The Irish Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals team put their two earlier defeats behind them with a convincing 14-7 victory over hosts Wales on the final day at Conwy Golf Club.
With Wales coming into today’s match also off the back of two losses, there was a lot to play for as neither team wanted to finish the three-day event with no wins to their name, and it was the Irish who made the quick start.
First out in the morning’s foursomes were Jack Murphy (Douglas) and Fionn Dobbin (Malone) who maintained their 100% win record as a pair with a resounding 5&4 win, following up their 3&1 and 1UP successes over their English and Scottish opponents respectively.
This early point on the board inspired the rest of the team, as the Irish youngsters went on to claim five of the remaining six points, including another 5&4 win from penultimate pair Anna Abom (Edmondstown) and Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park).
This meant Ireland carried a 6-1 advantage going into the afternoon’s singles, and despite the extensive lead, there was no letting up. Dobbin led out for the sixth straight time and once again delivered a point for his team, making it an amazing six wins from six for Ireland’s standout performer.
More points followed for the Boys’ as John Doyle (Fota Island), Rory Gallagher (Galway Bay), Harry McArdle (Warrenpoint) and Murphy all secured wins. En route to his 2&1 victory, Gallagher provided one of the highlights of the week with a hole-in-one on the Par 3 15th. His first ever ace gave him a 1UP lead that he refused to let slip.
Meanwhile the Girls’ matches were very closely contested, with Hamilton and Roisín Scanlon (Woburn) picking up wins, whilst Wales claimed two points of their own, with Abom and Kate Dillon (Oughterard) each earning a half.
The final result was 14-7 in Ireland’s favour, meaning the Irish Boys’ and Girls’ team finished in third place overall, with Scotland in second and England taking the title with three wins from three.