GUI Munster Golf

Munster win against Connacht, Senior Interprovincials

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2017 Interprovincial Matches at Carlow Golf Club

Peter Sinclair (President, GUI) presenting Seamus McParland (Team Captain) with the 2017 Interprovincial trophy after Leinster victory at Carlow Golf Club today (05/07/2017). Also in the picture in front (from left) John Cullen (Team Manager), Moling Lennon (Captain, Carlow Golf Club) and John Ferriter (Chairman, Leinster Golf, GUI). Team members at back (from left) Caolan Rafferty, Jake Whelan, Eugene Smith, Jonathan Yates, Mark Power, Alan Lowry, Conor Purcell and Daniel Holland. Picture by Pat Cashman

Munster had a very strong closing performance in the final day of the Senior Interprovincials.  They won both sessions to claim a win against Connacht which gave some satisfaction after two tough days.  Foursomes wins from O’Keeffe and McCormack meant that the pair were unbeaten in three matches.  Gary O’Flaherty and Geoff Lenehan picked up their second win as a pair and Jack Pierse and John Murphy secured a half to win the session.  Afternoon wins from O’Keeffe, Lenehan, Griffin, Pierse and O’Flaherty secured the win for Munster.  Unfortunately Munster could only finish 3rd, losing a spot on the countback to Ulster.  The third place probably didn’t reflect how close Munster came to a win.  They were within one match of halving with Leinster and Ulster battled back to claim a half on Tuesday.  Leinster completed their first hat-trick since 1964 by winning a third successive Interprovincial Championship at Carlow.

Not since that great side of the ’60s won four on the trot from ’62 to ’65 have Leinster managed such a streak. And with three wins on the board, this was a thumping success.

Following wins against Munster and Connacht, Leinster only needed to halve with Ulster in order to retain the title but they made certain anyway, victorious for the third day running.  Dominant Continue reading →

Munster set for Interpro’s, Day 1 at Carlow Golf Club

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Phil Cooney, Captain of the Munster Senior Interprovincial Team

Phil Cooney

Munster Captain Phil Cooney has named his pairings for this mornings foursomes match which tee’s off in Carlow at 8am.  Peter O’Keeffe and Andrew McCormack lead out the Munster side which will face Leinster.  The seven golfers to contest the singles will be announced later this morning with the singles scheduled to get underway at 1pm.

Cooney is looking for his third interprovincial title and has a strong team in place to challenge.

Munster v Leinster (Foursomes)

Peter O’Keeffe & Andrew McCormack
v
Jonathan Yates & Mark Power

John Murphy & James Sugrue
v
Caolan Rafferty & Eugene Smith

Geoff Lenehan & Jack Pierse
v
Conor Purcell & Jake Whelan

Gary O’Flaherty & Eanna Griffin
v
Daniel Holland & Alan Lowry

Crean & O’Donovan Challenge in Leinster.

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Munster Seniors Open Championship 2016, Tramore Golf Club, Wednesday 11th May 2016

Donal O’Donovan

Jerry Crean and Donal O’Donovan are tied for fourth after they both shot opening rounds of 76 in the Leinster Seniors Open at Dun Laoghaire.  Kinsale’s Crean had a tough start with bogies on the first and second, and a double bogey on the ninth meant that he turned on +4.  He made the trip back in level par though, and that saw him finish in a tie for fourth place.  Donie O’Donovan had a better start with a birdie on the 2nd, but a few dropped shots saw him turn on +2.  He followed that with eight straight pars but a mistake on the final hole cost him two shots and he also signed for a 76 (+4).

Holder Micheal Quirke is one shot back alongside Tom Cleary on 77, both are in a large group that are tied for 10th place.  Both are six shots off the lead and still in with a chance of challenging in tomorrow’s final round.  Fota’s George Mellerick is back in the pack after a disappointing 85.  Dun Laoghaire Golf Course proved to be a very testing challenge for the players at the Leinster Seniors Championship today despite the very benign conditions.  Frank Flynn (Laytown & Bettystown) leads Continue reading →

Just four teams remain, AIG Senior Cup

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AIG Senior Cup Munster Finals, Cork Golf Club, Saturday13th August 2016

Sean Desmond who helped Monkstown to two wins today

Sixteen teams started out in Mallow this morning and now just four remain after a bumper day of golf in North Cork.

Munster Champions Monkstown advanced this morning with a win over Muskerry.  This afternoon no less than three matches went to the 19th before they overcame Muskerry in a thrilling match.  Monkstown face Cork tomorrow, the reigning Barton champions saw off Castlemartyr.

Kinsale’s young guns are still in the hunt, they had two good wins, accounting for Mahon and Bandon.  Hosts Mallow were expected to play well and they obliged with a win over Fota Island although Fota made them work for their win. This afternoon they faced Lee Valley who beat Douglas in the first round this morning.  The hosts prevailed this evening to set up at match with Kinsale tomorrow morning.  The first match gets underway at 9am tomorrow.

Full Draw & Results: AIG Senior Cup :: South Munster 2017

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Munster Debuts for Murphy & Sugrue

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John Murphy of Ireland during the final round

John Murphy, Pic: Tristan Jones

John Murphy and James Sugrue are set to make the Munster senior debuts next month in Carlow, they are two of three new caps to be named on the Munster Senior Interprovincial team.  Both Murphy and Sugrue have represented Munster at Boys level and are set to join the senior ranks in a new look team.  Captain Phil Cooney has named Murphy, Sugrue and Dublin based Jack Pierse in a team that see’s four changes from last year.  Waterford’s Eanna Griffin has also been named in the side that see’s four changes from last year.

It’s the biggest shake up in several years, although all eight golfers were the form players over the past few months, they took the top eight spots on the qualifying order of merit.  Cooney along with selectors John Carroll and Michael Coote had four picks to make after Peter O’Keeffe, Robin Dawson, John Murphy and Continue reading →