Another Maguire steps up
SLIEVE Russell’s Odhran Maguire took another step towards emulating his famous sisters Leona and Lisa when he was named as one of three new caps in the Irish Boys team for this month’s European Boys Team Championship.
Kilkenny’s Mark Power and Rosslare’s John Brady will make their third appearance at European level at Kaskada Brno in the Czech Republic from 10-14 July when Ireland will be trying to win the title for the first time in 20 years.
Lisburn’s Aaron Marshall, who currently leads the Bridgestone Boys International Order of Merit, will represent Ireland at the Europeans for the first time having been capped at the Boys Home Internationals in 2017.
The three new caps are Athenry’s David Kitt, Holywood’s Tom McKibbin and Maguire, who played in last year’s Under 16 Quadrangular Tournament at Prestatyn against Wales, England and The Netherlands.
Ireland finished sixth on their return to the top flight in Europe last year having clinched promotion with victory in Division 2 in 2016
Five of the six scores count on each of the two strokeplay qualifying days with the top eight teams competing for the trophy in matchplay.
Ireland last won the European Boys Team Championship in 1998 at Gullane, Scotland when City of Derry’s David Jones, Birr’s Justin Kehoe, Co Sligo’s Sean McTernan, Mallow’s Mervyn Owens, Shandon Park’s Robin Symes and Stackstown’s Michael McDermott beat hosts Scotland 4-3 in the final.
Ireland Boys Captain Alasdair Gibson (Knock) will accompany the side along with team manager Jimmy Duggan (Galway). Ireland - European Boys Team Championship, Golf Resort Kaskada Brno, 10-14 July: John Brady (Rosslare), David Kitt (Athenry), Tom McKibbin (Holywood), Odhran Maguire (Slieve Russell), Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Mark Power (Kilkenny).