Ireland face Scotland in Home Internationals decider; Mulligan and Kerr progress in British Boys

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Rowan Lester (Ireland) driving at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Ireland’s hopes of retaining the Home Internationals for the first time since 1992 remain intact following Thursday’s hard-fought 9.5-5.5 win against Wales.

But Tony Goode’s charges must now finish the job by beating European champions Scotland if they want to keep the Raymond Trophy.

It won’t be easy after the Scots beat England 8-7 in a tight encounter. But with rookie Rowan Lester still unbeaten and with experienced pair Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan recovering from another foursomes defeat to win their singles at the top of the order, hopes are high in the Irish camp.

Having edged the foursomes 3-2 with Lester and Robin Dawson earning a crucial halved match, Ireland got the points they needed from the singles when Castle debutant Alex Gleeson beat Jack Davidson 3 and 2 in his first singles match as a senior international to decide the match.

Only a win will do for Ireland following Scotland’s narrow victory against England, which leaves them on course for the Triple Crown. 

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David Boote (Wales) playing from the rough at the 9th hole. Picture by Pat Cashman

The Scots took a 3-2 lead from the foursomes but England hit back in the singles, winning four of the first five. 

England were on course to take the match but Scotland came good at the bottom of the order and eventually prevailed thanks to Connor Syme’s 2&1 victory. 

Robert McIntyre, who recorded a 6 and 5 win against Ashton Turner, has been their leading performer this week with four points from four and he is the only player with a 100 per cent record at Portrush.

Hume and  Moynihan will lead the Irish challenge in the foursomes, which gets underway at 8.20am. 

Hume will again play at number one in the singles.

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Gavin Moynihan (Ireland) driving at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

British Boys Amateur Championship — Co Louth's Thomas Mulligan and Royal Portrush's Peter Kerr made it into the last 32 at Royal Birkdale.  Scores

Mulligan beat Scotland's Will Porter 3 and 2 as Kerr had a 4 and 3 win over Spain's Angel Hidalgo Portillo.

Mulligan now faces Ferdinand Frederick Mueller of Germany for a place in the last 16 with Kerr taking on Denmark's Christoffer Bring, a quarter-finalist last year. 

Day 2 - Ireland foursomes, Gavin Moynihan interview, Tony Goode interview from Golfing Union of Ireland on Vimeo.

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Dermot McElroy (Ireland) playing from the rough at the 9th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

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Matt Clark (Scotland) holes the winning putt at the 18th green during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

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Rowan Lester (Ireland) prepares to play his second shot to the 9th green. Picture by Pat Cashman

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Reach for the sky.......Rowan Lester (Ireland) checking the wind at the 12th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches. Picture by Pat Cashman

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Colm Campbell (Ireland) hits at the 14th hole during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush. Picture by Pat Cashman

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Ashley Chesters (England) bunkered at the the 11th green during the second day of the 2015 Home International Matches at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Home Internationals, Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links)
Supported by Fairstone Financial Management Ltd

Day 2 (Thursday 13th August)

Ireland 9.5 Wales 5.5 (Ireland names first)

Foursomes

1. Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume lost to David Boote & Tim Harry 2/1
2. Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather beat Owen Edwards & Richard James 2/1
3. Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester halved with Jack Davidson & Tom Williams 
4. Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan beat Ben Westgate & Joshua Davies 3/2
5. John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell beat Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford 2 holes

Singles

1. Jack Hume beat David Boote 2/1
2. Gavin Moynihan beat Michael Hearne 2/1
3. Dermot McElroy lost to Owen Edwards 4/3
4. Colin Fairweather lost to Ben Westgate 3/2
5. Rowan Lester beat Richard James 4/3
6. Alex Gleeson beat Jack Davidson 3/2
7. Stuart Grehan lost to Tom Williams 3/2
8. Colm Campbell beat Tim Harry 4/3
9. Paul McBride beat Zach Galliford 7/5
10. John Ross Galbraith lost to Joshua Davies 6/5

Scotland 8 England 7 (Scotland names first)

Foursomes

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald halved with Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen 
2. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank halved with Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson 
3. Matt Clark & Barry Hume beat Alfie Plant & Dan Brown 6/5
4. Robert McIntyre & Connor Syme beat Paul Kinnear & Sean Towndrow 5/4
5. Craig Ross & Craig Howie lost to Ashton Turner & Jamie Bower 1 hole

Singles

1. Jack McDonald lost to Ashley Chesters 2/1
2. Graeme Robertson lost to Jimmy Mullen 2/1
3. Daniel Young beat Joe Dean 1 hole
4. Barry Hume lost to Dan Brown 1 hole
5. Greig Marchbank lost to Alfie Plant 2/1
6. Matt Clark beat Ben Taylor 1 hole
7. Craig Howie beat Tomasz Anderson 1 hole
8. Ryan Campbell lost to Sean Towndrow 3/2
9. Robert McIntyre beat Ashton Turner 6/5
10. Connor Syme beat Paul Kinnear 2/1 

DAY THREE - SCHEDULE

England v Wales (England names first)

Foursomes (7.30am at 10-minute intervals):

1. Ashley Chesters & Jimmy Mullen v David Boote & Tim Harry
2. Ben Taylor & Tomasz Anderson v Owen Edwards & Joshua Davies
3. Joe Dean & Dan Brown v Jack Davidson & Tom Williams
4. Alfie Plant & Jamie Bower v Ben Westgate & Michael Hearne
5. Ashton Turner & Sean Towndrow v Evan Griffith & Zach Galliford

Singles (12.30pm at nine-minute intervals)

1. Ashley Chesters v David Boote
2. Jimmy Mullen v Joshua Davies
3. Joe Dean v Owen Edwards
4. Dan Brown v Richard James
5. Alfie Plant v Tim Harry
6. Tomasz Anderson v Ben Westgate
7. Sean Towndrow v Tom Williams
8. Paul Kinnear v Evan Griffith
9. Jamie Bower v Jack Davidson
10. Ashton Turner v Michael Hearne

Scotland v Ireland (Scotland names first)

Foursomes (8.20am at 10-minute intervals)

1. Graeme Robertson & Jack McDonald v Gavin Moynihan & Jack Hume
2. Connor Syme & Robert McIntyre v Dermot McElroy & Colin Fairweather
3. Daniel Young & Greig Marchbank v Robin Dawson & Rowan Lester
4. Barry Hume & Matt Clark v Paul McBride & Stuart Grehan
5. Craig Howie & Craig Ross v John-Ross Galbraith & Colm Campbell

Singles (2pm at nine-minute intervals)

1. Jack McDonald v Jack Hume 
2. Robert McIntyre v Gavin Moynihan
3. Graeme Robertson v Paul McBride
4. Daniel Young v Colin Fairweather
5. Barry Hume v Alex Gleeson
6. Matt Clark v Dermot McElroy
7. Craig Howie  v Rowan Lester 
8. Ryan Campbell v Robin Dawson
9. Greig Marchbank v Colm Campbell
10. Connor Syme v John Ross Galbraith