Morgan Cain and Stephen Riordan in UAE golf action

Morgan Cain and Stephen Riordan were in the United Arab Emirates last week, the Cork pair were taking part in the Faldo Series Grand final which saw close to 60 golfers from over 20 countries take part in the 54-hole event.  The Cork lads qualified for the final back in August in Luttrellstown Castle and along with Lauren Kelly book their place at Al Ain.  Morgan Cain from Cork Golf Club finished in 5th place, on 7 under par for his three rounds.

Cain shot rounds of 70, 67 and 66, and the final round 66 included a birdie on the last which ensured he had a top-five Continue reading

Ryan & O’Sullivan take PGA win in Castlemartyr

David Ryan (East Cork) and Shane Sullivan (Callaway Golf) receiving the Munster PGA Fourball Trophy from Ted Higgins at the first Winter Series event at Castlemartyr Links.

The Munster PGA made a welcome return to the course this week with their first Winter Series event in two years.  Castlemartyr Golf Links was the venue for the first event and the format was a fourball with the Munster PGA Fourball Cup on offer for the winners.  David Ryan from East Cork and Shane O’Sullivan from Callaway Golf led the way with a really impressive 63.  The pair set off on an early charge that saw them six under par after eight holes.  Ryan dropped birdies at the 2nd, 5th, 6th and 8th, while O’Sullivan added two more on the 2nd and 7th holes.  The back nine was a bit quieter with six pars and just three birdies, but it meant that they finished on nine under par and were the clear winners with five shots to spare over the field.

Tied for second were Donal McSweeney (Lahinch) and Gavin Continue reading

James Walsh takes first Cork Senior Cup Alliance win

Douglas golfer James Walsh wins first Senior Cup Golf Alliance Event in Muskerry

Douglas golfer James Walsh wins first Senior Cup Golf Alliance Event in Muskerry

Autumn made its presence felt at the weekend for the first time in many months heavy rain on Friday cause the closure of several golf courses, and the rain on Sunday meant that many courses were much quieter than usual.  Rain didn’t stop play for Cork’s newest competition, on Sunday Muskerry Golf Club hosted the Cork Senior Cup Alliance which saw over 20 golfers compete in an 18 hole singles competition.  The competition for members of Cork, Douglas, Monkstown and Muskerry was created to keep a competitive aspect for inter-club players through the winter months.

This is the first winter alliance to be held in Cork for over a decade and while the first four events are scheduled the organisers are hopeful to extend it to other clubs and two more events and venues.  James Walsh from Douglas what is the winner on Sunday, the 17-year-old what is the only Continue reading

Ryan and O’Sullivan win in Castlemartyr

David Ryan (East Cork) and Shane O’Sullivan (Callaway Golf) receiving the Munster PGA Fourball Trophy from Ted Higgins at the first Winter Series event at Castlemartyr Golf Links.

The Munster PGA made a welcome return to the course this week with their first Winter Series event in two years.  Castlemartyr Golf Links was the venue for the first event and the format was a fourball with the Munster PGA Fourball Cup on offer for the winners.  David Ryan from East Cork and Shane O’Sullivan from Callaway Golf led the way with a really impressive 63.  The pair set off on an early charge that saw them six under par after eight holes.  Ryan dropped birdies at the 2nd, 5th, 6th and 8th, while O’ Sullivan added two more on the 2nd and 7th holes.  The back nine was a bit quieter with six pars and just three birdies, but it meant that they finished on nine under par and were the clear winners with five shots to spare over the field.

Tied for second were Donal McSweeney (Lahinch) and Continue reading

O’Keeffe runner-up at South of Ireland

Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) in action in the quarter-finals at the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Peter O’Keeffe came agonisingly close to capturing the South of Ireland Championship last week.  O’Keeffe is a major fan of Lahinch and went to the Pierse Motors sponsored South after finding some form at the British Amateur a few weeks ago.  The Douglas golfer opened the Strokeplay qualifier with a two under par 70 to sit just inside the top ten.  A second round 72 ensured that he finished in the top 25, comfortably qualifying for the matchplay stage.  On Friday he had a tough assignment but dispatched two Irish Internationals.  In the first round he beat Marc Boucher by two holes and on Friday afternoon he wrapped up his match against Alex Maguire with a 3 & 2 win on the 16th green.  Saturday’s matches would Continue reading

3rd Leinster title for Mairead Martin, Murphy 2nd in Finland

Mairead Martin (Kanturk) winner of the Leinster Women’s Championship 2022 at Bray Golf Club, 
Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile

Mairead Martin defeated Co Louth’s Ellen O’Shaughnessy to win the Leinster Women’s Championship.  The Kanturk golfer won 3&1 in a high quality final in tough conditions at Bray Golf Club on Sunday.  The Louisville graduate clearly likes the tournament, and has won it now on three occasions.  In two very tight semi-finals, Mairead defeated Hannah-Lee McNamara on the 17th, while Ellen defeated Katie Poots on the 18th.  Speaking after the win, Martin said: “The final was up and down all day with 1 hole between us most of the match. So really, 17 was the key moment when I hit it very close to seal victory”.   Mairead felt that the key this week was to “keep it Continue reading

Murphy wins Munster Boys in Fermoy

Jack Murphy (Douglas) who won the Munster Boys title at Fermoy Golf Club. Pic: Niall O’Shea

Jack Murphy claimed his third win of 2022 when he put on an impressive display in Fermoy last week.  The 16-year-old Douglas member won the Munster boys Under 18 Open Championship, adding his name to a prestigious list of winners going back over 50 years. Murphy had already secured the Leinster Boys Under 16 and Munster Boys Under 16 titles earlier in the season, and he led from the start in Fermoy when he was the only player under par after the opening round.  He increased his lead after a second round 68.  At that stage it was unlikely that he would be caught but he still needed a solid final Continue reading