Ireland retained the Cardigan challenge cup when they halved the boys' international match with Wales at 10 matches each at the Island Golf Club yesterday.

In a dramatic finish to the second game Sean McTernan was the Irish hero when he finished with three birdies to halve his match with Mark Anderton on the 18th

Three down with three to play McTernan holed from 20 feet on 16 to start the revival. An eight-foot birdie putt on 17 cut the deficit to one and when he pitched to seven feet at the last the Co Sligo player holed to give Ireland the vital half point.

On a day of high wind which made club selection difficult, Ireland lost the morning foursomes 3-1 which left them trailing by one point going into the afternoon's eight singles.

Mervyn Owens lost the top match 5-4 to David Price but wins for James McCracken, Derek McNamara, Darren Crowe, Mark O'Sullivan and McTernan's half meant that Ireland as holders retain the trophy for another year.

Results: Foursomes: S McTernan halved with D McNamamara, lost to D Price; J Simkiss 1 hole, M O'Sullivan and P McDonald bt R Thomas and M Anderton 2/1; M Owens and M Poucher lost to P Harris and R Narduzzo 4/2; J McCracken and D Crowe lost to G Bennett and G Dobson-Jones 3/2. Foursomes results: Ireland 1 Wales 3. Singles: M Owens lost to D Price 5/4, J McCracken bt J Simkiss 2/1, S McTernan halved with M Anderton, P McDonald lost to P Harris 1 hole; D McNamara bt R Thomas 3/2, D Crowe bt R Narduzzo 3/2, M Poucher lost to G Bennett 4/3, M O'Sullivan bt G Dobson-Jones 5/4. Singles: Ireland 41/2 Wales 31/2

Match result: Ireland 10 Wales 10.

Senior international training at Club Quinta Do Peru, near Lisbon, was dominated by four-ball partners Gary Cullen and Andrew McCormick. The 14-member squad were supervised by national captain Mick Craddock and coach Howard Bennett.

In an appropriate climax to the week's activities, Ireland whitewashed the Portuguese national team 7-0 in a fourball match.