Extra time heartache for Leonard

Brian Keogh at Rosses Point

Rory Leonard suffered extra time heartbreak at Rosses Point when he lost to Mullingar's Dessie Morgan at the 19th in near darkness.

The Banbridge man looked certain to make the last 16 of the West of Ireland Championship when he went three up with three to play.

But Morgan finished birdie-par-birdie to force sudden-death and then closed out the match with a winning par at the 19th.

Ironically, Knock's Michael Sinclair was standing on the 20th tee in his second round match with JP Hughes of Douglas when they agreed to continue their battle at 7.50 this morning.

It was a mixed day all round for Ulster hopes with Portstewart's Paul Cutler, Ballymena's Alex McCloy, Ryan Boal and Belvoir Park's Barry Cashman the only players through to the third round.

Five Irish internationals bit the dust including Banbridge's Connor Doran, who fell in the first round to the Island's Robert McCarthy.

Co Louth’s Simon Ward also fell at the first hurdle while defending champion Joe Lyons, Newlands’ Cian Curley and and injured Niall Kearney all departed in the afternoon.

Knock's Nicky Grant lost by one hole to Irish Close champion Shane Lowry after a titanic battle.

All square with two to play, Lowry holed a 35-footer for a winning birdie on the 17th and then looked on as Grant lipped on from six feet the last to force extra holes.