Jim Long Hon Sec Munster Branch GUI presents Sean Collins Doneraile Golf Club team captain winners of the Mixed Foursomes Munster Final, Gold Coast Golf Club. Picture: Golffile
There was great excitement in Gold Coast GC on Saturday as Doneraile won their first Irish Mixed Foursomes Munster title. Despite the positive weather forecast, golfers had to contend with heavy rain for much of the day. In the morning semi-finals, Tramore overcame Mahon and Doneraile had and impressive win over Dromoland Castle. Both sides stuck with the same pairings for the final and it was a closely matched affair. Tim O’Mahony and Anne Heffernan put an early point on the board for Doneraile when they won on the 15th. That was the only match to finish early as the remaining four went the distance – and beyond. Sean Barrett and Karena Hunter claimed Doneraile’s second point but Keith Ridgard and Maeve Enright won a point for Tramore, both matches finishing on the 18th. The final two matches needed two additional holes to force a decision. John O’Brien and Ann Mitchell balanced the score at 2-2 when they beat Doneraile’s Peter Duane and Anna Cotter on the 20th hole. It all came down to final match between Doneraile’s Eddie Roche and Eileen Coleman and Tramore’s Martin Walsh and Amanda O’Connor. After finishing the 18 holes level, they went on to half the 19th. The match was finally settled on the 20th hole with Roche and Coleman won, securing a first ever Irish Mixed Foursomes pennant for the North Cork club. Team Captain Sean Collins proudly accepted the pennant from Munster Golf’s Jim Long. Doneraile now advance to the All-Ireland semi-finals with hopes of following 2015 winner Dooks in adding a green pennant to their blue pennant from Munster.
There was no joy for Mallow or Blarney today as both lost out to Castletroy in the Irish Junior Foursomes. Blarney took Castletroy all the way to the 18th green before losing out to the Limerick side. Blarney were five down before the turn and narrowed the deficit to 2 holes on the 11th. Castletroy stretched their lead again through the back nine but Blarney weren’t finished and took the match all they way to the 18th green. Castletroy just needed a half and Blarney’s delicate chip for birdie got close but didn’t go in meaning Castletroy 
Munster inter-provincial player Edward Walsh led a strong charge from Mallow today at the Munster U15/17 Close at Carrick on Suir. Walsh was two clear of the field at the end of play, posting a one under par 71. Walsh got off to a great start with a birdie on the first hole but he went on to bogey the index two 4th hole. He played some very steady golf after that, carding 12 pars and 2 birdies. He stood on the 18th tee on -2 but a frustrating three putt on the final hole was the only blemish on a great performance. Walsh, playing off 2, was a member of the victorious Munster U16 Interprovincial team recently. He finished two shots clear of Cahir Park’s Ian Halpin and Fota Island’s Shane Galvin was third with a 74.
Davey Barry (Douglas) is in action at the PGA Assistants Championship, he shot a level par 72 in his first round at Little Aston Golf Club in Bermingham. Barry had three birdies and three bogies in his opening 18 holes, and he’s just inside the top twenty heading into the second round.
Cork Golf News 