The Irish Women’s and Men’s Home Internationals team got their week off to a winning start when they defeated their hosts Scotland at Murcar Links.
Ireland raced into a 5-2 lead after the morning’s foursomes with Curtis Cup duo Sara Byrne (Douglas) and Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) winning their match 4&3 while the Lahinch pair of Áine Donegan and Aideen Walsh were victorious by the same margin.
Liam Nolan (Galway) and Luke O’Neill (Connemara) had a narrow 1up success with Ryan Griffin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) and Sean Keeling (Roganstown) 2&1 winners. Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) and Paul Coughlan (Castleknock) had a 3&2 win.
Coulter and Kate Lanigan (Hermitage) secured early wins for Ireland in the singles and Aideen Walsh tied her match. Meanwhile, Nolan, Keeling, Hugh Foley (Royal Dublin) and Thomas Higgins (Roscommon) also won their matches to help Ireland win on a 12-9 total scoreline.
The Men’s and Women’s team will turn their attentions to Wales tomorrow, with the Irish Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals team still searching for their first win.
They fell to a 13-8 defeat at the hands of Scotland at Conwy Golf Club, Wales yesterday. However, they had bounced back against England this morning and the teams were tied 3.5-3.5 after the foursomes.
Jack Murphy (Douglas) and Fionn Dobbin (Malone) put the first point on the board with a 3&1 victory while the pair of Mark Gazi (Tralee) and Robert Garry (Malahide) won their match 2&1. Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park) and Anna Abom (Edmondstown) teamed up for the 1up win for the girls’.
Nevertheless, England got on top in the afternoon and they finished the singles with a 11.5-9.5 victory. Dobbin, Finlay Eager (Royal Belfast), Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush), Roisin Scanlon (Woburn), Hamilton and Abom won their matches but they could not overhaul the lead.
Women’s and Men’s Home Internationals scoring
Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals scoring