International co-Head Coach Barry Fennelly was both proud and pleased with his side’s fightback in the afternoon mixed foursomes as they levelled the scores at 18-18 with the USA heading into the Sunday singles at the Arnold Palmer Cup in Lahinch.
The Internationals led by the minimum after the opening day but were trailing 13-11 after the day two morning foursomes which saw Max Kennedy pick up a win alongside Calum Scott as Ryan Griffin, Kate Lanigan and Sara Byrne fell to defeats.
The hosts came roaring back in the afternoon and a closing eagle from Wenyi Ding and Louise Rydqvist levelled affairs, a scenario Fennelly would have taken at the start of the week.
“I think it’s a good result because we struggled a bit this morning in the foursomes,” explained Fennelly.
“The girls are extremely strong and I expected a few of the top matches (to win) early this morning and it didn’t happen and the guys rallied really, really well.
“So to come back out fighting again and start fast, I think we had a really good session this afternoon here. Again mixed foursomes is such a tough format for the players, playing something that most of them haven’t done and they’ve been absolutely superb.
“But listen, stuff like that at the last is just fantastic. An eagle finish by Wenyi Ding (hit approach to 8ft, holed by Rydqvist to tie it up at 18-18), you know, that’s great.
“You never want to be psychologically behind, so I think this is a pretty decent result. It’s so tight every day with the teams so well-matched, so we’ll take it and come out fighting tomorrow.”
There were thrilling wins for Kennedy and Byrne who came from two down after twelve holes to win 2UP with a closing birdie against Ben James and Amanda Sambach for their second successive win as a pair.
Meanwhile, in the group behind the newly christened “Ballybofey Bomber” Griffin and Lanigan came up agonisingly short on the 18th having been four down through 11 holes to Mary Kelly Mulcahy and Jackson Van Paris.
“The energy, the commitment level has been fantastic so pretty happy. Like anything, you’ll always look at a few holes there – Hannah Darling and Maichon were in a great game, but they just stumbled towards the end,” Fennelly added.
“Sara and Max have been sensational. They really rose to the occasion (with their comeback). Gutted for Ryan and Kate. They battled back after being three down at one stage, and they got an awful lie left at 18, and they were kind of forced to lay up. But they have been fantastic, and it is all to play for tomorrow.”
Kennedy/Byrne and Griffin/Lanigan were playing in back to back matches and their ties delivered a cracking atmosphere throughout with the bulk of the crowd remaining green side on 18 and erupting in celebration with the closing eagle for the Internationals in the final match.
With the weather set to potentially play ball on Sunday, Fennelly is calling on the Lahinch locals and even some tourists who may be on a summer break to line the fairways in support.
“Final day showdown in the Sunday singles it’s what everyone wants. We’ll come out fighting. The crowds here have been amazing from an Irish perspective it’s been superb as well. A huge part of this and the experience for the players has been getting the crowds out.
“I can’t commend our guys enough they have been fighting every day and we have some brilliant pairings out there who have shown their class. So if anyone is around and can come out and support us and watch some of the best amateurs in the world it would be great to have them.”