Lowry through to quarters

Irish Close champion Shane Lowry cruised into this afternoon's quarter-finals of the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Lowry beat Belvoir Park's Barry Cashman 7 and 5 and will face Ulsterman Ryan Boal, who had a 3 and 2 win over James Monaghan.

Eddie McCormack beat Portmarnock's James Fox by one hole and will face big-hitting Michael Lavelle who had seven birdies in a 4 and 3 win over Ballymena's Alex McCloy.

Knock's Michael Sinclair birdied the 20th to beat JP Hughes in their delayed second round clash at Rosses Point.

Sinclair is three up after 11 holes of his third round clash with Portstewart's Paul Cutler with Dessie Morgan also three up at the same stage against Sutton's Derek Downie.

Local hope Gary McDermott and England's Jonathan Hurst are all square after after 11 holes.

Leading qualifier Andrew Hogan is also all square after all in his game with The Curragh's Paul O'Hanlon.

2008 West of Ireland Amateur Open

Round 3 latest

Eddie McCormack (Galway) bt James Fox (Portmarnock) 1 hole
Michael Lavelle (K Club) bt Alex McCloy (Ballymena) 4/3
Ryan Boal (Scrabo) bt James Monaghan (The Island) 3/2
Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) bt Barry Cashman (Belvoir Park) 7/5
Jonathan Hurst (Shawhill, UK) v Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo) all square @11
Andrew Hogan (Newlands) v Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) all square @ 11
Michael Sinclair 3 up v Paul Cutler (Portstewart) @ 11
Desmond Morgan (Mullingar) 3 up v Derek Downie (Sutton) @ 11.