Ireland win the 2010 Boys Home Internationals at Southerness

Press release from R&A 

Ireland have won the 2010 Boys Home Internationals after comprehensively defeating Wales on the final day of play at a blustery Southerness Golf Club in Dumfries and Galloway. Their 10 ½ - 4 ½ victory ensured that they would finish the event with two and a half points out of a possible three, edging out nearest rivals Scotland who finished in second place on two points.

The Irish, who have now won two of the last three Boys Home Internationals, led Wales 3 ½ - 1 ½ at lunchtime, before winning six out of their 10 singles matches and halving two in a dominant afternoon display. Today’s stand-out performance came from Gary Hurley who won his singles match 5&4 to remain unbeaten for the event, with five and a half points from a possible six.

The 17-year-old said: “I’m pleased with the way I played, but it’s fantastic to be part of a winning Irish team. It’s been a great week of golf on a great course.”

“Had it not been for Gary holing a putt for a half yesterday in the last game, Scotland would have won, so that was massive,” added Paul Dunne, a full Irish International who captained Great Britain and Ireland’s Jacques Leglise Trophy team during the 2009 match. “This morning we spoke about just getting the simple things right. We knew that if we did that, we would win today.”

“I’m really pleased with how the boys played, especially with the young lads: they were fantastic,” said Liam Martin, Ireland’s non-playing Captain. “And I can’t speak highly enough of the likes of Gary Hurley and Dermot McElroy, who didn’t lose at all this week.”

Scotland finished in second place after overcoming England this afternoon. They built on a one-point lead, which they had established after the morning foursomes, winning five singles matches and halving one to win 8 ½ - 6 ½.

Victories this afternoon came courtesy of Grant Forrest, Conor O’Neil and Daniel Hendry, as well as local players Liam Johnston of Dumfries and County Golf Club, and Southerness’ Scott Gibson, who, after losing his opening two matches on day one, won his next four by margins of no less than 4&3.

“I had a disappointing first day, but for the rest of it I played really well,” said Gibson. “Local knowledge helped a lot, so I was trying to pass that onto the boys through the week. It was cool to play well in front of people I know on my home course, which I’ve never seen looking this good.”

The majority of those who competed this week will now travel to the west coast of Scotland for the Boys Amateur Championship, which takes place at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club and Dundonald Links on 10 – 15 August. ( Fraser Thain playing - good luck !  ) 

For more detail please see R and A website or Scottish Golf View