Michael Sinclair warmed up for the Irish Amateur stroke-play championship when taking full points from his three matches as Ireland beat the Metropolitan Golf Association of New York 11-5 to win the Carey Cup at Portmarnock Links yesterday.

After wins in the foursomes and fourballs, new cap Sinclair, added Greg Rohlf to his list of victims when he beat the American by two holes. All square after nine, Sinclair holed from 15 feet for a winning birdie three on 14 and won the last when his opponent missed the green.

Needing four points from the singles, West of Ireland Champion, Noel Fox gave the Irish the ideal start when he was one under par for 16 holes in beating James Kilduff in the top match.

Paul Dickinson and Allan Small gave the Americans a glimmer of hope with victories over Jody Fanagan and David Dunne. Fanagan was two up after seven but Dickinson covered the next five holes in three under par on his way to a three and two win while Small was an easy eight and seven winner over an out of form David Dunne.

However, Ireland took four and a half points out of the last five matches with wins from Brian Omelia, Eddie Power, Andrew McCormack and Sinclair while Paddy Gribben came from two down with three to play to halve with Edward Gibstein.

Gribben won the 16th when he holed from 20 feet for birdie and after halving the 17th, Gibstein found a bunker off the 18th tee to let Gribben in for a deserved half.

Ireland: 11, MGA: 5

Singles: N Fox bt J Kilduff 3 and 2; J Fanagan lost to P Dickinson 3 and 2; D Dunne lost to A Small 8 and 7; B Omelia bt J Putman 4 and 3; E Power bt J Doppelt 3 ad 2; A McCormack bt J Thomas 1 hole; M Sinclair bt G Rohlf 2 holes; P Gribben halved with E Gibstein.

Singles Result: Ireland 5 1/2, MGA 2 1/2.

Foursomes: Ireland 3 1/2, MGA 1/2.

Fourballs: Ireland 2, MGA 2.