GOLF NORTH OF IRELAND:WAYNE TELFORD of Rathmore goes deeper into unknown territory this morning when he tees off in the semi-finals of the North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The local 26-year-old had never gone farther than the first day of matchplay until this week, but yesterday negotiated the third round and the quarter-final with wins over Dunmurry teenager Noel Murray and Belvoir Park’s Harry Diamond.

Telford was two holes ahead of Diamond after eight but lost the ninth to a birdie four, then went back to two ahead when his opponent three-putted the 10th. Diamond narrowed the gap again with a birdie at 16 before Telford closed the deal with a pitch-and-putt birdie at the long 17th.

This morning he clashes with Moyola Park’s Paul O’Kane, and there is a possibility of an all-Moyola final this afternoon. Chris Selfridge is also through to the semis, but faces title favourite Paul Cutler.

Yesterday, O’Kane eliminated Rory McNamara of Headfort at the 20th, then beat international Cian Curley of Newlands 2 and 1.

Cutler, the East of Ireland champion, carved out a 3 and 2 win over City of Derry member Sean Morrison, who had come back from four down with six to play to beat Simon McConnell in the third round at the 20th.

Selfridge turned one up on Chris Carvill, but lost the 11th to birdie two before regaining the lead with par at 12.

The scratch 17-year-old shot two ahead with a par at Calamity Corner and the rest were halved for a 2 and 1 win – and a possible final meeting with his Moyola colleague O’Kane.