Lowry reaches West semi-finals

Shane Lowry will be bidding for the chance to emulate Rory McIlroy when he takes on Irish team mate Cian Curley in the semi-finals of the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

McIlroy was the last player to successfully defend the title in 2006 and Lowry has a chance to match him this week.

The Esker Hills international beat local favourite Tommy McGowan 3&2 in the quarter-finals as Curley survived a late comeback by Castle's Jim Mulready to win by one hole.

In the bottom half of the draw, Lowry will be wary of the threat from South of Ireland champion Niall Kearney, who cruised to a 3&2 win over Limerick's Pat Murray.

Kearney will take on Royal Lytham's David Corsby who beat Irish Alan Dunbar from Rathmore by two holes at County Sligo this afternoon.

West of Ireland Amateur Open

Quarter-finals

Cian Curley (Newlands) bt Jim Mulready (Castle) 1 hole

Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) bt Tommy McGowan (Strandhill) 3&2

Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) bt Pat Murray (Limerick) 3&2

David Corsby (Royal Lytham) bt Alan Dunbar (Rathmore) 2 holes

Semi-final draw

(8.0) Curley v Lowry

(8.15) Kearney v Corsby