Dutch dash Irish hopes in Europeans

Rory McNamara has been one of Ireland’s top performers in Denmark. Ireland will have to settle for the battle for fifth place after suffering a bitterly disappointing 4-3 defeat to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the European Amateur Team Championships in Denmark.

After chiseling out a 2-0 lead following foursomes wins for Rory McNamara and Gavin Moynihan (22nd) and Jack Hume and Kevin Phelan (2 and 1), Pádraig Hogan’s side could win just one of the afternoon singles at Silkeborg. Match scores

Paul Dunne recovers from the pines. Gavin Moynihan beat Jeroen Krietemeijer 4 and 3 as Paul Dunne went down to Lars van Meijel by 2 and 1 in the top singles.

Things were still looking good at 3-1 but Robbie van West beat Phelan 2 and 1, Michael Kraay edged out Hume by one hole and McNamara was beaten 3 and 2 by Rowin Caron in the anchor singles.

Kevin Phelan lines up a putt at Silkeborg Ireland will now face hosts Denmark as the Netherlands take on England in the semi-finals with the winner to face Scotland or France for the title. Draw

It was also a disappointing day for Ireland in the European Boys Amateur Team Championship as they lost 6-1 to England in the quarter-finals at Murcar Links in Aberdeen. Overall results

Robin Dawson and James Sugrue won the foursomes by one hole but Roy Archibald’s boys were whitewashed 6-0 in the singles with Paul McBride the only player to take his match to the 18th.

While Ireland failed to make the top flight in the European Ladies Team Championship at Fulford in York, they beat Slovenia 4.5-0.5 to the Flight B quarterfinals and will take on Germany in the last four.

Paula Grant and Chloe Ryan won their foursomes and there were singles wins by one hole for Stephanie Meadow and the Maguire twins Lisa and Leona as Maria Dunne earned a half point.

At the European Girls Team Championship in Sweden, Ireland beat the Czech Republic 3-2 thanks to a foursomes win for Chloe Weir and Ariana Coyle Diez at the 19th and singles victories by Olivia Mehaffey (5/3) and Niamh McSherry (4/2). Scores

The Irish team will now take on Germany on Friday with the winner to face either Denmark or the Netherlands for ninth spot.

In the top flight, England will meet France in the first semi-final with hosts Sweden taking on Spain.

Gavin Moynihan tees off.Mick Burns observesJack Hume checks his yardage book