Scots finish second and England third after win over Wales

Ireland champions again after crushing 11-4 

over Scotland on fnal day at Royal Portrush

FROM THE IRISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
 Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan led from the front as
 Ireland chalked  a final-day 11-4 victory against Scotland to retain the Raymond Trophy on home soil at Royal Potrush.
For the first time since 1992, Ireland successfully defended the Home Internationals, supported by Fairstone Financial Management, thanks to a dominant display in the singles against the Scots. 
Leading 3-2 from the morning foursomes, Hume and Moynihan delivered telling victories at the top of the order and with eight points coming Ireland's way in the singles, it was almost a procession in the end. 
Leading points scorer Colm Campbell got Ireland over the line when he claimed his fifth win of the week.

The final margin, 11-4, was a fair reflection of a superb Irish performance.

"These weeks are brilliant when you win. All the boys are buzzing," said Naas star Jack Hume, who played at number one in his bid to cement a place at September's Walker Cup. 
"I felt if I had a good week, it would probably give me a real good chance of being on the (Walker Cup) team. I just need to wait and see. I really want to be on the team," said Hume and his captain, Tony Goode, is confident Hume will be among a record number

 of Irish players at Lytham.

"When I spoke to Jack at the start of the week, I told him I was going to put him up front and he'd have to deliver. And he certainly did and he certainly impressed the selectors who were here," said Goode. "I'm hoping that we'll have five players in the Walker Cup team."

Whatever  the final make-up of the GB and I team, Ireland's second successive win at the Home Internationals confirms their recent
superiority among the Home Nations

"It's a great endorsement of the quality of Irish golf. And it's great for the future of Irish amateur golf," said Goode, who had five newcomers in his side at Portrush.
 Knock's Colin Fairweather enjoyed a dream debut, collecting five points from a possible six, while Alex Gleeson and Rowan  Lester both contributed to the winning tally against Scotland.
 Gleeson was simply awesome in the singles and his 5 and 4 return against reinstated amateur Barry Hume was the biggest win on the last day.
 Lester was heading for a similar result but Matt Clark made him sweat until the 18th by winning four holes in a row. The 19-year-old from Hermitage eventually got the win he deserved with a gutsy par on the last.

"I was so pleased for the rookies, it was a fantastic performance from them," said team captain Goode. "It's the start of a building phase for Irish amateur golf. I have great hope for the future."

In the here and now, there was nothing but good vibes around the 18th where Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell was unveiled as the player of the championship, having won five and a half points across three days.

"Last year was a great achievement. I won my first three matches and lost my last three so I was a bit disappointed that I didn't contribute a wee bit more," said Campbell, who made his international debut at Southerndown for the Triple Crown success 12 months ago. This time around Campbell was the only unbeaten player, thanks to a perfect
 foursomes record alongside John-Ross Galbraith.

"The big turning point was on Thursday  in the foursomes against Wales. We were really up against it and we won four of the last five holes to win,"
said Campbell, who also produced a gutsy half in the singles on the
opening day against England when Ireland were in danger of being beaten.

"I fought hard to get back into the game. That half point turned out to be crucial as well. I knew once I took him down 18 and got a half point that I was playing nicely and putting well," said Campbell, who finished  the week in style with a tap-in birdie at the 15th to wrap up his match and seal the decisive point for Ireland.
 In the battle for third place, England overturned a 4-1 deficit from the foursomes against Wales to run out 8.5-6.5 winners.

But the day belonged to Ireland.

"To  win it on a world class golf course like this was very special," said Irish captain Goode. "It was a big stage for them and they came up trumps."

LAST-DAY RESULTS

SCOTLAND 4, IRELAND 11
Scotland names first

Foursomes (2-3)

Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald lost to Gavin Moynihan and  Jack Hume 2/1

Connor Syme and Robert McIntyre lost to Dermot McElroy and Colin Fairweather 1 holes

Daniel Young and Greig Marchbank bt Robin Dawson and ; Rowan Lester 3/1

Barry Hume and Matt Clark bt Paul McBride and  Stuart Grehan 2/1

Craig Howie and Craig Ross lost to John-Ross Galbraith and Colm Campbell 2 holes

Singles (2-8)
Jack McDonald lost to Jack Hume 3/2
Robert McIntyre lost to Gavin Moynihan 2/1
Graeme Robertson bt Paul McBride 2/1
Daniel Young lost to Colin Fairweather 2/1
Barry Hume lost to Alex Gleeson 5/4
Matt Clark bt Dermot McElroy 1 hole
Craig Howie lost to Rowan Lester 1 hole
Ryan Campbell lost to Robin Dawson 3/2

Greig Marchbank lost to Colm Campbell 4/3
Connor Syme lost to John Ross Galbraith 1 hole

ENGLAND 8.5, WALES 6.5
England names first

FOURSOMES (1-4)
Ashley Chesters and Jimmy Mullen lost to David Boote and Tim Harry 3/1

Ben Taylor and Tomasz Anderson lost to Owen Edwards and Joshua Davies 2 holes

Alfie Plant and Dan Brown lost to Jack Davidson and Tom Williams 3/2

Paul Kinnear and Sean Towndrow lost to Ben Westgate and  Michael Hearne 2 holes

Ashton Turner and Jamie Bower bt Evan Griffith and Zach Galliford 4/3

SINGLES (7.5-2.5)
Ashley Chesters bt David Boote 3/2

Jimmy Mullen halved with Joshua Davies 

Joe Dean lost to Owen Edwards 1 hole

Dan Brown bt Richard James 3/2

Alfie Plant bt Tim Harry 2/1

Ben Taylor lost to Zach Galliford 2/1

Tomasz Anderson bt Tom Williams 2 holes

Sean Towndrow bt Evan Griffith 4/3

Ashton Turner bt Jack Davidson 1 hole

Paul Kinnear bt Michael Hearne 3/2