Ballybunion Golf Club

No Joy for Mallow in Fred Daly Munster Semi-Final

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Fred Daly Trophy Munster Finals, Newcastle West Golf Club, Saturday 6th August 2016Mallow suffered a loss at the hands of a strong Limerick side in Newcastle West yesterday in the Munster semi-final of the Fred Daly Trophy.  The previous evening Mallow had lost a nail biting final in the Irish Junior Foursomes, but they pitched up in Newcastle West on Saturday morning with a strong side ready for battle.  Adam Boland, Liam Dowling, Greg Barrett and Edward Walsh all started for Mallow, with Daniel O’Sullivan taking the anchor spot having played in the Junior Foursomes.

Gallery: Fred Daly Trophy Munster semi-finals at Newcastle West

It was a tight match all the way through, Limerick had a narrow lead at the halfway point and similar to Friday’s play Mallow staged a comeback on the back nine.  Limerick however weren’t to be caught and the 16th and 17th proved crucial as Limerick picked up the three points on these holes.  Ed Walsh won Continue reading →

O’Flaherty runner-up in Ballybunion Senior Scratch Cup

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Munster Strokeplay Championship 2016

Gary O’Flaherty (Cork)

Gary O’Flaherty proved he’s a golfer on form last weekend when he finished in second place at the Ballybunion Senior Scratch Cup.  The 2014 winner was just one shot behind winner Fergal O’Sullivan (Tralee) on level par.  This is the third year that Cork golfer finished in the top two, 2015 winner Ed Stack was third also finishing on level par.

Keith Crowley (Fota Island) was fourth and James Sugrue (Mallow) was fifth, both finished on +1 total of 144.  Jack Howard (Fota Island) finished just inside the top ten and Mark Ford (Cork) was 11th.  Mallow’s Eoin Goggin won the nett prize on -4.

The next senior scratch cup takes place Continue reading →

Muskerry can rise to finals challenge

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The mantle of champions can sometimes place a heavy weight on a side but not so for the Muskerry team.  They’ve taken every opportunity on their path to Carton House and while they had some impressive wins they also had a few close calls.  As hosts in the South Munster qualifier, they had impressive wins over Blarney, Cork and Bandon but they very nearly came unstuck in their second round match against Monkstown.  Monkstown had a put to win the match on the 19th hole and Muskerry were lucky to survive.  They went on to win on the 20th hole and from there they went on to have two impressive wins over Cork and Bandon.

Gallery: Barton Shield Munster Final

AIG Barton Shield & AIG Senior Cup Munster FinalsThe same was true in Dungarvan at the Munster finals.  Muskerry had a seven hole win over Youghal in the semi-final but it took a dramatic 18th green finish to beat Shannon.  With a total of three holes left to play Muskerry were one down and the odds were stacked in favour of Shannon.  As it happened Muskerry were to produce another clutch performance as they went on to win all three remaining holes.  Niall Gorey and David O’Donovan dove-tailed well on the 18th.  O’Donovan had a great drive and Gorey made the par five green with an excellent long range iron over the water.  O’Donovan narrowly missed the 9 foot putt but Continue reading →

Murphy wins Kerry Boy’s Championship

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Kinsale's john Murphy with the Kerry Boy's Cup Picture: Gary Ward (@GWard71)

Kinsale’s john Murphy with the Kerry Boy’s Cup
Picture: Gary Ward (@GWard71)

After a long summer of good golf, Kinsale’s John Murphy finally bagged a big win when he won the Kerry Boy’s Championship at Ballybunion.  It was a great week to be in Ballybunion, the sun was out all week and the Cashen course was in great condition.  Murphy made it through to the final day but faced an in-form Sean Desmond in the semi-final.  Although Desmond must have had a Munster semi-final in the AIG Senior Cup in the back of his mind, he proved to be a tough opponent and he took Murphy to the the 17th Continue reading →

Desmond, Murphy & O’Connor in the hunt at Kerry Boys

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Sean Desmond (Monkstown Golf Club)

Sean Desmond (Monkstown Golf Club)

There’s still plenty of Cork interest in the Kerry Boys at Ballybunion with three of the four semi-finalists coming from Cork.  Sean Desmond (Monkstown) had a 5&4 win this morning and this afternoon he beat Kinsale’s Gary Ward on the 20th after a tough battle.  Desmond will face John Murphy (Kinsale) in the semi-final, Murphy finished off his first round match on the 13th green this morning and he won on the 15th this afternoon.  Muskerry’s James O’Connor is also through to the semi-finals, he beat Fota’s David Howard this morning and beat a fancied Rory Hill (Tralee) Continue reading →