Ireland shock England in semis

By Brian Keogh

Ireland reached the final of the European Men's Amateur Team Championship in Scotland after a dramatic 4-3 win over England on Friday.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick sealed a final showdown with France when he came back from one down with three to play to beat Gary Boyd on the 18th.

After sharing the foursomes 1-1, Ireland grabbed the first singles match when Rory McIlroy beat Jamie Moul 4 and 2 at Western Gailes.

England were ahead in the other four ties at one stage but Shane Lowry's 2 and 1 win over Paul Waring gave Ireland hope before Kilpatrick's late win.

Scotland led 2-0 against France after the foursomes but could only manage a half from the five singles.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT - SEMI-FINALS

IRELAND 4, ENGLAND 3
Foursomes (1-1)
R McIlroy & J Caldwell bt G Boyd & D Horsey 3 and 2.
R Kilpatrick & G Shaw lost to J Moul & G Wolstenholme 5 and 4.
Singles (3-2)
S Lowry bt P Waring 2 and 1.
McIlroy bt Moul 4 and 2.
Caldwell lost to Horsey 2 and 1.
Kilpatrick bt Boyd 1 hole.
S Ward lost to Wolstenholme 5 and 3.

SCOTLAND 2 1/2, FRANCE 4 1/2
Foursomes (2-0)
L Saltman & K McNicoll bt A Kaleka & A Bernadet 3 and 2.
R Ramsay & J King bt J Wolff & P Relecom at 20th.
Singles (1/2-4 1/2)
Saltman lost to R Bechu 2 holes.
K McAlpine lost to Bernadet 5 and 4.
McNicoll lost to Wolff 1 hole.
King halved with V Dubuisson.
Ramsay lost to Kaleka 3 and 2.

SPAIN 4, WALES 1
Foursomes: 0-1
I Elvira & P Erice lost to R Thomas & C Evans 3 and 2.
Singles (4-0)
J Campillo bt R Davies at 20th.
J Sarasti bt R Enoch 1 hole.
I Urquizu bt N Edwards 3 and 2.
J Lagarrea bt L Matthews at 19th.

SWEDEN 2, DENMARK 3

FLIGHT 2

NETHERLANDS 5, Germany 0.
Portugal 2, NORWAY 3

Finland 1, BELGIUM 4.
AUSTRIA 3 1/2, Switzerland 1 1/2.

FLIGHT 3

TURKEY 3, Czech Republic 2.