FOUR-BALL FIGHTERS DELIVER KNOCK-OUT BLOW

On another hectic, not to mention searingly hot, weekend of inter-club matchplay competition, no fewer than four of County Armagh Golf Club's teams were in action on Sunday 3 June. And grabbing the headlines this time were the All-Ireland Four-Ball Trophy panel, who booked their place in the last 16 after a victory over Knock that was marvellous and nail-biting in equal measure.

In the first leg in the Cathedral City on Sunday 27 May, the home side started in a bright and business-like fashion. The pairing of Oliver Connell and Stephen Nugent notched an early point through a casual dismissal of their opponents out at Ballyheridan, while their colleagues were ahead in three of the other four games.

The visiting East Belfast outfit rallied strongly at that juncture, however, and proceeded to claim two comeback successes. One of those concluded in dramatic fashion when Ian Ritchie's par putt on 18, which would've halved the match, lipped out and his Knock counterpart got up and down from below the green as though he'd been playing the course all his life.

County Armagh Golf Club overcame Knock to reach the last 16 of the All-Ireland Four-Ball Trophy.

Paul Wasson and Norman Mallon then had to content themselves with a half point after a birdie brace from the Knock skipper and his partner undermined the home duo's previously commanding position. And in the last remaining individual contest, Paul Kelly and Gavin McElmeel gained a priceless win to leave the overall tie tantalisingly poised at 2.5-2.5 with County Armagh two holes to the good at the halfway stage.