Two Fermanagh men have made the Ireland Kings Cup team that will take on USA in this year’s third renewal of the trans Atlantic amateur golfing challenge. 
Darren and Declan McKeever from Ederney have qualified for the team for the second year in a row and the County Fermanagh brothers, who are both members of Donegal GC, will be hoping to help Ireland retain the title from May 14-18 at Lough Erne Resort.
The experienced campaigners, playing in the category for 5.5 to 9 handicappers, carded a betterball score of three over par 75.
The team was finalised following four regional qualifiers at Ennis Golf Club (Munster), Westport Golf Club (Connacht), Dunmurry Springs Golf Club (Leinster) and Lough Erne Resort (Ulster). 
This was whittled down to 46 players who arrived at the Co Fermanagh venue, focused on securing a place on Ireland’s 12 man (6 pairs) team to face the USA in May.
The competitors battled testing cross winds on the Faldo Championship course with the Warrenpoint duo of Ryan Gribben and David Barron carding the lowest round of the day, a superb three under par 69.
“First and foremost we are absolutely delighted to be back at Lough Erne Resort for the King’s Cup,” said Ryan, a Barton Shield winner with the Co. Down club.
“It’s a top class tournament and Lough Erne Resort made us feel very welcome. David and I played in the first King’s Cup, and we just missed qualifying last year by a shot.”
The rest of the Ireland team is comprised of competitors from Tipperary, Clare, Wicklow, Dublin and Kildare.
The Ryder Cup-style tournament, supported by Tourism NI, honours golf’s greatest ambassador, Mr Arnold Palmer.
Both teams will stay on-site at Lough Erne Resort, with full access to The Golf Academy. 
The Irish team will receive specially commissioned outerwear courtesy of Glenmuir and both teams will attend a Gala dinner as part of the event.
Gross scores are noted below:
Open Championship Flight (4.9 or less)
Ryan Gribben and David Barron (Warrenpoint GC) 69
Senior (50 +) Championship Flight
Martin Smyth and Liam Byrne (Druids Heath GC/Hermitage GC) 75
Open Flight A (5-9.9)
Declan McKeever and Darren McKeever (Donegal GC) 75
Senior (50+) Flight A
Michael Ryan and Pat Creamer (Tipperary GC) 74
Open Flight B (10-14.9)
Sean O’Gallachoir and Colin O’Leary (Cloughaneely GC/Cill Dara GC) 73
Senior (50+) Flight B
Oliver McNamara and Martin White (Ennis GC/Woodstock GC) 79.