Double joy for Caldwell

By Brian Keogh

Walker Cup star Jonny Caldwell celebrated on the double when he stormed into the second round of the British Amateur Championship and retained his place on the Irish team.

The Clandeboye ace beat Dunbar's Alexander Culverwell 4 and 3 as Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney and Newlands' Andrew Hogan crashed out at Turnberry.

Caldwelll was then named on the six-man Ireland side to defend the European Team Championship title in Turin from 1-5 July.

But there was heartbreak for Castle's Dara Lerihan, who was left out despite finishing joint second in the East of Ireland and reaching the final of the Irish Close in recent weeks.

Caldwell holed the winning putt as Ireland won the European Team title for the fifth time last year and is one of three players to retain their places.

Shane Lowry and Gareth Shaw return to the team while Kearney, Paul Cutler and recently crowned Irish champion Paul O’Hanlon step up to European level having all played a part in the Home Internationals at Co. Louth in 2007.

Kearney bowed out of the British Amateur when he lost to Welshman James Frazer at the 19th while Paddy Harrington Scholarship student Hogan lost 2 and 1 to Spaniard Ignacio Elvira.