Alan Fahy returns to Cork this weekend to defend his Munster Strokeplay title.  Cork Golf Club will play host to the 72 hole event on Saturday and Sunday, and although some of the Irish Team are in Lytham, the field is the deepest ever with the cut falling at +0.4.  The marquee three ball tees off at 9.40, it contains the champion Fahy, the 2018 runner up Robbie Cannon and Portmarnock’s Geoff Lenehan.  The three have all shown promise this year and will be hoping for a positive start in Cork on Saturday.  Keith Egan from Carton House is the lowest handicapped golfer in the field, playing off an impressive mark of +3.0.  Gary O’Flaherty, Ian O’Rourke and Ian O’Flynn are the leading contenders from the home club while Kanturk native Paul Buckley has recently joined the club and will be hoping to build on good form from last weekend in Lee Valley.

Cathal Butler, Eoghan Long and 16 year old Mel Deasy are among the other locals who may challenge on Sunday afternoon.  Deasy hit the headlines last month when he won the qualifier for the West of Ireland and went on to finish in 15^th place in his first championship appearance.  The handicap cuts from the good golf in Co Sligo saw him move to +1, which directly resulted in his inclusion in the field for this weekend.   Previous winner Pat Murray makes a return to the event while three-time winner Niall Gorey also makes a return after a spell on the sideline with a long term injury.  The course in Cork is reported to be in great condition and will no doubt produce another worthy winner of Munster Strokeplay.  The event is again sponsored by Ryan’s Spervalu.