Keeling bests Nolan as four Irish make last 32 in Spanish tests

Royal Dublin's Richard Knightly. Picture: Pat Cashman

Roganstown teenager Sean Keeling and Royal Dublin’s Richard Knightly progressed to the last 32 of the Copa del Rey in Tarragona as Aideen Walsh and Marina Joyce Moreno advanced in the Copa de la Reina in Cadiz.

Keeling (16) never trailed as he beat Galway’s Liam Nolan 1-up on the Lakes Course at Infinitum as Knightly fought back from two down after seven to beat Dutchman  Lars Van Der Vight 1-up.

Marc Boucher lost 4&2 to Frenchman Darren Strachan while Robert Brazill fell two down to Germany’s Tim Wiedemeyer.

In the women’s event at La Reserva de Sotogrande, Joyce Moreno was two down after 11 holes to Denmark’s Anna Hjerrild Behnsen before battling back to win with a birdie three on the 18th.

While there were defeats for Katie Poots (2&1 to Spain’s Andrea Revuelta), Olivia Costello (7&6 to Finland’s Anna Backman) and Kate Lanigan (4&3 to England’s Maggie Whitehead), Lahinch star Walsh joined Joyce Moreno in the last 32.

She was two down after five holes to England’s Isla McDonald O’Brien before going on to win on the 19th.

Walsh plays Spain’s Chloe Amion in the last 32 as Joyce Moreno faces Ines Archer of France.

In the men’s event, Knightly meets Switzerland’s Nicola Gerdhardsen - runner-up to Peter O’Keeffe after a playoff in the 2021 Irish Amateur Open at The European Club, while Keeling takes on Spain’s Pablo Perez.

Copa del Rey Matchplay draw

Copa de la Reina Matchplay draw