Mark Power, Robert Moran and Matthew McClean all added the St Andrews Trophy to their CVs after Great Britain and Ireland survived a European revival to claim their third title in four editions.
The biennial event made it’s return after a four-year hiatus with the visitors running out 14.5-10.5 winners in Switzerland.
GB&I took an 8-4 lead into the final day and extended their advantage after the morning foursomes.
Both Power and McClean were victorious in their foursomes matches with all four ties going to at least the 17th.
Malone’s McClean and England’s Sam Bairstow held off a stern challenge from the Europeans to win on the 18th before Power and Barclay Brown won by two holes.
“It’s brilliant it’s probably the biggest teams ranking wise that I have been a part of,” said McClean who won the Portrush Scratch Cup this year. “It was nice to go out and win and not just be picked and go enjoy the week it’s even better to have the trophy.
“Having three Irish lads on the team was brilliant as well it probably was a team selective all week no matter what country we were from. It felt like a full team this week with the other boys.
McClean was one of the standout performers from an Irish point of view winning two points out of three and he formed a formidable foursomes partnership with Bairstow winning both matches on the 18th.
Frenchman Martin Couvra produced a superb comeback to snatch a half with John Gough – whose father hails from Co. Meath – and that sparked a mini continental surge as the hosts won the next three singles matches to give them a glimmer of hope of completing one of the great sporting comebacks.
Hopes of a comeback were soon dashed by a rampant Power as the Kilkenny man roared to a 6&4 win over Sweden’s Adam Wallin to put his side within half a point of victory.
Scotland’s Callum Scott secured the vital point to give GB&I the required 13.
McClean and Moran were unfortunately beaten in their singles ties going down 3&2 and 2&1 and Castle golfer Moran will be delighted to see the back of Anton Albers with the German proving an arch nemesis.
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