In hindsight, which is a great thing, all the damage was done in the foursomes. For Ireland, though, a brave fightback in the singles wasn't sufficient to enable them to overcome Wales in the second series of matches in the Boys' Home Internationals at Portmarnock Golf Club yesterday.

Ireland take on Scotland in today's final round of matches: the host nation don't want to be left with the "wooden spoon," and Scotland want to add the championship to the European crown they lifted last month.

The Scots appear to be in the driving seat, although a drawn match with England yesterday (at one stage they were up in nine of the 10 singles) complicated things slightly. It effectively means that Scotland must win today's match to guarantee themselves the title.

For Ireland, yesterday was a case of what might have been. A disastrous morning foursomes (after which they trailed 3 1/2 - 1 1/2) left them struggling. That they very nearly pulled it off, eventually losing 8-7 to the Welsh, was at least some consolation.

Ireland's only success in the morning foursomes came from the all-Banbridge pairing of Connor Doran and Richard Kilpatrick, while Derek McNamara and Kenny Fahey halved the top match. McNamara, playing for the last time at boys' level, provided the inspiration in his singles match with Robert Narduzzo for the fightback.

Three down after eight holes, McNamara turned the tie on its head by winning four of the next five holes and, ultimately, forged out a one-hole win over Narduzzo in the top match. Fahey, Philip McLaughlin, Eoin Arthurs and Martin McTernan were the other home winners in the singles while David Gannon fought back to win the final two holes to force a half. But it wasn't enough.

Scotland - who trailed 2-3 after the foursomes - dominated the singles but had to settle for a draw with England. Scotland have 1 1/2 points, both England and Wales have a point apiece, while Ireland have a half point.