FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (October 19, 2011) - After the morning matches of the Governor Hugh L. Carey Challenge Cup presented by Mutual of America, the MGA team holds a 2-1 advantage over the Golfing Union of Ireland at Bethpage Black. Playing in conditions more typical of an Irish afternoon, the MGA took two key points thanks to a convincing 6 & 5 victory by Joe Saladino and Clancy Waugh over Dermot McElroy and Aaron Kearney; and a 1 up win recorded by Conor Casey and Dennis Lynch over Gary McDermott and Richard O'Donovan. The third match was won by the lads from the Emerald Isle as Niall Gorey and Alan Dunbar defeated Cameron Young and Michael Miller 2 up.

The MGA nearly finished the morning with a 2 ½ to ½ advantage with Miller and Young making a valiant comeback against Gorey and Dunbar, a member of the 2011 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team. Down three with three to play, the youngsters from the MGA won the 16th hole with a birdie after Miller hit his approach to five feet and Young sinking the putt. On 17, Miller hit 7-iron from 178 yards to about a foot and a half.

“Both teams played great and all of the matches [this morning] came down to fairways and greens," MGA captain Al Small said after the morning matches. "It’s going to be an exciting afternoon.”

After a break for lunch, the teams return to the Black this afternoon for Fourball matches. Here’s the lineup:

1:20: Joe Saladino and Clancy Waugh vs. Aaron Kearney and Richard O’Donovan

1:30: Mike Miller and Cameron Young vs. Gary McDermott and Niall Gorey

1:40: Dennis Lynch and Conor Casey vs. Alan Dunbar and Dermot McElroy