Noel McGrane and son into the West
County Sligo Golf Club
Royal Dublin's Noel McGrane rolled back the years to qualify for the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Championship as his son Gary came through an eight-man playoff to join him.
Winner of the title in 1987, Noel (55) shot a one-over 72 in yesterday’s 18 hole qualifier at County Sligo to share top spot with The Island’s Jonathan Quinn, Greenore’s Jason Murphy and Stackstown's John McCarthy.
A field of 90 battled for just 12 places in the championship proper, which begins tomorrow with the first of two strokeplay qualifying rounds.
Karl McCormack, Shane O'Connor and Stuart Carter shot 73s to earn their spots but eight players who shot 74 had to play off for five places.
Tramore’s Charlie Dawson came through to join his brother Robin in the championship with Gary McGrane (28), Cian Daly, Ryan McNelis and Ryan O’Doherty the others to progress as Jonathan Hayden, Bob Loftus and Dominic Pollock missed out.
2018 West of Ireland Championship Qualifier, Co Sligo (Par 71)
(12 Qualifiers, after eight-way playoff for five spots on 74)
72 J Quinn (The Island), J Murphy (Greenore), N McGrane (The Royal Dublin), J McCarthy (Stackstown);
73 K McCormack (Portarlington), S O’Connor (Castlebar), S Carter (The Heritage);
74 C Daly (Castletroy), C Dawson (Tramore), R McNelis (Fintona), G McGrane (The Royal Dublin), R O’Doherty (Enniscrone);
(Non-qualifiers)
74 J Hayden (The Royal Dublin), B Loftus (Lahinch), D Pollock (Belvoir Park);
75 E Glynn (Lahinch), N Carroll (Galway Bay), J Maginn (Mourne), J Keane (Lahinch), C McCaughey (Dungannon), G Arthur (Carrickfergus), E O'Brien (Clontarf), D Flynn (Carton House), R McCormack (Palmerstown), A Smith (Mullingar);
76 R Browne (Castle), T Malone (Co. Cavan), K Daniels (Loughrea), E Long (Monkstown), S Dowling (the Island), C Henry (Strandhill), J Sabir (Moate);
77 M Murphy (Clandeboye), C Wallace (Dungannon), K Barry (Castlebar), K Bermingham (Castletroy), J Murray (Lee Valley), L Keyes (Dun Laoghaire), R Fitzpatrick (Naas), M Alvarez (Malahide), S O Neill (Co. Cavan), S Brady (Galway), M Healy (Kinsale);
78 L Bresnahan (Omagh), M McKenna (Dun Laoghaire), C Smith (Ballinamore), H Duggan (Kilkenny), C Hughes (Galway), D Leufer (Athenry), A Wynne (Strandhill), T Smyth (Castle), D Brazil (Castle Barna), K O'Meara (Grange), R Latimer (Knock), S Doyle (Black Bush), J McGrath (Dun Laoghaire), S Dixon (The Island), C Glennon (Glasson)
79 E McAleer (Omagh), E Murphy (Dundalk), E McKeever (Castle), D Kelly (Cill Dara), N Coen (Callan), S Alley (Co Tipperary), K Fitzsimons (Citywest), M Burke (Galway), C Dowling (Mallow), E Collins (Laytown & Bettystown), C Rayfus (Knightsbrook), R Clarke (Wexford), S Campbell (Ballyclare), L O'Meara (Tullamore), W Byrne (Baltinglass);
80 E Gaughan (Co. Sligo), L Casey (Roscommon), M O'Farrell (Galway), G Mann (Tullamore), R Newell (Dundalk);
81 C Murtagh (Balcarrick), P Carey (Nenagh), D Walshe (Castletroy);
82 R Mc Donnell (Adare), R Steedman (Courtown), I Halpin (Cahir Park), T Finnegan (Co. Sligo);
83 S Carroll (Castle Dargan);
84 R Corry (Clandeboye);
85 P Cunnane (Malone);
NR P Cox (Strandhill), L O'Sullivan (The Heritage).
