North of Ireland has a strong Sligo entry

GOLF: Six Sligo golfers, representing three local clubs, competed in this week’s North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Flying the flag for Sligo golf were Thomas Finnegan (County Sligo), Ruairi O’Connor (County Sligo), Ciaran Henry (Strandhill), Ryan O’Doherty (Enniscrone) and Conor Ruddy (Enniscrone).

A record entry of 300 players competed on two sister courses, Dunluce Links and Valley Links. Following two rounds of stroke play, which were played on Monday and Tuesday, the top 64 progressed to the matchplay section of the competition yesterday, Wednesday. Thomas Finnegan posted a score of

144 (72, 72) to be tied for 48th position, sufficient for him to progress to the matchplay stage, with Ruairi O’Connor carding a 147 (72, 75). O’Connor notably had the shot of the first round, a holein-one on the Valley’s 13th thanks to an 8-iron to 165 yards.

Ryan O’Doherty’s total after two stroke p[ay rounds was 152 (78, 74), with Ciaran Henry on 157 (77, 80). Conor Ruddy’s score was 155 (76, 79) and Tristan Probst was on 158 (76, 82).

Meanwhile, there are two Sligo entrants in this week’s Irish Girls Close Championship at Tramore Golf Club.

Vicki Conlon (Enniscrone) and Maebh McLoughlin (County Sligo) are in the field of 50 U-18 players vying for the title. This competition began yesterday, Wednesday, and concludes tomorrow, Friday.

Shane Underwood and Seryth Heavey, both of County Sligo, are among the participants in the Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Championship that got underway yesterday, Wednesday, at Waterford Golf Club.