Peter O’Keeffe was today named on the Irish Mens team to play in the Home Internationals. O’Keeffe narrowly missed out on selection 10 years ago when he was competing at elite amateur level, and now he’s finally ticked that box. The Douglas golfer was added to the international mens panel after winning the Flogas Irish Amateur Open, and he followed that win with some solid performances through the months of June and July. Last week he finished as a semi-finalist in the South of Ireland, and many felt that would be more than enough to get the call up for August. For O’Keeffe its marks the achievement of a key long term goal, and it’s also a target he set himself. “I decided at the end of last year that I was going to work my ass off to make the Irish team” said O’Keeffe after the announcement of the team. “I’m delighted to achieve it now. I’m looking forward to preparing for the home internationals so I can have a great performance.” O’Keeffe put a huge amount of work into Continue reading
Author: niall@corkgolfnews.com
Fionn Hickey wins Munster Under 15 Championship
The Munster Under 15 Close was won yesterday by Muskerry’s Fionn Hickey. Hickey shot a three over par 75 to win, he was one under par at the turn thanks to a birdie on the 5th . He had a mixed back nine which included a double and triple bogey. Two birdies however meant the he finished on 75 and won by two. Cork’s Alex Dineen was second, Dineen had two birdies on the back nine which helped him to a 76. Kinsale’s Robert Walsh Jnr was third with a 77. Michael Troy (Dungarvan) won the Under 16 prize and Zak Collins (Douglas) won the Under 14 prize. Hickey will be one of the Muskerry players in action in Fermoy tomorroe for the Munster finals of the Fred Daly Trophy.
Gallery: Munster Under 15 & Under 17 Championships
Faithlegg’s Rory Milne was the winner of the Munster Under 17 Close, the four handicapper shot a two under par 70 to claim the title. Milne was one Continue reading
Second Leinster Women’s title for Mairead Martin
Mairead Martin (Kanturk) Picture: Pat Cashman
Mairead Martin is currently on a great run of form, the Kanturk teenager picked up another major championship at the weekend in Dublin. Fresh from her win at the Irish Girls Close last week, Mairead headed to Donabate with hopes of winning the Leinster Womens Championship for a second time. She came through the 36 qualifier in 4th place, just two shots off the lead which was set by Shannon Burke. Martin had a 6&5 win over home favourite Nicole McGavisk in the first round and followed that with a 5&4 win over Castlewarden’s Clodagh Walsh on Saturday afternoon. She had a 2&1 win over Maedbh Doyle in the semi final and despite a slow start in the final she wrapped up a 2&1 win over Rachel McDonnell.
“My game was really solid all week and I holed a lot of good putts” said a happy Mairead after her win. “I felt a bit under pressure in the last matchplay game, especially as I was 3 down through 9, but I managed to bring it back with 2 birdies in a row to gain some momentum, and then I played really well on the home stretch.” This is the second time Mairead will have her name engraved on the trophy having beaten Maria Dunne in the final in Ardee as a youngster in 2015. The busy summer continues for Martin, she’s off to play in the Home Internationals in Little Aston on Friday and after that it’s on to the British Girls in Enville Golf Club near Birmingham.
Gallery: Munster Under 15 & Under 17 Championships
Presentation pictures from Kinsale: Continue reading
Super Sugrue wins the South, Lahinch Golf Club
Winner of the South of Ireland Championships in Lahinch Golf Club, Clare , James Sugrue of Mallow Golf Club takes a moment with the trophy after his 3 and 2 victory over Conor O’Rourke of Naas Golf Club on Sunday evening.
Pic. Brian Arthur
James Sugrue wrote his name into the history books today, he captured the famous South of Ireland at Lahinch. The Mallow man joins Mervyn Owens and John McHenry as the only Cork winners in the past fifty years. Sugrue qualified in the top half of the draw after the 36 hole strokeplay phase, and came through two matches on Friday to reach the final 16. On Saturday he beat Gary O’Flaherty and John Murphy to set up a semi-final match with Peter O’Keeffe. In a tight match Sugrue beat O’Keeffe on the 17th, setting up a final against Conor O’Rourke Continue reading
O’Keeffe and Sugrue set for South Showdown, South of Ireland Day 4
Today started with five Cork golfers still in contention in Lahinch, however as play came to a close that was reduced to just two. The draw meant that there were two all-Cork clashes this morning, and one more this afternoon. Tomorrow will see another all-Cork match with Peter O’Keeffe taking on James Sugrue.
Peter O’Keeffe marched on to the semi-final of the South of Ireland today, the Irish Open Champion was up against Cathal Butler this morning and beat the Kinsale man on the 17th. This afternoon he was up against Robbie Cannon and again closed out the match on the 17th. O’Keeffe has surely done enough at this stage to secure his place on the Home International side, he’ll be hoping to go further and become the first Cork man to win the South since Mervyn Owens. James Sugrue will be having similar ideas after his two wins today.
