O'Briain wins Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am

Neil O'Briain (above) ground out a second round 72 to win the Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am.

The Old Conna professional edged out Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) and overnight leader David Higgins (Waterville) by a single shot at the Co Cavan venue.

“It was hard graft out there today,” said O'Briain, who feels his game is starting to come together after making a slow start to the season.

“It's a demanding golf course and you have to keep plugging away. If you do miss it, you just have to make sure you don't miss it in point Z otherwise you are dead.”

He began the final 18 holes a shot behind Higgins following an opening round of two under par 70. Starting at the 10th he rattled off six pars before grabbing a birdie at the par three 16th, firing an eight iron into six feet and rolling in the putt.

He went to the turn in one under 35 and continued to plot his way round his back nine, getting up and down from short of the green at both the second and third. His only blip came at the par four fifth, when he misjudged the breeze with his approach shot and finished with a bogey as he came home in one over 37.

Colm Moriatry forced his way into second place with a best of the day round of 69 that included an eagle at the par five ninth, while Higgins slipped back with a second round 74.

Scott Kirkpatrick (Ardee GC) won the team event with 178 points ahead of O'Briain.