Golf:Ireland retained their Senior Home International title after coming through the winner takes all showdown with Scotland at Westport Golf Club in Mayo this afternoon.
The hosts laid solid foundations after picking up two-and-a-half from a possible three points in the morning foursomes.
Adrian Morrow and Maurice Kelly teamed up in the top match to deny Gordon McDonald and Sandy Pirie by one hole. Tom Cleary and Michael Quirke's victory was much more clear-cut as they trounced Robert Stewart and Derek Murphy 7 and 6, while Hugh Smyth and Seamus McParland halved with John Fraser and George Paterson.
The afternoon singles was less straight forward but experience from the 2008 European champions came through. Morrow and Stewart halved the top match while Ireland edged closer to victory with Kelly's 6 and 4 win over Fraser and Quirke's 6 and 5 victory against Murphy.
The successful defence was assured when McParland denied Paterson 5 and 3. Cleary and Smyth both lost but the overall victory was already assured as Ireland won 6-3.
Wales defeated England by 5- to take third place and consign the European Champions to fourth place.
IRELAND 6 SCOTLAND 3
(Ireland names first):
Foursomes:
Adrian Morrow & Maurice Kelly bt Gordon McDonald & Sandy Pirie 1 hole
Tom Cleary & Michael Quirke bt Robert Stewart & Derek Murphy 7/6
Hugh Smyth & Seamus McParland halved with John Fraser & George Paterson.
Singles:
Adrian Morrow halved with Robert Stewart
Maurice Kelly bt John Fraser 6/4
Michael Quirke bt Derek Murphy 6/5
Tom Cleary lost to Ian Hutcheon 3/2
Seamus McParland bt George Paterson 5/3
Hugh Smyth lost to Gordon McDonald 4/2
WALES 5 ENGLAND 4
(Wales names first):
Foursomes:
Garry Huggett & John Whitcutt bt Geoff King & Stewart King 1 hole
Phil Jones & Keith Stimpson bt Andrew Carman & Andrew Stracey 1 hole
Robert Broad & Mike Rooke bt Doug Arnold & Chris Reynolds 3/2
Singles:
Robert Broad lost to Chris Reynolds 1 hole
John Whitcutt halved with Andrew Stracey
Steve Hopkins lost to Geoff King 2/1
Garry Huggett lost to Andrew Carman 3/2
Keith Stimpson halved with Philip Slater
Phil Jones bt Stewart King 4/2
