There was no joy for Cork clubs in Tralee on Saturday as both Cork and Mallow exited at the semi-final stage of the Munster finals. Mallow were in action in the AIG Senior Cup and for a while it looked like they would beat Limerick in their semi-final. Paul McCarthy and James Sugrue led from the front and both recorded impressive wins, McCarthy won 3&2 while Sugrue won on the 14th. Conor Dowling lost match, as did Brian Attridge meaning the result would be decided by Adam Boland’s match with Limerick’s Justin Kehoe. They were all square on the 15th but Kehoe won the 16th to go one up. Boland made a huge six foot putt on the 17th to avoid losing and a great birdie on the 18th meant that the match went on to the 19th. Both players found the fairway on the additional hole and the advantage swung Continue reading
Month: August 2017
Gallery: AIG Senior Cup, Limerick v Mallow
Pictures from the AIG Senior Cup Munster semi-final: Continue reading
Gallery: AIG Barton Shield, Tralee v Cork
Pictures from the AIG Barton Shield Munster semi-final: Continue reading
Munster Finals time in Tralee
2016 Barton Shield winners Cork. Picture: Thos Caffrey / http://www.golffile.ie
Tralee Golf Club will host the AIG Cups & Shields finals this weekend with three Munster pennants on offer. It’s eight years since Tralee have hosted the finals and Arnold Palmer designed links will provide a spectacular setting for the three finals. Two competitions are down for decision on Saturday with Cork and Mallow in action. Cork will be hoping to retain their Munster title in the AIG Barton Shield, but they’ll have to get past hosts Tralee in the semi-final. Waterford Castle face Castletroy in the other semi-final. Mallow unseated holders Monkstown and beat a good Cork side in the Senior Cup and they’ll be hoping to maximise their first appearance at the Munster finals in several years. Ballybunion carry Kerry hopes in the AIG Senior Cup, the West Munster winners will face Dungarvan who were the winners in the East Munster section. Limerick came through in North Munster and they will face Mallow who Continue reading
International Action for Cork Girls
Mairead Martin (Kanturk) Picture: Pat Cashman
Four Cork Girls are in action for Ireland today in the Ladies and Girls Home Internationals. Little Aston Golf Club near Brimingham is hosting the both events which get underway today. Despite being eligible for the Girls team, Mairead Martin has been selected for the Ladies team. The Kanturk native has been in great form recently, she won both the Irish Girls Close and the Leinster Ladies Championship in the past three weeks. Mitchelstown’s Valerie Clancy (representing Killarney) will feature on the Girls team alongside Cork’s Rachel Thompson and Douglas’ Sara Byrne.
Last year, Ireland were victorious in the Girls Home Internationals with the Ladies’ honours going to England. Three of the victorious 2016 Girls’ team have returned to defend their title. Clancy, Thompson and Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) will be a source of experience for Captain Gemma Butler, who will be relying on them to lead their fellow teammates.
Ireland take on Scotland today, they face Wales tomorrow and England on the final day.
The combined Girls and Ladies teams (Pic: Derek Byrne)
Ladies Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Ciara Casey (Hermitage)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Paula Grant (Lisburn)
Mairead Martin (Kanturk)
Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little)
Chloe Ryan (Castletroy)
Annabel Wilson (Lurgan)
Reserve: Sinead Sexton (Lahinch)
Team Captain: Danielle McVeigh (RCDL)
Team Manager: Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook)
Team Coach: Donal Scott
Girls’ Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Sara Byrne (Douglas)
Valerie Clancy (Killarney)
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle)
Emma Forbes (Royal Portrush)
Maeve Rooney (Co. Sligo)
Rachel Thompson (Cork)
Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden)
Reserve: Georgia Carr (Milltown)
Team Captain: Gemma Butler (Birr)
Team Manager: Helen Jones (Royal Portrush)
Team Coach: Chris Jelly
Hickey takes top ten spot in Mullingar
John Hickey pictured during the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup.
Cork’s John Hickey was the best placed Cork golfer at Mullingar over the weekend. Stuart Grehan won the prestigious title with a wire to wire win following two 67’s which saw him hit the halfway point on -10.
An opening 79 on Sunday morning hampered Hickey, and that return featured two triple bogies on his front nine. Hickey recovered with a one under par 71 on Sunday afternoon and another two 71’s followed on Monday. That saw him rise up the leaderboard and eventually finished in 9th place. Hickey will be a key member of the Cork team that will be aiming to retain their AIG Barton Shield Munster title in Tralee this weekend.
Peter O’Keeffe (74/75/74/73) was just inside the top twenty (18th), O’Keeffe is currently preparing for his Irish Senior debut in Moortown next week. James Sugrue and John Murphy both were tied for 24th place, that was likely to be Murphy’s last competitive event in Ireland as he’s moving to Kentucky next week to take up his place with Aaron O’Callaghan’s University of Louisville golf programme. Kinsale duo Gary Ward (T37) and Cathal Butler (T41) both made the cut but Mallow’s Conor Dowling missed the cut for the final day.
