West of Ireland:Ireland international Shane Lowry was denied by the narrowest of margins after losing the final of the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point to England's David Corsby after extra holes.

The Lytham & St Anne's golfer became the 87th winner of the championship after coming through sudden-death and winning against the defending champion at the first extra hole with a fine birdie.

In a closely fought contest Lowry seized the early advantage to go two-up after starting par, birdie. The Esker Hills golfer remained two up despite holing a 35 eagle putt at the third because the Englishman followed him from 35 feet.

Corsby won the next with par before leveling the match at the sixth when he made birdie. Seizing the initiative he added a further birdie at the short ninth to go one-up at the turn.

Lowry got back to all-square with a birdie of his own at the 11th.

In a thrilling match it became Corsby's turn to go ahead at the 12th when Lowry lost his ball and Corsby was in for birdie. The writing looked to be on the wall for Lowry when he went two-up with yet another birdie at the 15th.

However, Lowry stuck to his task and got one back when Corsby double-bogeyed the 17th before the Irishman forced extra-time with a birdie at the 18th.

At the first extra-hole it was Corsby who produced the defining moment when he hit his approach into one foot for the easiest of birdies, while Lowry could only manage par.

It was a match of high quality and, despite Corsby's low ranking in the amateur standings, he fired six birdies and an eagle at Lowry in the final.

"I'm overwhelmed really. I'm delighted to have won something," Corsby said afterwards. "I've been playing a while and haven't really won anything. It's a great start to the season – I couldn't ask for better than that."

Lowry took defeat in his stride. "I'm actually not too disappointed to be honest. I left a couple of putts out there in the middle of the round, and that's what cost me towards the end. But he holed everything. I was hitting it inside him all day and then he would hole it. It was amazing," said Lowry.

West of Ireland results

Final
David Corsby (Lytham & St Annes) defeated Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) 19th

Semi-finals
Lowry defeated Cian Curley (Newlands) 4 and 2
Corsby defeated Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) 1 hole