Coulter taking nothing for granted in AIG Irish Women's Close bid

Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle). Picture: Thos Caffrey/Golffile

Title favourite Beth Coulter has vowed not to underestimate Edmondstown's Anna Abom in today's semi-finals of the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Grange.

Beaten in last year's final, the Kirkistown Castle star (18) struggled in strokeplay qualifying to deal with the mantle of favourite, but she re-set and beat Tramore's Anna Dawson 5&3 before seeing off Croham Park's Canice Screene 7&5 in the last four.

"I played way better than in stroke play," Coulter said. "I think I need to get stroke play over me. Coming into the event, people were saying that because I came second last year, I'd have to win it this year, and I let that pressure get to me.

"I re-set then in the match play and have come out and played really really good golf."

She faces a challenging task against Abom (15), who overcame Ballykisteen's Caitlin Shippam 4&3 before ousting leading qualifier Aideen Walsh from Lahinch on the 19th.

"At this stage, you can't underestimate anyone," Coulter said. "Everyone is playing well and I'll just have to keep the game I had today going into tomorrow."

In the other half of the draw, Clandeboye's Girls international Rebekah Gardner will face 2017 champion Sara Byrne from Douglas after they beat Royal Portrush's Laura Webb and Kilkenny's Jan Browne (respectively.

Meanwhile, Moyola Park's Kayleigh Mulholland (14) won the Ita Wallace Plate, claiming the 18th and 19th to defeat Foxrock's Jenny Maguire.

"I putted quite well and my short game was very good," Mullholland said. "I tried my best, and I am delighted to get the win."

AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship, Grange

Detailed scoring Championship / Ita Wallace Plate

Round 2:

A Walsh (Lahinch) bt Nicola Coffey (Woodbrook) 2 up

A Abom (Edmondstown) bt C Shippam (Ballykisteeen) 4&3;

A Dawson (Tramore) lost to B Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) 5&3;

C Screene (Croham Hurst) bt K Fleming (Elm Park) 1 hole;

O Costello (Roscommon) lost to L Webb (Royal Portrush) 3&2;

R Gardner (Clandeboye) bt A Donegan (Lahinch) 3&2;

C Coughlan (Douglas) lost to Jan Browne (Kilkenny) 21st;

S Byrne (Douglas) bt K Poots (Knock) 2 holes.

Quarter Finals:

Walsh lost to Abom 19th;

Coulter bt Screene 7&5;

Webb lost to Gardner 3&2;

Browne lost to Byrne 6&5

Semi-finals:

(0830) A Atom (Edmondstown) v B Coulter (Kirkistown Castle);

(0840) R Gardner (Clandeboye) v S Byrne (Douglas).

Final (13.30).

Ita Wallace Plate

Semi-Finals:

K Mulholland (Moyola Park) bt S Sharp (Royal Tara) 6&5;

E Pang (Portarlington) lost to J Maguire (Foxrock) 4&3.

Final:

Mullholland bt Maguire 19th.