Ireland suffered an agonising tie with England as they opened the defence of their Home International title at Royal Portrush.
The battle was on a knife-edge throughout the day but Ireland, although without three key players in Paul Dunne, Gary Hurley and Cormac Sharvin, looked as they though they would squeeze home when Stuart Grehan came to the last one up against Paul Kinnear in the deciding match.
But Grehan,one of five new caps in the side, lost the demanding final hole after finding an unplayable lie in a bush – and that meant their game finished all square, leaving Ireland and England level at 7½ apiece.
It was Grehan’s reverse coupled with the middle order defeat of Robin Dawson, who also lost the last hole to Alfie Plant, that caused Ireland real anguish.
With Paul McBride also losing on the last hole to Sean Towndrow after a nip and tuck duel it was absolutely imperative that Grehan held on for at least a half but it was not to be.
Earlier the Irish edged to a 3-2 foursomes success thanks to South of Ireland champion Grehan and McBride winning the closing two holes against Kinnear and Jamie Bower.
In the singles Walker Cup player Gavin Moynihan was involved in a battle royale with double European champion Ashley Chesters before succumbing on the closing green while Jack Hume from Naas fought tooth and nail with established international Jimmy Mullen in the top of the order clash and they ended with honours even.
Colin Fairweather from Knock and last year's British Boys ' Championship runner-up Rowan Lester of Hermitage – both debutants – were thoroughly impressive as they recorded victories over Tomasz Anderson and Ashton Turner respectively.
Whitehead’s John-Ross Galbraith, recalled to the team, played a splendid anchor role always holding the upper hand against Bower as he strolled to a 3&2 triumph. Galbraith took his unbeaten run in international golf to eight games with this success.
In the other opening day match Scotland thrashed last year’s runners-up Wales 11½-3½. Ireland face Scotland today – and they know that to stand any chance of retaining their crown they must record a victory.
