Howard and Eivers share the spoils at Cahir Park

Jack Howard (Fota Island Golf Club) and Paul Eivers (Cahir Park Golf Club) fired a pair of 65s (six-under-par) to share top spot at the Cahir Park Pro-Am.

The duo finished one shot ahead of Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) and two shots clear of Colm Moriarty (Glasson Golf Club), Michael McDermott (Grange Golf Club) and Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny Golf Club).

Eivers, competing in just his second PGA pro-am, stumbled out of the blocks with a dropped shot at the first but a trio of birdies at the fourth, fifth and sixth got him back on track. He then eagled the par-five 11th and collected back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th to come home in four-under 33.

Eivers only turned professional two weeks ago and admitted to some nerves standing on the first tee, but he managed to produce his lowest round at his home club when it really mattered.

A plumber by trade, he was club captain at Cahir Park last year before taking the plunge and joining The PGA to 'follow my dream'.

“My expectations were a little lower than a 65 but I was very happy with that,” said the 30-year-old who had the added pressure of teeing it up with a team representing sponsors Morrison BMW. “I was a little jittery on the first and pulled my tee-shot but fortunately I steadied up after that.”

One of the day's early starters, Howard was imperious over his opening nine holes picking up six birdies to reach the turn in 28 shots. He was unable to maintain that blistering form on the closing nine with birdies at the 11th and 16th offset by dropped shots at the 14th and 15th.

Tim Rice (Limerick Golf Club) guided his amateur partners James Ormond, Brian Merrigan and Gary Morrison to victory in the team event with 96pts.

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