By DARAGH SMALL
Ireland, captained by Tuam's Damien Coyne, will go in search of their first European Amateur Team Championship title since 2008 when they face hosts Estonia tomorrow.
Shane Lowry was one of the stars of Ireland’s team who won in Turin 18 years ago, while Rory McIlroy was also part of the winning side the previous year.
Now this group stand on the verge of history, thanks to their outstanding 4-3 win against reigning champions Italy at Estonian Golf and Country Club today.
Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth) and Thomas Higgins (Roscommon) teamed up for a crucial 1up win over Giovanni Binaghi and Michele Ferrero this morning.
And in the singles, a week before he takes on The Open at Royal Birkdale, Amateur Champion Stuart Grehan (Co Louth) secured a brilliant 4&3 win. That was quickly backed up by Tiernan (2&1) before Higgins fell short in his match.
Ireland required just one more point and it was former US Mid-Amateur Champion, Matt McClean (Malone), who provided the winning score. He beat Binaghi on tie holes to seal a tantalising place in tomorrow’s final.
“That experience going down the last especially, Giovanni stood up and hit one into trouble first. It’s a difficult tee shot and Matt had to stand up and hit his shot. He stood up to the pressure,” said Ireland Captain Damien Coyne.
“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.”
Ireland will look to rescue seventh place from the European Ladies’ Team Championship when they tee up against Italy tomorrow morning.
It was a tough day for Gillian O’Leary’s team as they came out on the wrong side of a 4-1 scoreline against Sweden in Slieve Russell.
Jessica Ross (Clandeboye) and Olivia Costello (Roscommon) teamed up for a resounding 5&4 victory in the opening foursomes match against Mira Berglund and Ebba Nordstedt.
However, Katie Poots (Knock) suffered a 3&2 loss against Meja Ortengren, and further defeats for Kate Dillon (Oughterard), Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) and Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye) ended Ireland’s chances.
Spain will aim for successive European Ladies’ Team Championships for the first time since 2007, when they face off against France in tomorrow’s final.
In a repeat of last year’s decider, where Spain defeated hosts France at Golf de Chantilly, the Spanish are now looking to replicate those heroics.
Elsewhere, Ireland booked their place back in Division 1 of the European Boys’ Team Championship next year after a thumping 5.5-1.5 win over Poland in Costa Navarino, Greece.
The Irish also reached the decider in Flight B of the European Girls’ Team Championship, having got the better of Belgium on a 4-1 scoreline in Zurich, Switzerland.
View the European Amateur Team Championship scoring here
View the European Ladies’ Team Championship scoring here
Cover Photo: Matt McClean in action in Estonia. Photo: EGA.
