ULSTER CUP SIDE DENIED FINAL SPOT BY MALONE

County Armagh Golf Club's enterprising run in the 2018 Ulster Cup has been ended at the semi-final stage after defeat to Malone.

Marty Daly's charges, the first County Armagh side to go this far in the tournament in a quarter of a century, travelled to Malone for the first leg on Monday 27 August. A stern challenge awaited them in Belfast on a course set up long and battered by strong winds, and against canny opponents who had also made the last four in 2017.

They acquitted themselves spiritedly, however — a repeated characteristic of their campaign this year. Strong finishes from Malone saw the home team post the first points of the tie, but County Armagh responded admirably as Patrick Brannigan and Paul McCurry prevailed.

County Armagh's 2018 Ulster Cup semi-final line-up (L-R): Paul McCurry, Barry McGurgan, Paul Corvan, Patrick Brannigan, Declan McReynolds (non-playing vice captain), Marty Daly (captain), Cormac O'Hare and Nigel NcMahon.