Dermot McElroy is determined to end his 10 year wait for victory in the North of Ireland before it’s too late.

The Ballymena international, 23, plans to turn professional next year and after losing in the final to Alan Dunbar in 2010, he knows this year is his last chance.

Following a 4 and 3 win over Dean Crawford in the last 16 followed by a 6 and 4 win over Paul Reavey in the quarter-finals, McElroy faces Irish Close champion Tiarnan McLarnon in the first of the semi-finals with Galgorm Castle’s Jordan Hood taking on Maynooth University team mate Sean Flanagan from Co Sligo in the other.

“This is the tournament when I was 10, 11 and 12 I always came down to watch and I always wanted to win it,” McElroy told the GUI website. 

“I’m happy with the way things are going and the way I’m playing. My iron play is very good. I’m hitting my driver straight as well which in recent times I haven’t.”

Hood and Flanagan are housemates at Maynooth University, where both are members of the Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship Programme.

North of Ireland Amateur Open, Royal Portrush GC

Today - Semi-finals

1. Dermot McElroy v Tiarnan McLarnon
2. Jordan Hood v Sean Flanagan

Quarter-finals

1. Dermot McElroy bt Paul Reavey 6/4 
2. Tiarnan McLarnon bt Owen Crooks 2 Holes 
3. Jordan Hood bt Marc Nolan 3/2 
4. Sean Flanagan bt Ross Dutton 2 Holes 

Third round

1. Paul Reavey bt William Russell 19th
2. Dermot McElroy bt Dean Crawford 4/3
3. Tiarnan McLarnon beat Conor Purcell 3/1
4. Owen Crooks bt Colm Campbell 4/2
5. Jordan Hood bt Aaron Kearney 3/2
6. Marc Nolan bt Declan Reidy 20th
7. Sean Flanagan bt Ben Best 1 hole
8. Ross Dutton bt Garth Boyd 3/2.