Current Muskerry Captain David Taylor pictured with his family when he won the 2011 Ford Junior Open Trophy. The challenging matchplay competition gets underway tomorrow.
Picture: Mike English.

64 of Cork’s top golfers will head into battle in Muskerry tomorrow, all in search of the Ford Junior Scratch Trophy.  The 64 golfers have come through from two full days of strokeplay qualifying held in Muskerry last month, and the eventual winner will have to come through six matches over the next three days to add his name to the prestigious trophy.  The matchplay element starts on Good Friday at 8am, and with two rounds taking place each day, the winner will eventually be known on Sunday afternoon.  The competitive format is unique in Munster and has attracted golfers from all over the county and beyond.  With a handicap limit of 5, the event provides a mix between the established Junior Cup and Bruen golfers, and younger golfers heading for Barton or Senior Cup appearances.  The trophy holds the names of many popular Cork golfers, including Bandon’s Donal O’Donovan and Kinsale’s Kieran McCarthy.  Both went on to become scratch golfers, representing their clubs at the top level.  Two previous Muskerry winners went on to turn professional, Morgan O’Donovan won the competition in 1992 and Niall Turner won in 2000.  The competition has been running since 1970 and in over 40 years only three golfers have won it on more than one occasion.  Bantry’s Donal McCarthy won the trophy on three occasions in the 80’s and he was the only player to win back to back, in 1984 & 1985.  Although the trophy has plenty of Muskerry names, Ger O’Shea is the only member of the home club to have his name there twice.  Mitchelstown’s Clem Leonard also won twice in 2010 and 2012.

Muskerry Captain Dave Taylor is himself a past winner so he appreciates what it takes to survive the six rounds in three days:  “It is as much about mental strength and physical fitness, as it is about golfing ability, so to win this prestigious tournament is a must on any amateur golfers CV.  Fortunately, I won this in 2011 and looking at the names of previous winners, we have had 3 winners who went on to earn a living in the Professional ranks; Eoghan O’Connell (Killarney), the late Morgan O’Donovan (Muskerry) and Niall Turner (Muskerry) who is currently playing on the Asian Tour.  This year we have a brand new crop of Under-18’s who have qualified for the matchplay, so who knows what future stars will come out of this tournament on Easter Weekend”.  Taylor is quick to mention the support of sponsors Ford which has extended over three decades:  “Ford(Ire) Ltd. have been the sponsor of this tournament since 1992  and without their generous and continued support, this tournament would not be held in the high regard that it is today.”  2014 winner John McGuire will not be defending his title although there are two past winners in the field.  Muskerry’s John McSweeeny and Douglas’ John O’Mahony will be hoping to join the select list of multiple winners.  Play gets underway in Muskerry at 8am tomorrow morning.

REPRO FREE 20.04.2014 Thomas Healy, captain Muskerry Golf Club, presenting the Cork Junior Scratch Perpetual Trophy- sponsored by Henry Ford and Son- to John Maguire, Mitchelstown Golf Club. Also included are runner up, John O’Mahony, Muskerry GC and Dr. Pat Turner, President.
Picture: Mike English

Muskerry Ford Junior Scratch Trophy, first round pairings: Sean McSweeney (Fota) v Peter O’Driscoll (Lee Valley); Liam Dowling (Mallow) v Martin Daly (Monkstown); Patrick Foley (Mahon) v Frank Crowley (Raffeen Creek); Noel O’Mahony (East Cork) v Alan Buckley (Kinsale); Brian Hartnett (Macroom) v Adam Boland (Mitchelstown); Denis O’Brien (Lee Valley) v John McSweeney (Muskerry); Adam McSweeeny (Douglas) v Paudie Coughlan (Kinsale); Alan Riordan (Muskerry) v Jack O’Flynn (Cork); David Byrnes (Loughrea) v Liam Harte Jnr (Muskerry); Niall O’Sullivan (Callan) v Paul O’Keeffe (Muskerry); Conor Sheehan (West Waterford) v Rory O’Sullivan (Mahon); Enda Keane (Muskerry) v Ronan McMahon (Adare); Eddie O’Herlihy (East Cork) v John Chisholm (Muskerry); Tim Deady (Doneraile) v Ronan Curran (Lee Valley); Maurice Leahy (Muskerry) v Jack Egan (Muskerry); John O’Mahony (Muskerry) v Paddy McMahon (Loughrea); Darren Hourihan (Douglas) v Peter Duane (Mallow); Killian McCarthy (Fernhill) v Bernard Twomey (Muskerry); Killian Cotter (Doneraile) v Cian Kidney (Lee Valley); James Hegarty (Muskerry) v Mark Dennehy (Muskerry).