Ireland down to 10 players for the 2011 European season.

Over 1,000 hopeful's entered the qualifing school looking for one of the 30 cards available for the 2011 European golf tour.Amoungst them were 48 Irish Amateur & Professionals.

After stage one only 9 of the 48 survived. Damien Mooney thanks to a 2nd round of 66 at the windsweeped Dundonald links in Scotland took 2nd place on 2 over par. He was joined by Gareth Shaw, Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Irish PGA Champion David Mortimer.

Michael McGeady was 3rd best qualifier at the London Club and was joined by Niall Turner. Mervyn Owens & ex professional footballer Stephen Grant came through at the Fleesensee golf club in Germany.

The 9 were joined at stage two by John kelly, Gary Murphy, Johnny Caldwell & Niall Kearney.The 13 Irish were spread out over 4 courses in Spain with only 2 making it through to the final stage.

Once again Damien Mooney was in great form. He hit rounds of 70,70,69 and 72 to easily sail through in 3rd place on 7 under par at the Costa Ballena course. He was joined by 23 year old Niall Kearney who hit a 65 in the 3rd round.

The only other one to come close was Warrenpoint golfer Barrie Trainor. Barrie took a triple bogey at the par 5, 16th hole in round one for a 75.He followed up with a 73, 67 & 70 at the El Valle course in Murcia to miss out by one shot for a place in the final qualifing.

Mooney and Kearney were joined by Colm Moriarty from the Challenge tour and Simon Thornton from the main tour for a 6 round marathon at the PGA Catalunya complex in Northern Spain. 176 players played 72 holes with the top 70 making it through to the final 36 holes.

Mooney was the best starter with a 68 but he followed up with a 75 & 77. His final round of 67 was not enough to get him through to the final 36 holes. Colm Moriarty took 5 shots too many with rounds of 74,69,72 and 71. Simon Thornton was unlucky. He hit scores of 72,69,68 and 73 to miss the 3 under par cut by one shot. The only Irish survivor was Dublin's Niall Kearney. Kearney was in trouble with an opening 76 before recovering with a 65, 67 and 72 to go through on -4. He fell back over the final 36 holes with 76/72 to finish on level par, but can still take some satisfaction with a Challenge tour card for 2011.

Simon Wakefield won the school with a 6 round total of 21 under par. With no Irish qualifiers and having lost Gary Murphy & Simon Thornton, we will have only 10 players on tour for the 2011 European Tour.