European boys Irish eyes - particularly those of veteran captain Jimmy Green from Dublin - were smiling at Gullane on Scotland's East Lothian coastline yesterday at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds of the 19th European Boys Team championship.

Ireland, who won the Boys home international title for the first time at Royal North Devon last year under Green's leadership, maintained that brilliant form to be the European Boys' number one seeds for the first time.

The Irish moved up from second place behind Wales overnight by slashing 24 shots off their first-round team effort to total 738 - 10 ahead of Spain, who are bidding to become the first country to win the championship three years in a row.

Wales dropped back to third qualifying spot, one ahead of England, with France fifth, Italy sixth, Scotland seventh and Finland the surprise team in the last of the eight spots.

Ireland's low scoring hero in the much more favourable weather conditions for the second round was David Jones, from City of Derry, with a two-under-par 69 (33 36).

Justin Kehoe, from Birr, repeated his fine opening round of 70 and was the only player in the field of 108 to break the par of 71 in both outings.

Sean McTernan, from Co Sligo, and Mervyn Owens from Mallow both matched the par of 71. Robin Symes (Shandon Park) had a 76. Michael McDermot from Stackstown had a non-counting 81.

Ireland play surprise packet Finland in the first round today and, after that, they should play the winners of the England v France tie.