AN HISTORIC CLUB WITH A MAGNIFICENT GEORGIAN PARKLAND SETTING SINCE 1893

Pierce Purcell make bit of 'Paddy' of their match

Team captain Paddy Duffy was gutted after his Pierce Purcell team suffered defeat at the hands of Edenmore in the competition matchplay stages at Killymoon Golf Club on Sunday.

The County Armagh outfit had qualified in third place in the qualifing round at Killymoon two weeks ago and with a draw against Edenmore were confident they would progress.

After four matches against Edenmore however, it was all square, 2-2. And in a thrilling climax the final County Armagh pairing of Ian Millar and Paul Corvan required a win at the last hole to take the match into extra-time. Sadly they secured only a 'half' and their match was lost, Edemore clinching victory 3-2 and a place in the next round.

Earlier Paddy Hicks and John Lowe led the County Armagh challenge but suffered defeat on the final hole when their opponents sank a 30ft putt to win one-up.

Colin McIlroy and Mickey Cullen similarly looked to have secured the win leading by one hole with just one to play. But they too lost the last hole for their match to finish all square.

Declan Lenagh and Derek McKeever meanwhile, were two down with two to play, but recovered to halve their match. And Paul Wasson and Oisin Gill grabbed a win on the final hole after their match was level after 17 holes.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, the final match can determine the outcome and so it proved, County Armagh disappointingly made their exit.