Ireland wins first Triple Crown for 18 years

Ireland thrashed England 10-5 to end a five-year drought in the Home Internationals and an 18-year wait for the Triple Crown.

Just two months after retaining the European Team title in Italy, Mick Burns' stars completed a clean sweep over the home unions at Muirfield.

Following wins over Scotland and Wales, Ireland only needed a half with England to take the title for the first time since the 2003 edition at Ballybunion.

But they cruised to victory over the defending champions to claim the Triple Crown for the first time since 1990, when Padraig Harrington won all six of his matches and Paul McGinley won all of his singles.

Jonathan Caldwell, Shane Lowry and Paul Cutler were Ireland's stars and the trio will be going for global glory in next month's Eisenhower Trophy in Australia.

Delighted skipper Burns said: "Our confidence was high going into this week following our win at the European Team Championship in July and even with some debutants on the team, we felt we had what it takes to win the title back.

"The lads played superb golf all week and I'm very proud to work with such a great group of players."

Ireland beat Scotland 9.5 - 5.5 on the first day and then crushed Wales 11.5 - 3.5 to go into the final day as the only unbeaten nation.

Ireland 10 England 5
Foursomes:
J Caldwell & P Cutler halved with S Hutsby & D Whitnell;
P O'Hanlon & E Arthurs bt S Uzzell & J Abbot 6/5;
S Lowry & A Dunbar bt M Haines & T Shearrard 2 holes;
D Lernihan & C O'Malley lost to T Fleetwood & L Goddard.

Singles:
J Caldwell halved with D Whitnell;
P Cutler halved with S Hutsby;
S Lowry bt T Sherrard 4/3;
P O'Hanlon bt J Abbott 4/3;
C Curley bt S Uzzell 2/1;
N Kearney bt T Fleetwood 1 hole;
A Dunbar lost to T Adcock 4/3;
D Lernihan bt L Goddard 2 holes;
C O'Malley lost to M Haines 2/1;
S Ward halved with F Keenan.