West of Ireland: Top talent moves to semifinals

COUNTY SLIGO, Ireland (April 21, 2014) -- Top talent remains as the semifinals are set to get underway at the 2014 West of Ireland Championship -- the Golfing Union of Ireland's first major championship of the season. Reeve Whitson, Robert Cannon, Gary Hurley and Jack Hume all won two matches Monday in a busy day of action to advance to Tuesday's semifinals. Whitson was impressive, winning 5-and-3 over local hero Steffan O'Hara after dispatching of Jeff Hopkins. “I felt I concentrated really well with all that was going on around me and I was really well focused," Whitson told the Irish Golf Desk. "I tried to keep myself in that focused state and kept hitting good shots.” He'll square off Tuesday against Cannon, who beat John Ross Galbraith 4-and-2 before rolling past Richard O'Donovan, 5-and-4. Cannon, of course, has won the Irish Amateur Open and the South of Ireland and looks to add another marquee win to his resume. Hurley will face Hume in the other semifinal -- a rematch from last year's tournament. Hurley beat James Fox 7-and-5 and won easily over Joe Lyons 8-and-6. Hume moved on with wins over Kevin Stack and Colm Campbell.