Doneraile win Junior Home Nations

Doneraile Junior Home Nations team

There was great excitement in Doneraile last week when the club secured its first international title.  The juniors won the Junior Home Nations in England.  The team qualified for the competition thanks to the Doneraile U19 Girls team finishing second in the All Ireland finals last August.  The girls were joined by the Doneraile Boys Fred Daly team to form the team of eight.  Brendan O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Doneraile junior Academy was delighted with the success, “It was an outstanding performance over the 4 days to win the Junior Home Nations 2023.”

“By combining our U19 Girls team; Muireann O’Sullivan (Captain), Niamh O’Sullivan, Anna O’Brien & Caoimhe O’Shaughnessy (Junior Girls Captain 2023) and the Boys Fred Daly team; Ryan Carleton (Captain), Cian O’Brien, Sean Williams and Ben O’Shea, under the Continue reading

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Jack Murphy wins Connacht Boys

Jack Murphy 
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Jack Murphy got his season off to a flying start with another provincial win last week.  The Douglas golfer was in Ballinrobe for the Connacht Boys and he came home with the trophy after two impressive under par rounds.

Fota’s John Doyle led the event after the opening round with Murphy one behind in second place.  Murphy got off to a great start in the second round, he birdied his opening hole and added three more birdies before the turn to put himself into the lead.  He dropped a few shots coming back but crucially he kept the big numbers off the card.  In the end he won by two shots from Ballinasloe’s Charlie Mooney.

Murphy was delighted to pick up the win.  “I was quite happy after round one.  I struck it nicely and stayed in contention which is crucial as no one can win a tournament on day one but certainly can put themselves out of it”.  I definitely felt like I had the chance to go out Continue reading

Walsh & Hegarty win Munster Womens Championhsips, No joy for Cork in Co Sligo

Paula Walsh, Doneraile who won the Munster Women’s Senior Championship. Pic: Golffile, Golf Ireland

Doneraile’s Paula Walsh claimed her second Munster Women’s Senior Amateur Open Championship after a thrilling playoff win in Monkstown.  Walsh shot a 69 in the 18 hole event to hold off the challenge of Lisa Cullen, Aideen Walsh and Lauren Kelly who all finished just one stroke behind.

The Corkonian, who also won this title in 2017, was level par for her front nine and despite birding the 11th she dropped back to level again before the crucial birdie on the last.  This victory is also a huge early season boost for Walsh’s claims in the Bridgestone Order of Merit.  After securing the silverware in Monkstown, Walsh is excited about what lies ahead for the rest of 2023.  “I’m delighted to win. It’s a great win and my second time winning the Munster Championship,” said Walsh.  “It’s good to get off started in the

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McSweeney Claims 3rd Win in Muskerry

Pictures from the Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy semi-finals. Picture: Niall O’Shea

John McSweeney beat all in front of him in Muskerry last weekend, and in doing so he won the Muskerry Junior Scratch Trophy.  The win was John’s third, an amazing achievement in Cork’s toughest competition.  The Muskerry member first won the competition twenty years ago in 2003, and he added a second win two years ago in 2021.  A 2&1 win over fellow Muskerry member Jack Kelleher on Sunday afternoon gave John his third win in the only six round matchplay event in the junior matchplay range.

McSweeney was one of 64 matchplay competitors to make it though from the qualifier held in March.  Six rounds of matchplay competition took place over three days from Friday, and just to make things Continue reading

Jim Long elected Golf Ireland President

Jim Long pictured with Monkstown members after he was elected President of Golf Ireland

Monkstown’s Jim Long was last weekend appointed the new Golf Ireland President at the 2023 AGM.  Long has served in many different roles in golf’s administration, and his succession as President follows two decades of work at local and national level.  Jim served as Honorary Secretary for the Munster Branch until he moved to the position of Chairman in 2017 where he served for three years.  With the incorporation of Golf Ireland, Jim served as the Chairman of the Munster Regional Executive before being elected as Golf Ireland President Elect in 2022.

As well as his involvement as an Continue reading

Lee Valley set for 20th Scratch Cup

Gary O’Flaherty is a four time winner of the  Lee Valley Scratch Cup. Picture: Niall O’Shea

The 20th staging of the Lee Valley Scratch Cup takes place in April and the Ovens club is planning for another bumper event.  Already it looks like a top class field will be competing including the holder Gary O’Flaherty.  The Cork Golf Club member has taken a shine to the event, last year was his fourth time winning the scratch cup since his first win in 2012.

Lee Valley Captain Liam Power is looking forward to the return of the two day competition.  “As the 2023 Captain and like all other previous Captains you’re excited to put your calendar together for the year ahead with annual Lee Valley Senior Scratch being high on the list to lock in dates.  As Captain, I’m really looking forward to seeing the best amateurs test their skills against Lee Valley course.  I’ve played in a few of them and can testify the challenge that faces the lads.”

Power is hoping for a home win, the first since 2011.  Given the success of the Lee Valley Senior Cup team last year there’s every chance that the home side will challenge.  “We came close last year with local member Ian Bohane in the last group with a great chance of winning but unfortunately it wasn’t to be Ian’s day. Not being biased, it would be Continue reading

Cope Alliance launch 46th season

One of Cork’s most impressive golfing groups have finalised plans for their 2023 season.  The Cope Golf Alliance is now in it’s 46th year and the group plan to have another busy year where as well as plenty of golf, they’ll also continue to raise funds for Cope Foundation.  Since the late 1970’s the alliance has raised  over €1.7million and this year they expect to add over €40,000 to that total.

Mens Captain James Doolan is looking forward to the season, his 20th year as a member.  “Everyone involved with the Cope Golf Alliance is looking forward to the 2023 season, which kicks off for the Ladies on April 3rd at Cork G.C., and on April 24th for the Men, at Monkstown.  The Alliance members are drawn from Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry Golf Clubs.  Because the four clubs give their courses free of charge for Alliance competitions, the entire amount collected from members (€75 each), goes to the COPE Foundation.  We also have generous, long-standing sponsors who take care of the prizes for each outing, and at our recent AGM, we presented a cheque for €43,500 to the Cope Foundation.” Continue reading