Ireland's Philip McLaughlin (Ballyliffin) swept into the fourth round of the British Boys' Amateur Open Golf Championship after defeating Spain's Alegandro Canizares by 3 and 2 and then proved too strong for Nottingham youngster Christian Smith who had captured a major scalp the previous day by knocking out Scottish Boys' Champion Stephen Buckley.

McLaughlin (18) started in positive fashion, knocking in a 10-foot putt for a half in four at the first and then winning the next four holes to take command - rolling in putts of 20 and 25 feet on the fourth and fifth respectively. He was never in trouble for a 4 and 3 win and now faces Jon Ball of Nottinghamshire this morning.

There was bitter disappointment for Eoin Arthurs of Forrest Little who went down to Michael Nester at the fourth extra hole. Brian McElhinney from the North West club in Donegal looked set to make progress when he was three up with five to play against Lee Shepherd. But Shepherd fought back bravely to win on the third extra hole.

Michael McHugh from Ballinasloe fought gallantly against England Boys' captain Yasin Ali but went down by 3 and 2, while Co Sligo's Martin McTernan, after a 3 and 2 victory over J J Moore, lost by the same margin to Essex teenager Ross Wilson. Right at the end of the day Connemara's Derek McNamara went down by 3 and 2 to England Boys' International David Skinns after suffering a bad start.

Irish Results: Second round: L Shepherd (Cleckheaton and District) bt B McElhinney (North West) 20th; Y Ali (Ealing) bt M McHugh (Ballinasloe) 3 and 2; M McTernan (Co Sligo) bt J J Moore (Castletown) 3 and 2; W Quarry (Blairgowrie) bt J Fox (Portmarnock) one hole; P McLaughlin (Ballyliffin) bt A Canizares (Spain) 3 and 2; M Nester (Notts) bt E Arthurs (Forrest Little) 22nd; D McNamara (Connemara) bt R De Lacy Staunton (Hong Kong) 3 and 2; J Sierra (Spain) bt D Briden (Gold Coast) 5 and 3; Third round: R Wilson (Channels) bt McTernan 3 and 2; McLaughlin bt C Smith (Coxmoor) 4 and 3; D Skinns (Canwick Park) bt McNamara 3 and 2.