Ireland wins European Amateur title

By Brian Keogh

Ireland captured the European Men's Amateur Team Championship for the first time in 20 years with a 4 1/2 - 2 1/2 triumph over France on Saturday.

Winners of the title in 1965, 1967, 1983 and 1987, Mick Burns' men pulled off a major surprise at Western Gailes in Scotland by taking the title for the fifth time.

Star player Rory McIlroy was beaten twice on the final day but Ireland showed their strength in depth to take three and a half points from the five singles.

McIlroy suffered a 5 and 4 defeat alongside Jonathan Caldwell in the foursomes, but Irish champion Shane Lowry and Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick beat Jean Wolff and Kenny Le Sager by two holes to square the tie and set up a fascinating singles battle.

In the afternoon, McIlroy crashed to a 3 and 2 defeat to Romain Bechu in the top match but Ireland would only drop half a point after that.

Esker Hills' Lowry, Kilpatrick and Clandeboye's Caldwell all won their singles matches comfortably with Co Louth's Simon Ward halving with Wolff.

Hosts Scotland beat defending champion England 4-3 to claim third place.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

FRANCE 2 1/2, IRELAND 4 1/2
Foursomes: 1-1
Alexandre Kaleka & Adrien Bernadet bt Rory McIlroy & Jonathan Caldwell 5 and 4.
Jean Wolff & Kenny Le Sager lost to Shane Lowry & Richard Kilpatrick 2 holes.
Singles 1 1/2-3 1/2
Romain Bechu bt McIlroy 3 and 2.
Victor Dubuisson lost to Lowry 5 and 4.
Bernadet lost to Kilpatrick 3 and 2.
Kaleka lost to Caldwell 3 and 2.
Wolff halved with Simon Ward.

3RD PLACE PLAY-OFF

SCOTLAND 4, ENGLAND 3
Foursomes: 1-1
James Byrne & Keir McNicoll bt Paul Waring & John Parry 3 and 2.
Jonathan King & Richie Ramsay lost ot Jamie Moul & Gary Wolstenholme 2 and 1.
Singles: 3-2
Kevin McAlpine lost to Parry 4 and 3.
McNicoll lost to Waring 6 and 4.
Lloyd Saltman bt David Horsey 4 and 3.
King bt Gary Boyd 3 and 2.
Ramsay bt Wolstenholme 2 and 1.

5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
SPAIN 4 1/2, DENMARK 1/2

7TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
SWEDEN 3, WALES 2

9TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
NORWAY 3, NETHERLANDS 2

11TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
GERMANY 3, PORTUGAL 2

13TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
BELGIUM 3, AUSTRIA 2

15TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
FINLAND 3 1/2, SWITZERLAND 1 1/2

17TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
ICELAND 3, CZECH REPUBLIC 2

19TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
ITALY 3, TURKEY 2

Final standings
1 Ireland
2 France
3 Scotland
4 England
5 Spain
6 Denmark
7 Sweden
8 Wales
9 Norway
10 Netherlands
11 Germany
12 Portugal
13 Belgium
14 Austria
15 Finland
16 Switzerland
17 Iceland
18 Italy
19 Czech Republic
20 Turkey