Staunton takes victory at Co Louth

Mark Staunton edged out Damien McGrane to win the final event of the PGA Winter Series at Co Louth GC.

The Delgany GC PGA Professional carded a two-under-par 70 to beat McGrane by a shot at the Oakley sponsored event.

Staunton made a poor start to his round, dropping shots at the second and third but he steadied the ship and birdies at the fifth, seventh and ninth saw him to the turn in one-under 35.

The 33-year-old bogeyed the 10^th, 11^th and 18^th on the back nine but offset those mistakes with birdies at the 12^th, 14^th, 16^th and 17^th to come home in 35.

McGrane, needing to a strong finish to overtake Daniel Beattie (Deer Park) in the race for the Cobra Puma Golf Order of Merit title, also made a poor start and found himself two-over after three.

The European Tour regular hit back in emphatic style with an eagle at the par-four fifth, and got to the turn in level-par 36 with a further bogey at six offset by a birdie at the ninth.

The 43-year-old looked to have ruined his chances when he dropped two more shots at the 10^th and 11^th but he finally found some form and a trio of birdies at the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th saw him home in one-under 35.

John Kelly (St Margaret's) finished third after a level par 72 with Brian Kerley (Green Life Golf Range), fourth with a 73.

Daniel Beattie's Order of Merit hopes were ended by a shocking front nine that saw him go to the turn in five-over. He finished the tournament out of the points in 13^th place which saw McGrane claim the OoM crown.

Donal Gleeson (Old Conna GC) finished third with John Dwyer (Ashbourne) in fourth place.