Golf: Ireland clinch sixth European championship title

Senior men’s team beat Denmark in tense 3-2 victory on PGA Sweden National course

Team captain Sean O’Leary with Eamon Haugh (Castletroy), Garth McGimpsey (Royal Portrush), Brian Hutchinson (Team Manager), Karl Bornemann (Douglas), John Mitchell (Tramore), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock) and Jim Carvill (Banbridge) following their victory. Photograph: Pat Cashman
Team captain Sean O’Leary with Eamon Haugh (Castletroy), Garth McGimpsey (Royal Portrush), Brian Hutchinson (Team Manager), Karl Bornemann (Douglas), John Mitchell (Tramore), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock) and Jim Carvill (Banbridge) following their victory. Photograph: Pat Cashman

Ireland clinched their fourth European Seniors Men's Team Championship triumph in five years with a tense 3-2 victory over Denmark on the PGA Sweden National course.

With the score locked at 2-2, Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock) held his nerve to beat Henrik Daugaard on the 21st to deliver the title to Ireland for a sixth time.

The Irish had knocked out hosts Sweden and old enemies England on their way to the final and opened the showpiece with a hard-earned victory in the foursomes – John Mitchell (Tramore) and Eamon Haugh (Castletroy) doing enough to claim a 2&1 success over Christian Langkilde and Kim Worm.

In the singles, Hans Peter Jacobsen beat former professional Jim Carvill (Banbridge) on the 19th and Karl Bornemann (Douglas) eased to a 5&4 victory over Tony Jensen to leave Ireland just one point from victory.

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Focus

However, Michael C Flindt saw off ex-Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey (Royal Portrush) 3&1 to draw Denmark level.

That meant all the focus was on game four between Morrow and Haugaard. And in a tense final clash, Morrow prevailed on the third extra hole to seal a thrilling victory.

And there was further success at the European Senior Ladies' Team Championship as Ireland clinched the bronze medal at Skalica, Slovakia.

Having lost 4-1 to England in the semi finals, Ireland went up against Germany and eased to a 4-1 success.

Sheena McElroy (Grange) and Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) put Ireland on the front foot with a 4&3 success in the foursomes.

East Berkshire's Laura Webb (4&3) and Portumna's Susanne Corcoran (4&2) went on to beat Heike Werres and Susanne Lichtenberg respectively to seal the win for Ireland. Catherine Reilly (The Heath) and Gertie McMullen (The Island) were then considered to have halved their games.