Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com

O’Mahony goes low in Lahinch, South of Ireland Day Two…

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Douglas Senior Scratch Cup 2019_Greg O'Mahony_4

Greg O’Mahony after winning the Douglas Scratch Cup earlier this year

Greg O’Mahony was the only Cork golfer to break par on a tough day in Lahinch today.  The Fota Island golfer went around in three under as the wind and rain tested golfers.

A total of eight golfers made the cut for tomorrow’s matchplay.  Peter O’Keeffe finished his 36 holes on one under and Sean Desmond was two shots behind.  Cork duo Gary O’Flaherty and Paul Buckley were both safely through on +2, and Cathal Butler had to endure a short wait before all of the +4’s were safely inside the top 59.  With James Sugrue and John Murphy, there will be a strong Cork challenge tomorrow with eight golfers hoping to make it through the first round.

Gallery: South of Ireland Day 2, strokeplay qualifier second round

Play gets underway at 7am tomorrow, with the second round starting after the completion of the first round matches.  Live scoring will be available at regular intervals.

South of Ireland Matchplay Draw

7.00am: James Sugrue v Jack Doherty
7.36am: Peter O’Keeffe v James Fox
7.45am: Paul Buckley v Shane O’Connor
8.48am: John Murphy v Aaron Ryan
10.18am: Greg O’Mahony v Evan Farrell
10.45am: Sean Desmond v Jack Ryan
11.12am: Cathal Butler v Ronan Mullarney
11.21am: Gary O’Flaherty v TJ Ford

Irwin six ahead in PGA Assistants Championship

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shane irwin monkstown_dec 2018

Shane Irwin (Monkstown) 

Monkstown’s Shane Irwin has an impressive six shot lead going into the second day of the PGA Assistants Championship at Nuremore in Co Monaghan.  The Limerick native had two impressive rounds yesterday, shooting 69 and 67 on the par 71 track.  Irwin had the hot hand with nine birdies in the 36 holes.  He opened his second round with a bogey but recovered quickly with two birdies to get into the red for his round.  One more bogey followed on the back nine but he also added four birdies to sign for a four under par 67.

That left him six ahead of the field, St Annes’ Gary McGrane on level par.  Fota Island’s Jack Howard is eight place, and will be hoping to catch up a few places, and Shane Livesey is just outside the top twenty.

The final 36 holes will be completed today.

O’Keeffe keeps up momentum in Lahinch

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Gameface; Peter O'Keeffe in action in the South of Ireland in Lahinch last year

Gameface; Peter O’Keeffe in action in the South of Ireland in Lahinch last year

Following his great performance at the North of Ireland two weeks ago, Peter O’Keeffe kept the championship momentum going with an opening 68 in Lahinch today.  The opening round of the South of Ireland got underway today in benign conditions, and O’Keeffe was the first of the early starters to post a low score.  The Douglas golfer started with a hot hand, birdieing the first two holes.  He gave a shot back on the Klondyke, he got it back on the 9th to turn on three under.

Another birdie followed on the 10th and Peter had eight steady pars before a final birdie on the last.  That put him in the clubhouse lead, although lower scores would follow.  Cathal Butler had shot a 71 (-1), and Sean Desmond would follow with an impressive 67 later in the morning.  Paul Buckley and Greg O’Mahony both shot level par, and Paul Tobin and Gary O’Flaherty finished on 73 to Continue reading →

Carroll Claims Victory in Lahinch

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Senan Carroll being presented with his prize from a beaten but smiling Peter Sheehan

There were incredible scenes in Lahinch on Thursday as Senan Carroll fulfilled a lifelong dream, beating the legendary Peter Sheehan in Lahinch.  The 36 hole shootout was the highlight of the  opening two days of the South of Ireland (for the two players involved).

Carroll, the young gun had a lead of 4 shots going into the second round, thanks in part to a magnificent eagle on the notoriously difficult 2nd hole.   Despite playing distinctly average golf on the second day, Carroll managed to hang on to secure a huge win that will sure mean lots to him – and little to anyone else.

Sheehan, known to many as the King of Lahinch, and celebrating his 40th South of Ireland was heartbroken to lose to his prodigy, but in true Peter Sheehan fashion, he accepted the result with poise, dignity and his trademark smile.

Senan, delighted to received his signed €50 note, dedicated the win to himself and promised to stand everyone in the 19th a drink (terms and conditions apply, valid only on Tuesdays in January 2027).

Often compared to the rivalry between Palmer and Nicholas, there’s no doubt that the enduring deul will continue.

 

Senior Cap for Thompson, Byrne to lead Irish Girls, Home Internationals

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Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson is set to earn her first senior Irish cap next month following her selection on the Irish Ladies team for the Home Internationals.  On the back of her win at the Connacht Senior Womens title, the Cork member would have been high on the list of probables, and earlier today her place was confirmed.  A strong team was named as Ireland hope go one better this year and win the event.  Clodagh Coughlan was selected as a non-travelling reserve, the Douglas golfer’s performance at the recent interprovincials brought her onto the national radar.

Sara Byrne was selected as part of the seven strong Girls team.  This will be Byrne’s third year playing in the Home Internationals, a pretty big achievement considering she first played in the Under 18 competition when she was just 15.  Sara is now a senior on the team, but Continue reading →