McGimpsey just four behind in hat-trick bid

Garth McGimpsey is bidding for a third successive Irish Seniors Close title. Picture © Pat CashmanGarth McGimpsey remains on track to win his third Tourism Malaysia-sponsored Irish Seniors Close title on the trot after a hard-fought 75 left him just four shots off the pace in near-perfect conditions at Portumna Golf Club.

Killiney’s Nigel Duke was the only player to break par on the first day, shooting a one-under 71 to lead by two shots from Tramore’s Rory Fitzgerald.

Irish Seniors Amateur Open champion Michael Quirke opened with a 75, while Portmarnock’s Adrian Morrow, Irish Seniors Order of Merit winner last year, started with a 76.

Irish Seniors Amateur Close Championship

Sponsored by Tourism Malaysia

Round 1 (Par 72)

71 N Duke (Killiney)

73 R Fitzgerald (Tramore)

74 H Smyth (Mourne), J Mitchell (Tramore), P Rogers (Dundalk), T Hayes (K Club), J Gilbert (Malone)

75 A Pierse (Tipperary), A Smith (The Island), D O’Donovan (Bandon), W Miscampbell (Malone), G McGimpsey (Bangor), M Quirke (Doneraile)

76 B Burke (Moate), A Morrow (Portmarnock), P Cowley (Cork), M Ahern (Skerries)

77 D Conway (Portmarnock), G Reeves (Limerick), S Hosty (Galway), D Morris (Limerick), J Harte (Portumna)

78 J Dempsey (Curragh), E Crawford (Mourne), D Corcoran (Thurles), S Prendergast (The Royal Dublin), K Heavin (Moate), M Eager (Lucan), A Smith (Blainroe), P Harrington (Muskerry), T Cleary (Cork), J Cuffe (Monkstown)

79 R McDowell (Royal Belfast), N Patterson (Milltown), M Coote (Tralee), S Coyne (Killarney), N Pyne (Ennis), B Donlon (Birr), J O’Malley (Rathdowney), B McDonnell (K Club), R Brooker (Skerries)

80 K O’Mahony (Galway), M Foley (Faithlegg), J McVeigh (Carlow), L MacNamara (Rosslare), I Smyth (Clandeboye), P Cooley (Portstewart), N Finnegan (Gort), J Cullen (Esker Hills)

81 P Hurst (Castlebar), M Donohue (Portumna), D Egan (Loughrea), W O’Brien (Ballykisteen), B Whitaker (Elm Park), B McCarroll (Ballyliffin), N Mannion (Dun Laoghaire), M Kelly (Killeen)

82 J Houlihan (Dooks), T Lilly (Slade Valley), J O’Donoghue (Tipperary), O McDonagh (Tuam), P Comerford (Corrstown), D Sheedy (Lahinch), L Horgan (The Heath), R Timlin (Galway), G O’Kennedy (Athlone), G O Keeffe (Waterford)

83 J Gilhooly (K Club), G Eagleton (Virginia), T Goode (Lucan), G Murphy (K Club), P Lynch (Slade Valley), M Galvin (Limerick)

84 L Troy (Thurles), M Martin (Clandeboye), L Galvin (Moate)

85 V Smyth (Co. Louth), N O’Riordan (East Cork)

86 M Darcy (Oughterard), P Fogarty (Moate), E Coughlan (Moate), D McHugh (Douglas)

87 K Lapsley (Dunfanaghy)

88 G Pierse (Lahinch), P Hautz (Delgany)

89 R Cotter (Delgany), D Noone (Balbriggan)

91 R Lynam (Moate)

93 L Wall (Cahir Park)

RTD E McMenamin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar)