Davis College Mallow lost out in the Munster Final of the Irish Schools Senior Championship yesterday but only after giving favourites De La Salle Waterford a tough test in the final.  The finals took place in Cahir Park and it was a credit to the course and specially the staff that the course was open.  A modified course was in play, with the competition taking place over two loops of the nine holes on the clubhouse side of the River Suir.  Davis College had a good win over Crescent College (Limerick) in the semi-final, winning 3-2.  De La Salle had beaten Douglas Community School in their semi-final, they closed out the first three points as they proved too strong for the Cork side.

Gallery: De La Salle Waterford v Davis College, Irish Schools Senior C/ship Munster Final

Despite the strong wind and heavy showers, there was some very competitive golf on display, with several Irish and Munster capped players on each team.  As the matches came through the 18th for the first time, the contest was closely balanced, Mallow were ahead in the first to matches with De La Salle ahead in the back three.

As the final wandered through the second nine holes, Dara Phelan and Charlie Dawson brought in early points for De La Salle and the contest ended when Ryan O’Connor secured the winning point.  At the same time Edward Walsh beat Jack Hearne to take a point for Davis College, and although Greg Barrett was one up against Andrew Mulhall on the 18^th, the pair shook hands for a sporting draw.

Munster Golf Chairman Jim Long congratulated all four teams for playing in the difficult conditions.  He was quick to praise the staff in Cahir Park who helped to ensure that the course was playable.  He also thanked Munster Golf Junior Convenor Kevin Murray and Tournament Director John Fennessy for their work on the day and through the weekend when they carried out several inspections.  He congratulated the winners and wished them the best when they represent Munster at the All Ireland finals in Lucan in April.

 

Irish Schools Senior Championship, Munster Final
Cahir Park Golf Club, Mon 6^th March 2017

Munster Final
De La Salle Waterford 3.5–1.5 Davis College
Jack Hearne lost to Edward Walsh
Andrew Mulhall halved with Greg Barrett (called in)
Charlie Dawson beat Roy Whelan
Ryan O’Connor beat Marco Fallone
Dara Phelan beat Keane Buckley

Semi-Finals
De La Salle Waterford 4-1 Douglas Community School
Jack Hearne beat Cathal Browne, Andrew Mulhall beat James Daly, Charlie Dawson halved with Conor Twomey (called in), Ryan O’Connor halved with Eoin O’Shea (called in), Dara Phelan beat John Weir.

Davis College 3-2 Crescent College
Edward Walsh beat Eoghan O’Neill, Greg Barrett beat Morgan Hanley, Roy Whelan lost to Ross Fitzgerald, Mario Fallone lost to Patrick Naughton, Keane Buckley beat Scott O’Brien