Sport

Irish pair hoping to emulate Garcia in Young Masters

Amateur Scene: Two young Irish players eager to follow in the footsteps of Spanish star Sergio Garcia and win the European Young…

Shay Keenan
Tue Jul 12 2005 - 01:00

Amateur Scene: Two young Irish players eager to follow in the footsteps of Spanish star Sergio Garcia and win the European Young Masters in Austria next week (July 21-24th) are Royal Dublin's Gary McGrane and Liam Reilly from Galgorm Castle.

Ryder Cup ace Garcia won the title in 1995.

The under-16 event will be played at Styrian Golf Club, near Murhof. The field will play three rounds of strokeplay. Last year the title went to Zack Gould of Wales, with Ireland's Rory McIlroy fourth.

In a busy time for underage players, the Boys and Youths Interprovincials take place at Dundalk (July 19th-21st). Simon Doherty, a two-handicapper from Belfast's Fortwilliam club and the new Munster Boys champion, heads defending champions Ulster's seven-man team.

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Doherty, coached by Peter Hanna and a key player in the Downview Avenue club's Fred Daly Trophy team due to contest the Ulster semi-final against Belvoir Park, won the Munster title at East Clare by one stroke from Magherafelt student Paul O'Kane.

Doherty and O'Kane are among four newcomers to the Ulster team, which also includes James Patterson (Royal Portrush) and Paddy MacMahon (Belvoir Park).

Dungannon's Fergal Rafferty, who finished third in Munster, is retained along with Philip Graham (Galgorm Castle) and David Leathem (Lisburn).

The team's non-playing captain, John Boyd of Lisburn, said: "I feel we have a strong side. Unfortunately, we cannot again select Liam Reilly of Galgorm Castle, because he represents Ireland in the European Young Masters in Austria. But we can still do well with this side."

Alan Glynn from the Porters Park Club in England leads the Connacht team, while the Leinster team will be selected after the Leinster Boys Championship at Skerries GC, starting today.

In the Youths, Munster, with three internationals, must fancy their chances. Cian McNamara, the former British Junior Open champion will have the assistance of Aaron O'Callaghan and Séamus Power, while Leinster have the in-form Brian O'Connor, Neil O'Brien, runner-up in the Athlone Senior Scratch Cup at the weekend, and Paul O'Hanlon.

Rory McIlroy leads an Ulster side that also includes experienced players in Harry Diamond, Nicky Grant and Gareth Shaw.

Martin McTernan (Co Sligo), Michael Mulryan (Athenry) and Cathal O'Malley (Westport), who all performed well in the recent championships, carry the torch for the western province.

Meanwhile, Ireland's hopes of a third international success in two years disappeared when they could only finish sixth in the European Women's Team Championship in Sweden.

The Irish, with three of the Vagliano team - Claire Coughlan, Martina Gillen and Tricia Mangan - that will take on the Continent of Europe at Chantilly this month in the side, struggled against the stronger sides.

Captain Sheena O'Brien Kenney was naturally disappointed. "We went to Sweden with high hopes but we just did not play as well against Sweden as we are capable of doing. These things happen in golf."

Spain retained the title with a 5-2 victory over England in a match closer than the scoreline suggests, as three of the matches went in their favour at the 19th.

The Irish Girls team also found the going tough when finishing 14th on their first trip to the European Team Championships held in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Ireland lost 3-2 to Austria in their initial outing, losing two matches on the 18th green. Their second match saw them lose by the odd match to Finland.

Ireland made the top flight of eight teams after the 36 holes strokeplay qualifying rounds in the European Boys Team Championship at Monticello in Italy.

However, in the first round they lost out to Norway, who reached the final but lost to the Netherlands. Ireland scored wins over Spain and Scotland to finish in fifth place overall.

ULSTER BOYS: Simon Doherty (Fortwilliam), Paul O'Kane (Massereene), Fergal Rafferty (Dungannon), James Patterson (Royal Portrush), Philip Graham (Galgorm Castle), David Leathem (Lisburn), Patrick MacMahon (Belvoir Park). Non-travelling reserves: Garth Boyd (Donaghadee), Paul Reavey (Warrenpoint).

CONNACHT BOYS: Barry Donohue (Athenry), Alan Glynn (Porters Park), Stephen Healy (Claremorris), Shane K Kelly (Ballinasloe), Tony McDaid (Co Sligo), Tommy McGowan (Strandhill), John McNicholas (Ballyhaunis). Non Travelling Reserve: Simon Ginty (Tubbercurry).

MUNSTER BOYS: Ian Bermingham (Mahon), Simon Gallivan (Killarney), Ciarán McKenna (Mallow), Brian O'Donovan (Bandon), Kevin Jer O'Sullivan (Glengarriff), David Ruddy (Thurles), Patrick Sheehy (Newcastle West).

ULSTER YOUTHS: Harry Diamond (Holywood), Nicky Grant (Clandeboye), Chris Hughes (Royal Portrush), Ciarán McAleavey (Banbridge), Brendan McCarroll (Ballyliffin), Rory McIlroy (Holywood), Gareth Shaw (Lurgan).

LEINSTER YOUTHS: Gregory Carew (Edenderry), Paraic Connolly (Clontarf), Cian Curley (Newlands), Neil O'Briain (Royal Dublin), Brian O'Connor (Hermitage), Paul O'Hanlon (The Curragh), David Rawluck (The Island). Non-travelling reserve: Thomas O'Neill (Rathsallagh).

CONNACHT YOUTHS: James Barton (Ballinasloe), Aidan Dooley (Athlone), Martin McTernan (Co Sligo), Michael Mulryan (Athenry), Ciarán O'Connor (Athlone), Cathal O'Malley (Westport), Thomas Walsh (Claremorris). Non-travelling Reserve: Garth McManus (Co Sligo).

MUNSTER YOUTHS: Keith Crowley (Lee Valley), David Daly (Muskerry), K McGarry (Bandon), Cian McNamara (Limerick), Aaron O'Callaghan (Douglas), Thomas O'Flynn (Fota Island), Séamus Power (West Waterford). Non travelling reserve: Graeme Dunlea (Killarney).