Mairead Martin (Kanturk) Picture: Pat Cashman
Four Cork Girls are in action for Ireland today in the Ladies and Girls Home Internationals. Little Aston Golf Club near Brimingham is hosting the both events which get underway today. Despite being eligible for the Girls team, Mairead Martin has been selected for the Ladies team. The Kanturk native has been in great form recently, she won both the Irish Girls Close and the Leinster Ladies Championship in the past three weeks. Mitchelstown’s Valerie Clancy (representing Killarney) will feature on the Girls team alongside Cork’s Rachel Thompson and Douglas’ Sara Byrne.
Last year, Ireland were victorious in the Girls Home Internationals with the Ladies’ honours going to England. Three of the victorious 2016 Girls’ team have returned to defend their title. Clancy, Thompson and Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) will be a source of experience for Captain Gemma Butler, who will be relying on them to lead their fellow teammates.
Ireland take on Scotland today, they face Wales tomorrow and England on the final day.
The combined Girls and Ladies teams (Pic: Derek Byrne)
Ladies Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Ciara Casey (Hermitage)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Paula Grant (Lisburn)
Mairead Martin (Kanturk)
Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little)
Chloe Ryan (Castletroy)
Annabel Wilson (Lurgan)
Reserve: Sinead Sexton (Lahinch)
Team Captain: Danielle McVeigh (RCDL)
Team Manager: Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook)
Team Coach: Donal Scott
Girls’ Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Sara Byrne (Douglas)
Valerie Clancy (Killarney)
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle)
Emma Forbes (Royal Portrush)
Maeve Rooney (Co. Sligo)
Rachel Thompson (Cork)
Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden)
Reserve: Georgia Carr (Milltown)
Team Captain: Gemma Butler (Birr)
Team Manager: Helen Jones (Royal Portrush)
Team Coach: Chris Jelly
Sean was playing in the world kids golf tournament in Silves Portugal , he played in the under 10 years old section , there was kids from all over the world, US, UK, Belgium, South Africa, Holland, Russia, Spain & Many from Portugal. He played three days of 18 hole golf over the 5,700 yards Christy O’Connor Jnr designed course. His net scores were 50 points first day , 39 points second day and on the final day he was three points behind and needed to play at his best. His score was 43 on the last day and he just managed the win, he came first place in the net category based on his age and handicap, which was a step up from coming second place last year. Sean won a gold medal, a watch and golf equipment as the first prize. The the biggest hurdle was the 36 degree heat as the rounds of golf on all days took over 5 1/2 hours, Sean and his family took the tournament in as part of their summer holidays, spending the first week in the Algarve and the last 4 days were spent at the tournament. The tournament is run by the Portuguese Golf Association and controlled under R&A guidelines as 
Mel Deasy (Bantry Bay) is comfortably inside the top ten after the first round of the Irish Boys Under 14 Championship in Ballina. Deasy finished with a birdie three on the 18th to sign for a three over par 74. Deasy has been playing some fine golf this year and has been a key member of the Bantry Bay AIG Junior Cup team.
Muskerry were crowned the new Fred Daly Trophy Munster Champions after a great display of golf in Fermoy today. It was the second day of Munster finals in North Cork, there was no joy for Fota Island in the Junior Foursomes yesterday, and Cork hopes were high with a large contingent of Muskerry supporters present in Fermoy. And those hopes were justified, led from the front by recent Munster Under 15 winner Fionn Hickey, Muskerry overcame stiff challenges from Waterford Castle and holders Limerick to claim their first Fred Day Pennant. They overturned an early deficit in this morning’s semi-final against Waterford Castle to win 3.5-1.5. Wins from Fionn Hickey, Sean Geary and Eoghan O’Shaughnessy on the 19th put them into a tough final against Limerick. Playing off scratch on the day, Muskerry were giving away more than a few shots to the holders. But that didn’t matter as the Muskerry Boys dug in for a historic win. Fionn Hickey led from 
The Boy’s Interprovincial Championships get underway today in Blarney with the U18 and U14 competitions kicking off the three day festival of golf. Mallow trio Edward Walsh, Adam Boland and Greg Barrett lead a strong Cork line up in the Under 18 championship while Bantry’s Mel Deasy and Douglas’ Zak Collins are in action in the Under 14 competition.
Cork’s Rachel Thompson is through to the final four in the Irish Girls Close. Thompson came through two tough rounds in Mallow today, and the leading qualifier is safely through to tomorrow’s semi-final. The Cork golf club member wrapped up yesterday’s first round match on the 13th winning 7&5 but today she went to the 19th before getting past Emma Forbes from Portrush. This afternoon her match with Georgina Carr went to the 17th with the Cork girl taking the match on a 2&1 margin to put her through to tomorrow’s semi-final with Maeve Rooney. There were wins too for Mairead Martin and Valerie Clancy, both golfers also come through two matchplay rounds today to qualify for the semi-final. They now face each other in the second semi-final tomorrow morning.
Cork Golf News 