Ireland begin Octagonal Trophy with draw
Robert Brazill (Naas). Picture Pat Cashman
Ireland's men's team drew 4.5-4.5 with Portugal in the first series of round-robin matches in the Octagonal Trophy at Club de Golf Costa Ballena in Spain.
They will face holders Spain today before the taking on the Czech Republic. The eight teams are divided into the Red and Blue groups with the group winners facing each other for the title on Friday and the remaining teams facing off for the minor places.
Spain beat the Czech Republic 6.5-2.5 in the other Red Group match yesterday.
In the Blue Group, England beat Germany 5-4 as the Netherlands defeated Italy 6-3.