Sugrue through to US Amateur Matchplay

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James Sugrue

James Sugrue

James Sugrue is through to the final 64 in the US Amateur in Pinehurst, North Carolina.  The Mallow man was on the cut line of +4 when play was suspended last night, and had two holes to play to complete his round.  Needing two pars to get rthrough, Sugrue made quick work of the par three 17th, birdieing the hole to put himself in a great position.  He finished off the round with a regulation par on the difficult closing hole to qualify in the top half of the draw on +3.

Speaking after the strokeplay was completed, Sugrue was delighted to progress.  “I was just thinking par-par to be honest as they are two tough holes.  There was a lot of rain overnight and the course softened up a bit, so I was delighted to make the putt on 17.  The greens had been running at 13.5 so I had been very tentative earlier in the week.”  Pinehurst No 2, famous from the 2014 US Open among other majors is proving to be one of the toughest US Amateur courses, the 7,400 yard Donald Ross designed course is playing to a stroke average of 77, proving to be a worthy challenge for the world’s top amateurs.

The Amateur Champion is up against England’s Alex Fitzpatrick in the round of 64 and he’s looking forward to the matchplay format, despite the challenge of the course.    “It’s the hardest course I’ve played and you have to be really cute about where you put the ball.  At least now I can give a few putts a go after the rain.”

Mullingar win for Murphy

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John Murphy (Kinsale)4

John Murphy, Pic: Pat Cashman

John Murphy reaped the rewards after long frustrating summer – one that demanded plenty of resilience and perseverance – he won the prestigious Mullingar Scratch Cup today to record his biggest win on home soil.  “It’s been a tough season, and while I kept plugging away, things weren’t happening for me” said an excited Murphy.  “I am heading back to Louisville next Saturday so I said I’d give it one more crack instead of just throwing in the towel on the summer. I am very relieved with this one.”  Originally a Walker Cup panellist, Murphy has had a frustrating three months at home.  Trips to England and Scotland were fruitless and outside of Kinsale qualifying for the Barton Shield finals Continue reading →

Less than a week to go to Kinsale Pro Shop Challenge

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Kinsale Pro Shop Challenge 3_July 2018_2 (002)There’s less than a week to go to Kinsale’s Pro Shop Challenge is back, the fourth staging of the annual charity fundraiser.  And there’s a change this year with Kinsale’s two amateur internationals taking on the Pro’s.  The Kinsale Pro team remains the same, Ger Broderick and Ian Stafford are currently in training in the hope of winning back the title they lost last year.  The line up on the other side has changed though, the amateurs are now restyled as the “internationals” with 14 year old Eoghan Cassidy teaming up with senior Irish international John Murphy.  Murphy is currently on the senior Irish team while Cassidy is on both the Irish Under 14 and Under 16 squads.  The event takes place next Thursday, and there should be a great afternoon of golf and fun.  “The event itself is a fourball betterball match between Ger and myself and John Eoghan” explained Continue reading →

O’Brien & Bornemann named on Irish Seniors Team

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John O'Brien

John O’Brien

John O’Brien and Karl Bornemann have been named on the Irish team that will take part in the European Senior Mens Championship next month.  It’s a first call up for O’Brien while Bornemann returns to the team after playing on the winning team in 2017.

Earlier this week, O’Brien got a call from Irish Seniors Captain Michael Coote and it was a a dream come true.  “It was the best feeling ever” said the Castlemartyr man.  “I worked so hard this year with Cian McNanara and put in a  lot of work to get down to my lowest handicap of +1.1.  I’ve been playing a lot of golf and it’s starting to pay off.  I can’t wait to play in Denmark representing Ireland in the European championships, it’s a dream come true for me I hope to do my family and club proud.”  O’Brien recently set the course record in Blarney where he is also a member, and he was runner up at the Ulster Seniors last week.  His consistent performances had caught the Continue reading →

Hickey, Byrne, Thompson, Cassidy & Murphy all in international action today

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Fionn Hickey

Fionn Hickey

Muskerry’s Fionn Hickey made his international debut this week, and the 16 year old did himself proud at the Boys Home Internationals.  The annual event took place in Ashburnham Golf Club in Wales and Ireland opened with a win over Scotland on Tuesday.  It was a disappointing start for Fionn as he narrowly lost his singles match.  There was better luck for the Muskerry man yesterday as Ireland beat Wales and Fionn won his singles match against Toby Bishop.  That win set Ireland up for a winner takes all match against England today.  Hickey partnered Dylan Keating for a half this morning with Ireland taking a lead, the score was 3.5 to 1.5 after the foursomes.  Fionn won his match this afternoon, but the wind was in the English sails.  They won six of the matches to win by a single point and take the title.  While the final result was a disappointment, England were the favourites and solid play from Hickey on his debut will spur him on for a strong end to the season.

Girls & Womens Home Internationals

Sara Byrne was also in action for the Irish Girls over the Continue reading →

Desmond & O’Mahony claim first Munster Caps, Senior Interprovincial team named

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Sean Desmond

Sean Desmond (Monkstown) teeing off the 9th in Lahinch during the third round of the South of Ireland Championship. Pic: Niall O’Shea

Sean Desmond and Greg O’Mahony are set to earn their first Munster senior caps having been named in the Munster Interprovincial team today.  The Cork duo are among three new faces in the Munster team that also see’s Pat Murray return after missing out last year.  Captain Michael Coote and Manager George Mellerick have assembled a strong team as Munster hope to retain the title.  Desmond was a strong contender for a spot after winning the South Of Ireland earlier this month, and although be missed out on an automatic spot he was certainly to the forefront of the selectors minds.  Greg O’Mahony also picks up his first cap on the back of solid championship performances.  He reached the last 32 in the South and the last 16 in the Irish Close in Ballybunion earlier this week.  Pat Murray makes a welcome return to the team, the Tipperary native has a long and distinguished record and his matchplay experience will balance the young look to the team.

Peter O’Keeffe and Eanna Griffin were automatic picks having finished in the top three in Continue reading →