Month: April 2019

Fionn wins in East Cork

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

Fionn Hickey East Cork SSCOn Saturday Fionn Hickey claimed his second scratch cup when he won the East Cork Senior Scratch Cup.  The 16 year old came away with the title after beating Kinsale’s Mark Healy on the countback.  A birdie on Hickey’s final hole (15th) proved crucial in the end after both golfers shot a 70 (+1).  Fermoy’s Dean O’Riordan took third place with a 71.  The first nett prize went to Bandon’s Michael O’Neill with a 68, while East Cork’s Kieran O’Brien was second nett with 69.  The scratch cup was sponsored by McGuirks and was the first of a few events that will mark the club’s 50th anniversary.

East Cork Senior Scratch Cup, sponsored by McGuirks

  1. Fionn Hickey (Muskerry) 70
  2. Mark Healy (Kinsale) 70
  3. Dean O’Riordan (Fermoy) 71
  4. Michael O’Neill (Bandon) 68 – Best Nett
  5. Kieran O’Brien (East Cork) 69 Second Nett

Sugrue the best of Cork in Co Sligo

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Investec Muskerry Senior Scratch Cup Muskerry Golf Club Saturday 30th March 2019

James Sugrue

James Sugrue is the best of the Cork golfers at the halfway stage of the West of Ireland Championship in CO Sligo Golf Club. The Mallow man shot a two under par 69, helped along the way with an eagle on the back nine. Sugrue started smartly with an opening birdie but a seven on the par five 3rd hole set him back. He recovered with a birdie on the fifth and his eagle on the 12th brought him back into the red. Added to his opening 72, Sugrue is on -1 at the halfway stage – tied for fourth place. He’s four shots behind joint leaders Caolan Rafferty and Max Kennedy.

Mel Deasy added another 73 today to finish +4 in a tier for 30th place. The leading qualifier was three over after his front nine, but came back in one under to match yesterday’s score.

They are the only two golfers inside the top 50, the cut line after tomorrow’s third round. Greg O’Mahony and Gary Ward are just one shot outside the top 50 on +8 (T56) while Sean Desmond is a shot further back, currently placed T76. It was another tough day for Peter O’Keeffe, he shot a 78 which makes qualifying for Sunday a big ask. Cathal Butler also suffered after a horrendous front nine, which put paid to his chances. Kieran Murphy, Keith Fitzpatrick, Padraig O’Connor and Eric Rumley are all outside hopes for making it through to Sunday, but they do have one more round at the famous links to post a memorable score.

West of Ireland Championship Leaderboard

Hickey on top at Europro Tour QSchool

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Munster Strokeplay ChampionshipCork Golf Club Sunday 6th May 2018

John Hickey

John Hickey gave his pro career a huge boost this week, finishing top in the stage one qualifier at the Portal Championship golf resort near Chester.  Rounds of 66 and 74 saw the Cork Golf Club member finish on -6 on the par 73 layout.  Yesterday was a great day for John, he had seven birdies and no bogies to take a lead and give himself a great chance of qualifying for the next stage.  Frost delayed the start this morning and challenging weather conditions.  Hickey was two voer for the day through six holes, but he was back on level par at the turn.  Another few bogies and birdies followed and John signed for a 73 (+1) to finish joint first with Gian-Marco Petrozzi.  Conor O’Rourke (Naas) was third, just two behind Hickey after shooting a very impressive 69 today.

Despite the frost and challenging weather Hickey was focused on the task at hand. “I was about halfway through my warm up when I got my text basically when I got there it was just about trying to deal with the conditions the best I could.  And try and play the steady golf as possible try not to try and do anything crazy, play lots Continue reading →