Ireland in command in Home Internationals: "The Irish never lie down"
Robert Moran (IRL) in action against Wales in the foursomes matches at the R&A Mens Home Internationals 2021, Hankley Common Golf Club, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, England. (© Golffile | David Lloyd)
Irish skipper John Carroll vowed that Ireland will not “lie down” as they seek victory over England and their 19th Home Internationals triumph at Hankley Common.
The boys in green followed victory over Scotland with an impressive 11-4 win over Wales and with Scotland beating England 10-5, Carroll’s charges are the only side with two wins from two and in with a great chance to lifting the Raymond Trophy for the first time since 2017.
“We just have to beat England to win the Home Internationals,” said Carroll, who is captaining the Irish team for the third and last time. “If you have told me that at the start of the week, I’d have taken it.
“We know it’s going to be difficult. It’ll be a tough match because England will come out fighting after losing to Scotland. The Irish never lie down, so the boys will be up for it.
“The message to the boys tonight is simple: every player has to go out and focus on winning his match because every match counts. We’ve got momentum, and we’ll try to use that against England to get off to a fast start.”
Scotland and England sit second and third on the points table with one point each, with Scotland having a better matches-won differential. Both teams can move level with Ireland on two points with victories on the final day.
If England defeat Ireland and Scotland beat Wales, matches won and lost will determine which of England, Ireland and Scotland is crowned champion.
Ireland won the foursomes 3-2 with wins for Robert Moran and Alex Maguire, Hugh Foley and Alan Fahy and the new pairing of Marc Boucher and Liam Nolan, who defeated Matt Roberts and Aled Greville by a resounding 6&5.
Jack McDonnell was rested for the singles and Caolan Rafferty recalled after suffering two defeats against the Scots.
The singles line up responded, winning the session 8-2.
In the top match, Robert Moran came from 2-down through six holes to beat James Ashfield 4&3 and maintain his 100% record in the competition over the two days with four wins from four.
There were defeats for Alex Maguire (his first from four matches) and Liam Nolan, but Ireland won the remaining seven singles, including three of the four matches that went to the 18th.
Matt McClean had the biggest win of the session with a 6&4 win over Greville.
All 11 members of the Irish team have scored points so far but beating England will not be easy despite their defeat to Scotland.
Scottish captain Matt Clark also wants to see the English win as they hope to beat Wales heavily and snatch the Raymond Trophy on points difference.
“We’ve got to ask England for a favour against Ireland,” he said. “We need England to win and us to get a big result against Wales, so it comes down to goal difference. We won it nine years ago doing exactly that, so hopefully, we can do it again.”
England captain Gareth Jenkins knows it’s all or nothing now.
“It’s disappointing,” Jenkins admitted. “We just didn’t get going, and it seemed quite flat. Scotland played incredibly well – every time I watched Scotland, they played a great shot or holed a putt.
“It’s not over by any stretch of the imagination.
“We’re disappointed, but they are a good bunch, and they will come out fighting again tomorrow. If we can come up with a good win against Ireland, fingers crossed, it will be enough on the points difference.
“Not once have I questioned anyone’s effort all week. It wasn’t for the lack of trying that we lost today. I know these players, and they can come back from this.”
Home Internationals, Hankley Common Golf Club
Wales 4-11 Ireland
Foursomes
James Ashfield and Luke Harries lost to Robert Moran and Alex Maguire 3&2
Kieron Harmon and Craig Melding beat Peter O’Keeffe and Matt McClean 3&1
Ben Chamberlain and Jacob Davies beat TJ Ford and Jack McDonnell 3&2
Matt Roberts and Aled Greville lost to Marc Boucher and Liam Nolan 6&5
Tomi Bowen and Tom Matthews lost to Hugh Foley and Alan Fahy 4&3
Singles
James Ashfield lost to Robert Moran 4&3
Luke Harries beat Alex Maguire 1 hole
Kieron Harmon lost to Hugh Foley 1 hole
Tim Harry lost to Peter O’Keeffe 2&1
Ben Chamberlain beat Liam Nolan 3&1
Matt Roberts lost to TJ Ford 1 hole
Tomi Bowen lost to Alan Fahy 1 hole
Jacob Davies lost to Marc Boucher 2 holes
Aled Greville lost to Matt McClean 6&4
Tom Matthews lost to Caolan Rafferty 4&3
