Irish Seniors win European title

By Brian Keogh

Ireland's amazing golfing summer continued with victory in the European Seniors’ Team Championship in Slovenia.

Veterans Val Smyth, Nigel Duke, Tony Goode, Seamus McParland, Maurice Kelly and Hugh Smyth beat Scotland 3-2 in the final at Bled Golf Club on Saturday.

Duke and Val Smyth in the foursomes, and McParland in the singles, were narrowly beaten.

But victories in the singles by Goode and Kelly left the match tied at 2-2 before Hugh Smyth came back from one down with two to play to clinch the title at the third extra hole.

So far it has been a great year for Irish golf, topped by Padraig Harrington’s victory in the Open at Carnoustie and Rory McIlroy claiming the Silver Medal as leading amateur.

Ireland also won the European Amateur Men's Team Championship earlier this summer with Arthur Pierse taking the British Seniors Amateur Championship.