Kitt aiming for teenage kicks in last four

ATHENRY teenager David Kitt can become the youngest winner of the AIG Irish Amateur Close since Rory McIlroy in 2006 after he cruised into the semi-finals at sun-kissed Galway.

The pint-sized 17-year-old schoolboy beat Belvoir Park’s Patrick Brennan by two holes and big-hitting Cairndhu talent Ryan McKinstry 5&4 on a course he knows well.

He now meets former Boys international Marc Norton from Belvoir Park for a place in the final as the unheralded Castleknock hope Paul Coughlan (25) takes on Warrenpoint’s Jamie Fletcher (21) having ousted internationals Sean Flanagan and Robin Dawson on the 18th.

“It’s all a bonus,” said plusone handicapper Kitt, who was giving up nearly 50 yards to McKinstry off the tee but went bogey-free to win on the 15th.

“I am playing well enough to win, so I am just going to try and keep it going and see what happens,” he said.

“There’s no special game plan – just hit the fairways and hit the greens and try to hole a few putts.

IMPRESSIVE

“Anyone who gets to this stage has to be a good player, so I have nothing to lose.”

Kitt faces former Boys international Norton (20), who followed a 3&1 win over Mullingar’s Liam Grehan with an impressive 2&1 victory over Dundalk international Caolan Rafferty, who beat Galway’s Ronan Mullarney 3&2 in the morning. Coughlan came from one down with three to play to beat Co Sligo’s Flanagan by one hole, then held firm to beat Tramore’s Dawson by the same margin in the afternoon.

“Hopefully, I can keep it going,” Coughlan said.

“It’s been my best week to date. I was second in Connacht Stroke Play last year, but that’s nothing compared to this.”

Former Boys international Fletcher beat Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley 3&1 before seeing off Co Sligo’s Cian Feeney 2&1.

“I was in the quarters two years ago and lost, but I felt a bit more comfortable today,” Fletcher said.

“I think I have a good chance now if I keep playing the way I am.

“If I can get a few more putts dropping, I will be hard to beat.”