Walker Cup blow for Kearney

Alan Dunbar will carry Ireland's hopes into Sunday's final 36 holes of the St Andrews Links Trophy after Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney missed the cut.

Winner of the Brabazon Trophy three weeks ago, Kearney's hopes of Walker Cup selection suffered a setback when he followed a first round 72 on the New Course with a 79 on the Old to finish two strokes outside the top 40 and ties on eight over par.

He was in good company as a host of Walker Cup squad members such as Irish Amateur Open champion Gavin Dear, Charlie Ford, Keir McNicoll, Eddie Pepperell, Tom Sherreard, Steven Uzzell, Dale Whitnell and Gordon Yates also failed to qualify.

Kearney went to the turn in one under par but lurched home in 44 with bogeys at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 17th punctuated by a quadruple bogey eight at the 13th.

West Waterford's Seamus Power also missed out after an 81 on the Old Course but Dunbar from Rathmore in Portrush is tied for fifth, just four strokes behind leader Paul O'Hara on one over par.

The Ulster lad followed a 71 on the New Course with a one over par 73 on the Old.

O'Hara leads by two shots on three under par from Rhys Enoch, who lost his brother Ben in a tragic car accident just a few weeks ago.