Morrow wins at 21st to give Ireland European Seniors crown; Ladies win bronze
Sean O'Leary (Team Captain) with the victorious Irish Senior Men's European Team at Dublin Airport today (10/09/2017) on their arrival from Sweden.......Team members.....Eamon Haugh (Castletroy), Garth McGimpsey (Royal Portrush), Brian Hutchinson (Team Manager), Karl Bornemann (Douglas), John Mitchell (Tramore), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock) and Jim Carvill (Banbridge). Picture by Pat Cashman
Portmarnock's Adrian Morrow gave Ireland the European Senior Men's Amateur Team Championship for the sixth time in 12 years and fourth in five when he beat Denmark's Henrik Daugaard with a birdie at the 21st to secure a dramatic 3-2 at PGA Sweden National.
John Mitchell and Eamon Haugh combined for their third success of the week in the foursomes to put Ireland on the front foot and with Karl Bornemann taking his game 5 and 4, Ireland were just one point from victory.
Portmarnock's Adrian Morrow won the decisive point with a birdie at the 21st to give Ireland the European Senior Men's Amateur Championship for the sixth time since 2006. Picture: Pat Cashman
However, Jim Carvill was beaten at the 19th by Hans Peter Jacobsen and Denmark drew level when Michael C Flindt beat Garth McGimpsey 2 and 1 in the anchor leg.
All eyes were on the clash between Morrow and Daugaard and after finishing all square after 18 holes, the 64-year old Portmarnock veteran prevailed at the third extra hole.
After a good drive, Morrow held up a wedge into a strong cross wind and hit his 118-yard approach to eight feet before sweetly holing the putt.
"It was some day one of the best," Morrow reported. "I'm happy for the team. It was nearly dark so I'm not sure what would have happened if I had not made birdie.
"It was a nice way to finish off. It would have been a long walk back if we had been beaten!"
After captaining Ireland to a second win in three years in charge, Seanie O'Leary added: “We are delighted to go home with a European trophy. The six players that have represented us here this week are truly great ambassadors, not only for Ireland but for the game of golf.
“We knew from watching Denmark the first two days of match play that it was going to be a tight game. We were fortunate today, and I would like to extend my congratulations to Denmark as very worthy runners up.”
The trophy is back home 👍👍what a day pic.twitter.com/6QHBRniUhi
— eamonn haugh (@EamonnHaugh) September 9, 2017
What a day pic.twitter.com/zoQoQu4jGS
— eamonn haugh (@EamonnHaugh) September 9, 2017
Irish captain Seanie O'Leary with the trophy and his gold medal winning team
England beat Scotland 3.5-1.5 to take third place.
Bronze for Ireland in European Senior Ladies' Team Championship
At the European Senior Ladies' Amateur Team Championship, Ireland captured the bronze medal when they beat Germany 4-1 at Skalica Golf Resort in Slovakia.
As France beat England 3.5-1.5 to succeed Ireland as champions, Sheena McElroy and Carol Wickham won the foursomes 4 and 3 before Laura Webb beat Werres Heike by the same margin to put Ireland 2-0 ahead.
Suzanne Corcoran then claimed Ireland's third point with a 4 and 2 win over Susanne Lichetenberg.
