Dun Laoghaire’s Alan Fahy who won the Munster Strokeplay Championship at Cork Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Leinster’s dominance of the Munster Strokeplay continued yesterday when Dun Laoghaire‘s Alan Fahy became the fifth winner from the province in seven years.  Claiming his first senior championship win, he had a very impressive second day in Cork, he was eight under for his final 36 holes.  That helped him overturn a four shot deficit, and that was enough to hive him a two stroke win.  Fahy shot an excellent 66 on Sunday morning to tie for the lead with halfway leader Robbie Cannon, and he was still level with the Balbriggan man after the final front nine.  Although Fahy birdied the 16^th, he felt he need more and was disappointed when a good putt on the 17^th shaved the hole.  With one chance remaining, the 20 year old Maynooth University student drilled his tee shot on the 18^th, and he followed that with a superb 8 iron from 140 yards which finished five feet from the hole.  A firm uphill putt hit the centre of the hole and he carded a fourth and final birdie to sign for a 6 under total of 282.

Overnight leader Robbie Cannon was the talk of little Island on Saturday evening.  The Balbriggan golfers recovered from an opening 78 on Saturday morning to shoot an eight under par 64 in the second round.  Cannon was level for round two after a bogey on the 4^th, but went on to record six birdies in the next eight holes on his way to the 64.  Cannon went out in 33 strokes and came back in a hugely impressive 31 strokes.  The 64 may well be a course record but the preferred lies playing conditions will mean a further check will be needed.  He added a two under par 70 on Sunday morning but Fahy had joined him at the top after 54 holes.

Gallery: Munster Strokeplay Final Round

Munster Strokeplay winner Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire GC) receiving the Cork Scratch Cup from Jerome O’Donovan, Captain Cork GC and Jason O’Callaghan, Ryans Super Valu. Also included are Lady Captain Maeve Russell, President Tom Griffith and Jim Long, Chairman Munster Golf. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Cannon was a few holes back and he was also on six under after a birdie on 16.  A lost ball on the 17^th proved costly for Cannon.  After playing a provisional he made the green in two but the tough green claimed another victim with Cannon needing three putts to hole out.  That left the way clear for Fahy, he won by two shots from Ryan Gribben with Eanna Griffin in third also on four under.

The Dubliner was delighted to claim the title on his first visit to Cork.  “I’m delighted with the win, I haven’t been playing that much with exams coming up” said the winner.  “I’ve only played 2 rounds in the past two weeks and played just nine holes in the practice round.  The course was in great condition and I’d heard lots of good things about it.  I just played really solid from tee to green over the two days and I holed a few putts which was nice.”  He also won the Bruen Carr Shield as the leading under 25 golfer.

The Cork challenge was strong at one stage, Sean Desmond, Peter O’Keeffe, James Sugrue and Cathal Butler were all in with a shout after the opening 36 holes.  Nobody however was able to mount a challenge on Sunday.  Sugrue had the best finish, a closing 69 saw him take fifth place.

Munster Golf Chairman Jim Long thanked everyone from Cork Golf Club, especially Matt Sands who he described as being integral to the success of the event.  He also thanked Tournament Director Dave Prendergast and referees and officials for their work over the weekend.

Gallery: Munster Strokeplay R3

Alan Fahy on the 18th green in the final round of the Munter Strokeplay in Cork Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea