740 Denmark. 742 Ireland (S McTernan70, R McIlroy 71, B McElhinney 74, D Crowe 74, J Carvill 75. Discarded: M McGeady 75). 744 Netherlands, Sweden. 748 Austria, Finland. 761 Norway, Iceland.

FLIGHT THREE: 764 Portugal. 778 Belgium. 788 Czech Republic. 791 Slovenia.