GOLF/MULLINGAR SCRATCH CUP:KELAN McDONAGH from Athlone recorded his first senior success by winning the Grant Thornton-sponsored Mullingar Scratch Cup in difficult conditions at Mullingar yesterday.

Last year’s Irish Youths’ champion and a finalist in this year’s South of Ireland Championship, where he lost to Carlow’s John Greene, came from four shots back after 36 holes to win by two from Irish Close champion Dara Lernihan from the Castle.

In a swirling wind with intermittent rain, McDonagh but together rounds of 73, 70, 71 and 71 for a three-under-par total of 295, with Lernihan shooting 70, 69 73 and 75 for 287 – the only two players in the field to beat the par of 288.

McDonagh got within two shots of the lead after a morning round of 71 despite starting the day with a bogey five. He birdied the ninth and 13th for a three-round total of 214.

Lernihan’s troubles started when he bogeyed the 10th and double-bogeyed the 11th for a 73.

McDonagh played steady golf in the afternoon, reaching the turn in level par with birdies at the fourth and fifth being cancelled out by bogeys at the second and seventh.

He continued the good work on the final nine with birdies at the 12th and 16th to just one dropped shot at the 17th to see him home by two shots.

Last year’s winner, Conor Doran from Banbridge, made a brave effort to retain his title but in the end had to settle for third place on 292 after rounds of 71, 76, 74 and 71.

Conor Glynn from Carton House was next on 294 after carding 78, 70, 71 and 75.

Local Des Morgan (74, 75, 72, 74) and Rory McNamara from Headfort (74, 73, 71, 77) tied for fifth place.