Ireland face Estonia for first European Amateur Team Championship gold since 2008
Matthew McClean claimed the winning point on the 19th to give Ireland a 4-3 win over holders Italy in the European Amateur Team Championships and set up a clash with hosts Estonia for gold.
Ireland won the most recent of its six European crowns in 2008, when Shane Lowry was a member of the team that retained the title in Turin.
Tied after the two morning foursomes, singles wins for Walker Cup players Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan left Ireland on the brink before McClean beat Giovanni Binaghi on the 19th to secure a place in the final against Estonia, who beat France 5-2.
“That experience going down the last especially, Giovanni stood up and hit one into trouble first,” said Ireland Captain Damien Coyne.
“It’s a difficult tee shot and Matt had to stand up and hit his shot. He stood up to the pressure
“We’re delighted, we were looking good for a while and then at the end it looked like it could go either way. It was nice to get one when we lost two matches on tie holes last year in Killarney. It was nice to come out on the right side.
“This is a huge challenge. A few of them are members of the course we are playing on. They are really good players playing on a course they are very familiar with. We will have it all to do tomorrow.
“But at the same time that brings its own pressure, being the local team. We have to do what we have been doing the last couple of days, go out and get a strong start. If we get up on them early, hopefully our quality will show over the course of the day.
“It’s a huge opportunity, it would be great. Stuart’s win last month was a great lift for Irish golf and this would be another one. I have no doubt if the lads perform to the best of their abilities they can get the job done.”
In the European Ladies Team Championship at Slieve Russell, Ireland lost 3.5-1.5 to Sweden and face Italy for seventh place as France meet holders Spain in the final.
At the European Girls’ in Switzerland, Ireland beat Belgium 4-1 and face Denmark for ninth place as Spain play England for the title.
There was also good news for the Irish Boys in Division 2 at Cost Navarino in Greece, where they beat Poland 5.5-1.5 to secure promotion to Division 1 next year and a gold-medal match with Finland.