Dunmore win Munster Country Clubs Final
Dunmore won the Munster Country Clubs Cup today, the West Cork Club was hosting the finals and overcame Raffeen Creek and Lisselan to claim the title. It’s the third time that Dunmore have won the title, their previous wins came in 2009 and 1991. After winning the semi-final, Dunmore faced local rivals Lisselan in the final. Dunmore didn’t have it all their own way in the final. At the halfway point it was very much even, with a hole or two at most separating each match. The back nine however proved critical and the home side started to take the upper hand, as the showers and wind impacted on the players. Jerry Lehane brought in the first point for Dunmore and two more followed from Martin Kelleher and Kevin Sutton. Niall Deasy brought in the winning point meaning that the final three matches were called in. It was a special day for Dumnore’s Captain and President, both Michal O’Leary and John O’Driscoll were both playing which added to the celebrations for the host club. It was a special win for the host club as they are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2017 and recently held a number of events marking that milestone.
Munster Golf Chairman Jim Long congratulated Dunmore on their win and also on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. He also thanked Lisselan for a very sporting local derby. He thanked Dunmore for hosting the finals and complimented the course staff and owners for the great condition of the course even if the weather wasn’t the best. He thanked Jim Lyne and John Carroll from Munster Golf who ensured that all three matches ran smoothly.
Munster Country Clubs Cup 2017
Munster Final
Sun 6th August at Dunmore Golf Club
Dunmore 5.5-1.5 Lisselan
Martin Kelleher beat Paul Corcoran 1 hole
Kevin Sutton beat David Spearman 3&2
Jerry Lehane beat Brian O’Donovan 5&4
Niall Deasy beat Denis Harrington 3&2
Pat O’Regan halved with Donnchadh Crowley called in
Michael O’Leary halved with Gabriel Leahy called in
John J O’Driscoll halved with Neil Whelton called in
Semi Finals
Lisselan defeated Ballyheigue Castle
Dunmore defeated Raffeen Creek
Gallery: Fred Daly & Junior Foursomes Finals, Fermoy Golf Club.
Presentation pictures from Fermoy Golf Club: Continue reading
Portugal Success for Sean Reddy
Sean was playing in the world kids golf tournament in Silves Portugal , he played in the under 10 years old section , there was kids from all over the world, US, UK, Belgium, South Africa, Holland, Russia, Spain & Many from Portugal. He played three days of 18 hole golf over the 5,700 yards Christy O’Connor Jnr designed course. His net scores were 50 points first day , 39 points second day and on the final day he was three points behind and needed to play at his best. His score was 43 on the last day and he just managed the win, he came first place in the net category based on his age and handicap, which was a step up from coming second place last year. Sean won a gold medal, a watch and golf equipment as the first prize. The the biggest hurdle was the 36 degree heat as the rounds of golf on all days took over 5 1/2 hours, Sean and his family took the tournament in as part of their summer holidays, spending the first week in the Algarve and the last 4 days were spent at the tournament. The tournament is run by the Portuguese Golf Association and controlled under R&A guidelines as Continue reading
Deasy in the mix in Ballina, Irish Boys Under 14
Mel Deasy (Bantry Bay) is comfortably inside the top ten after the first round of the Irish Boys Under 14 Championship in Ballina. Deasy finished with a birdie three on the 18th to sign for a three over par 74. Deasy has been playing some fine golf this year and has been a key member of the Bantry Bay AIG Junior Cup team.
Zak Collins (Douglas) is two shots behind Deasy in 13th place, Collins had a disappointing end to his round but he’s in touch of the the top tem. Leader Joshua Hill (Galgorn Castle) shot an amazing five under par 66 to hold the lead by two shots. Hill had two eagles to record the impressive score on the opening day. Round two gets underway tomorrow.
GOLF: Irish Under 14 Boys Amateur Open Championship
Ballina Golf Club, Round 1 Scores – Thursday 3 August 2017
66 J Hill (Galgorm Castle)
68 E Rowe (Tandragee)
72 B Hanratty (Donabate)
73 L Abom (Edmondstown); C McFadden (Headfort); J Byrne (Baltinglass)
74 M Deasy (Bantry Bay); G O’Neill (Malahide); R Fives (Faithlegg)
75 M Holohan (Seapoint); A Murray (Roganstown); T Higgins (Roscommon)
76 S Lenihan (Goldcoast); Z Collins (Douglas); E McArthur (Massereene); S Calvert (Ballykisteen)
77 M Whelan (Ennis); J Quinn Continue reading
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