Ireland eye end to six-year Home Internationals drought
Chris Selfridge has been outstanding for Ireland with four wins out of four. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie
Ireland came back from 3-2 down after the foursomes to beat hosts Wales 8-7 and set up the chance to end a six-year drought when they face holders England on the final day of the Men's Home Internationals at Southerndown.
The boys in green haven't won the Raymond Trophy since Shane Lowry and Co triumphed at Muirfield in 2008. But they now stand on the brink of victory after they claimed the singles session 6-4.
Down in four of the five foursomes matches early on, Pádraig Hogan's charges trailed early when John-Ross Galbraith and Dermot McElroy lost 6 and 5 to Ben Westgate and Matthew Moseley.
Colm Campbell and Chris Selfridge hit back with a 4 and 3 win before Richard Bridges and Robin Dawson fell 4 and 3 to Owens Edwards and Lee Jones, leaving Wales 2-1 in front.
Ireland could still take the last two matches but it was a blow when Jack Hume and Gavin Moyihan lost the 18th and the match to Mike Hearne and David Boothe having fought back from three down after eight holes to level the match after 13.
All the pressure was on Gary Hurley and Paul Dunne, who had been two down after four. But they fought back to close out Jack Bush and Rick James in style, levelling the match at the 13th and then taking the 14th, 16th and 17th for a 3 and 1 win.
The singles was a tight affair especially with No 1 man Moynihan beaten 2 and 1 by Hearne and Cormac Sharvin, back in the line-up after being left out of the foursomes, falling to a 6 and 5 defeat to David Boote.
However, the middle order came up trumps with a brace of 4 and 3 wins for McElroy and Jack Hume and a 3 and 1 victory for Irish Close champion Galbraith over Ryan Davies giving him his first full point on his senior.
With the scores level at 5-5 with five matches out on the course, Ireland needed the tail to wag and were soon in front when the outstanding Selfridge beat Richard James 6 and 5 to take his tally for the week to four points out of four.
Bridges went down 2 and 1 to Bush in a tight match and while Campbell lost for the first time in three encounters, Ireland had too much experience in the anchor matches as Dunne beat Jones 2 and 1 and Hurley ralled from two down after two to beat Zach Galliford 3 and 2.
Scotland, beaten 10-5 by Ireland on day one, beat England 8-7 to keep their title hopes alive. But they must beat Wales convincingly on Friday and hope that England do them a favour and beat Ireland if they are to take the trophy.
The team for the clash with England looks a strong one though you have to feel for Stackstown debutant Bridges, who has been left out entirely.
Hume and Moynihan go again the foursomes with Sharvin restored to the line up alongside McElroy. Campbell and Selfridge will go off third with Galbraith taking over from Bridges as Dawson's partner in the fourth match.
Hurley and Dunne will be the anchor pairing while in the singles the order is:
- Moynihan
- Hume
- McElroy
- Selfridge
- Galbraith
- Dawson
- Campbell
- Sharvin
- Dunne
- Hurley
Day One
England 7.5, Wales 7.5
Ireland 10, Scotland 5
Day Two
England 7, Scotland 8 - scores
Ireland 8, Wales 7 - scores
Day 3 (Friday)
Scotland v Wales - Pairings
Ireland v England - Pairings
Standings
- Ireland P 2 W 2 D 0 L 0 F 18 A 12 Pts 2
- Scotland P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 13 A 17 Pts 1
- England P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 F 14.5 A 15.5 Pts 0.5
- Wales P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 F 14.5 A1 5.5 Pts 0.5
