Cian McNamara shot an impressive 73 today in very testing conditions to stay in contention at Moyvalley.  High winds hampered golfers all day with the later starters suffering the most.  McNamara’s solid round means that he’s in 7th place and just four shots off the lead.  David Higgins also carded a 73 and he’s in 12th place.  David Barry had one of the best rounds of the afternoon, his two over par 74 has him on +1 for the tournament and in a tie for 15th place.

Ciaran McKenna is tied for 36th place after a second round 78.  He’s on +8 for his first 36 holes.  David Ryan looked like missing the cut after a second round 78, but the afternoon scores saw him jump a few places and he made it through to the weekend right on the cut mark of +11.  Padraig Dooley, Stephen Hayes, Ronan Collins and Conor Coyne all had round in the 80’s and missed the cut which was limited to the top 50 plus ties.  Daniel Crowley and Peter Hickey also missed the cut after poor opening round yesterday.  The lead in the 106th PGA Irish Championship is held by Colm Moriarty who’s attached to Cork based Drive Golf Performance.

Don Macfarlane and amateur partner Darren Burns had no joy today in the second round of the Lombard Trophy Grand Final in Vilamoura.  The East Cork pair carded a 73 which meant they finished just outside the top 10.

East Cork Ladies were in action this afternoon in Dundalk for the final of the AIG Senior Foursomes.  Despite leading in all three  matches for much of the afternoon, Royal Portrush pegged them back and won when the middle match was finally settled on the 19th.  It was very disappointing for the golfer and all of the supporters who traveled to support their team.

The advantage was with East Cork on the front nine as they were 1 up, 2 up and 1 up, respectively. Royal Portrush never gave up but East Cork’s Grace McGrath and Sarah O’Brien held their nerve in the top match and secured a 1up victory. The game changed in the final few holes for the second and third matches, in favour of Royal Portrush. Past Girls International Naoimh Quigg and partner Carol Corrigan went down the 19^th, Quigg stitched her chip, guaranteeing a five for the win after an unfortunate three putt from East Cork.

The final match also went down the 19^th and the Royal Portrush pairing triumphed again, with Vivienne Houston and Shauna Park securing the vital point.

East Cork 1 Royal Portrush 2
Grace McGrath & Sarah O’Brien (14) beat Helen Jones & Heidi Simpson (14) 1up
Lillian Harrington & Deirdre Ryan (16) lost to Naoimh Quigg & Carol Corrigan (15) on the 19^th
Deirdre O’Mahony & Mairead Ní Mhurchu (18) lost to Vivienne Houston & Shauna Park (16) on the 19^th