Dublin’s Anderson wins Munster Strokeplay
By Niall O’Shea
The Munster Strokeplay took place in Cork Golf Club over the weekend and all 75 golfers were challenged by both the weather and the course. A new name was added to the trophy as Royal Dublin’s Barry Anderson won the title by a single stroke. Although the weather was a disappointment to both golfers and spectators, the course was very well received by all the competitors. The perfect fairways and slick greens provided Ireland’s top amateurs with a challenge, as did the punishing rough. At the halfway point of the 72 hole competition, Dundalk’s Aaron Grant. Local hopes rested with Cork John Hickey who was just one shot off the lead. Mark Shanahan, Dave O’Donovan and Eoghan Murphy were all in the hunt and Gary O’Flaherty was also in touching distance although he was six shots back. Holder Kieran McCarthy missed the cut, a 79 followed by an 82 saw him finish five shots outside the cut mark.
Sunday morning saw a dramatic change on the scoreboard as Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty shot a 67 to take the lead. He was the only player to break par as many golfers struggled in the damp conditions. Overnight leader Grant shot a ten over par 82 to take him out of contention. O’Flaherty started the fourth round with a two shot lead over the field as Royal Dublin’s Richard Knightley and Barry Anderson chased him. The final round saw most players shoot over par but Fota’s Sean Barry and Keith Crowley both returned four under par 68’s. Both however were too far back to trouble the leaders. At the top of the leaderboard the lead changed hands a few times in the final round. O’Flaherty’s two shot lead a pegged back with Knightly, Anderson and O’Flaherty level at one point. Anderson however was one under for the final three holes and this was enough to give him a two shot margin over Gary O’Flaherty. Richard Knightly was third with John Hickey, Keith Crowley, Mark Shanahan and Dave O’Donovan returning the best local scores. Anderson also won the Carr/Bruen Trophy for the best Under 25.
The Inter-Pro order of merit has been updated and West Waterford’s Gary Hurley still holds top spot thanks to his performances in the West and the Lytham Trophy. Gary O’Flaherty is in second place and Pat Murray is third. The top five in the order of merit will be automatically selected for the Inter-provincials. Points will be awarded this weekend at the Irish Amateur Open although very few Munster golfers are taking part. Castlemartyr are represented by Kieran McCarthy and Mark Shanahan while Mallow’s James Sugrue returns from a good performance in the Fairhaven Trophy to take part.
GUI Senior Order of Merit (after Munster Strokeplay)
- Gary Hurley (W Waterford) 120
- Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) 105
- Pat Murray (Limerick) 90
- John Hickey (Cork) 85
- Eanna Griffin (Waterford) 75
- Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr) 65
- Geoff Linehan (PMarnock) 60
- Keith Crowley (Fota) 60
- Dave O’Donovan (Muskerry) 60
- Eoghan Murphy (Cork) 45
Cork Golf News 