James Sugrue was up against Gary O’Flaherty in the other Cork match, Sugrue won that contest on the 16th green. Sugrue faced John Murphy in the quarter-final after Murphy beat Colm Campbell on the 19th. This morning Murphy was three down but birdied the 12th, 13th and 14th to level the match. He had a putt to win on the 18th but the ball refused to drop while resting on the lip. He made no mistake on the 19th however and booked his place in the final eight. On paper, Murphy probably had a slight edge over Sugrue, but it was the Mallow man who won. It was a tight match all the way through with Sugrue one ahead for a few holes on the back nine. Sugrue stretched that the two holes when he won the 16th, giving him the upper hand. A half on the 17th was enough to see Sugrue go through to the semi-final.
In the other semi-final Conor O’Rourke will take on West of Ireland winner Barry Anderson. O’Rourke had a marathon 27 hole match this morning to get past Thomas Mulligan and was taken to the 18th this afternoon by leading qualifier Lester Rowan. Play in Lahinch get’s underway at 8.30 in the morning.
McNamara wins in Delgany, PGA Irish Region
Monkstown’s Cian McNamara was back in the winners circle yesterday after shooting a five under par 64 at the Delgany Pro-Am. McNamara has been playing a reduced schedule this year, playing in three or four events each month. Although not playing as much as some fellow professionals he racked up quite a few top five and top ten finishes this year and proving the Limerick native is still a threat on the Irish region circuit. On Wednesday he teamed up with his assistant Shane Irwin and both qualified for the PGA Fourball Championship in Headfort, finishing in second place.
McNamara had a good start, he turned on -3 thanks to an eagle on the third and a birdie on the ninth. Another birdie followed on the 10th but he handed back a shot with a bogey on the 12th. McNamara had a strong finish with birdies on the 16th and 18th to sign for a five under par 64. That was more than enough for the win, McNamara was two ahead of second placed Damien McGrane and Daniel Beattie. It’s a busy week for Cian, he is back in action today at the Beaverstown Pro Am in Donabate.
Strong Cork Challenge in Lahinch, South of Ireland Day 3
Weather conditions in Lahinch were slightly better today as the opening two rounds of the matchplay got underway. After two rounds there are still five Cork golfers involved, with two all-Cork clashes set for tomorrow morning.
Kinsale’s Cathal Butler and John Murphy made it through to the third round. Murphy had a two hole win over his Munster team mate Andrew McCormack this afternoon while Butler won on the 18th against Robert Brazill from Naas. Butler will face Peter O’Keeffe in the third round, O’Keeffe had wins today over two Limerick members, Owen O’Brien and Sean Poucher to book his place on the last 16. Gary O’Flaherty will face James Sugrue in the final match tomorrow morning. O’Flaherty needed all 18 holes this morning to beat Keith Murphy while this afternoon he dispatched Stephen Loftus 5&4. Sugrue was the last player left on the course this evening and he wrapped up his match with Darragh Coghlan on the 17th. With eight Cork qualifiers the hopes were high that someone might follow in Mervyn Owens footsteps and claim the prestigious South title. After today there are still five with a chance. Gary Ward won this morning but fell to Colm Campbell in the second round match this afternoon. Two Cork qualifiers lost out in this morning’s first round. Sean Desmond was handed a tough draw when he was put up against Conor O’Rourke from Naas. The form book ruled and Continue reading
Desmond close to the lead in Lahinch, South of Ireland Day One
It isn’t too often that a scratch golfer would have six bogies and a double – and still be happy with his round. Well that’s exactly what happened Sean Desmond in Lahinch today. Playing is his first South of Ireland, the Monsktown teenager shot a 74 in very testing conditions. That 74 included four birdies and an eagle, which helped Desmond to bounce back from the bogies. He was actually one under after an eagle on the 5th and he finished the front nine on level par. That included a lost ball on the 7th which led to a double bogey. A birdie on the 12th saw Desmond back in the red but three consecutive bogies on 13, 14 and 15 saw him return to the black and sign for a two over par 74.
Desmond held the clubhouse lead for a few hours but was surpassed by Rowan Lester who came home in three under to record a level par 72. Desmond is currently tied for second alongside Robin Dawson. Gary O’Flaherty and Peter O’Keeffe are the next best of the Cork lads, they both shot a four over par 76. John Hickey is two Continue reading
Lee Valley Launch Old Head Cup
Fancy a trip to the Old Head? Are you playing off 9 or lower? Are you free any of the next four Thursdays? If so a new Lee Valley competition might be of interest. Jack Boyd and Paul Keohane have come up with a new weekly competition in Lee Valley that’s aimed at single figure golfers. Four weekly qualifiers will take place in August, starting on Thursday 3rd August and three golfers will qualify each week for the series final. The top four golfers from the final will book their place for round of golf in the Old Head in September with the winner on the day claiming the inaugural Old Head Cup. The best golfer each day, along with the runner-up and best gross will all qualify for the final, and there will also be daily prizes on offer.
The entry fee is a very favourable €25 per person with an attractive reduced rate of €15 for full time students. The events will be played from the championships tees in Lee Valley and the blue course should be a tough test for even the most accomplished golfers. The competition came about as Paul and Jack identified Continue reading
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