Top qualifier Richard Kilpatrick was dumped out of the Golfsure-sponsored Irish Amateur Close Championship in the big shock of the opening day of matchplay at Cork yesterday.

Kilpatrick was beaten in the last 32 by Newlands' Cian Curley on the 18th hole, when the Banbridge man conceded while trailing by a hole with no hope of recovery.

Curley, who finished third in the qualifying, had already lost to the in-form 25-year-old at the West of Ireland this year, which gave him an extra incentive for a cracking win.

"He beat me in the West of Ireland this year so I was gunning to beat him, but that win really gives me confidence going into the next rounds," Curley said. "It was a really good match and he's the best player in the country at the moment, so to beat him was a good feeling."

Kilpatrick was close to selection for the Walker Cup after his splendid form which earned him a runner-up place in the Irish Amateur Open as well as a win in the East of Ireland.

But, barring a massive finish at the British Amateur Open next week, his chance may have gone along with hopes of a second big title in the space of two weeks.

One Walker Cup hopeful who did manage to scrape through to the last 16 was Jonathan Caldwell, who beat Edenderry's Greg Carew on the first play-off hole.

Caldwell was trailing two down and looking out of the race after a drive into the rough and under the trees on the 15th, but he produced a marvellous shot to 10 feet and won with a par, before winning the 17th.

The Clandeboye man looked destined to snatch it on the final hole but a spectacular bunker shot from Carew took it down the 19th, where the Edenderry man three-putted to gift Caldwell the win.

"It was a disappointing end to a great game, to be honest, but I really made hard work of it," said Caldwell.

Pat Murray, the current international who was the only amateur to make the cut at the Irish Open at Adare Manor, was also knocked out, by Waterford's Ian Murphy in the first matchplay round.

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney was beaten on the second play-off hole in a tense match with club counterpart Neil O'Briain in the last 64, while Shane Lowry of Esker Hills is through to the last 16, along with fellow international Séamus Power, after both scored easy victories.