Ireland¿s golfers have raced to a healthy lead over Scotland on the opening morning of the amateur Home Internationals at the Royal St Davids club in Wales.
The team, which includes five new caps, lead by three and a half matches to one and a half . The highlight for the Irish on a sunny morning at the Harlech links was the performance of Stuart Paul and Padraig Dooley, who crushed their opponents seven and six.
Darren Crowe and Gareth Maybin were the only Irish losers after going down four and three to former British boys champion David Inglis and Jamie McLeary, who were three under par for the 15 holes played.
Elsewhere, favourites England got their campaign for a ninth title in 10 years off to a successful start and lead Wales 3-2 requiring only to share the spoils in the afternoon singles to start with a victory.
Ireland v Scotland results:
Foursomes: C Moriarti and J Kehoe bt S Carmichael and J Doherty 3 and 2, N Fox and A McCormick halved with G Gordon and A McArthur, S Paul and P Dooley bt J King and S Jamieson 7 and 6, D Crowe and G Maybin lost to D Inglis and J McLeary 4 and 3, K Kearney and S McTernan bt S Wilson and E Ramsay 3 and 2
Foursomes result: Ireland 3 1/2 Scotland 1 1/2
England v Wales results:
Foursomes: R Finch and L Corfield lost to G Wright and J Williams one hole, G Clark and R Walker lost to N Edwards and S Manley four and two, Z Scotland and J Lupton bt A Smith and R Davies three and one, O Wilson and D Skinns bt L Harpin and D Price three and two, G Wolstenholme and J Elson bt C Smith and N Oakley four and three
Foursomes result: England 3 Wales 2