Gary O’Flaherty

Scratch Cup Wins for O’Neill, Howard and O’Flaherty

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

There were three Cork winners over the weekend, David Howard and Gary O’Flaherty won scratch cups in East Cork and Muskerry while Karen O’Neill won the Castletroy Scratch Cup.

Four birdies helped first time winner O’Neill to finish one under par in Castletroy, and she was delighted with the win.  “To be honest I’m delighted with the win, it’s my first win” said O’Neill after the victory.  “I was actually in an accident back in October so I’ve been working hard over the last couple of months to get back playing so I’m delighted.  I missed a short one for birdie on 3 then birdied 4 and 7, had a bogey on 9 then birdied 14 and 15.  I stumbled over the finish line with bogeys on 17 and 18 but thankfully got it done.”

Next up on the ladies circuit is the Ballybunion Continue reading →

Walsh stays the course in Lee Valley

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

BoyleSports Lee Valley Scratch Cup winner Robbie Walsh (Douglas) pictured with Peter Tuite from BoyleSports and Lee Valley officers Jack Noonan and Liam Power. (Pic: Niall O’Shea)

Robbie Walsh produced a great performance to win the BoyleSports Lee Valley Scratch Cup last weekend, winning the 54 hole event after leading from start.  The Douglas member hung in there in the final round, displaying huge determination to stay ahead of a stellar chasing pack.  Walsh led after the opening round, shooting the low round of the tournament with a three under par 69.  He followed that with a level par 72 to hold a three shot lead heading to the final round.

As final rounds go, it proved to be an entertaining contest.  Walsh birdied the first two holes and when nearest challenger Gary O’Flaherty bogied the first the lead was six shots.  Things changed though when Walsh dropped four shots in the next three holes.  With nine holes left his lead was down to two shots, but that’s as close as the field got to him.  He reeled off eight birdies and a single bogey on the way home and although David Reddan and Jack Murphy threatened they never got close enough.  In front of a large gallery Robbie Continue reading →

Lee Valley set for 20th Scratch Cup

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

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 →

O’Mahony goes low in Lahinch, South of Ireland Day Two…

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Douglas Senior Scratch Cup 2019_Greg O'Mahony_4

Greg O’Mahony after winning the Douglas Scratch Cup earlier this year

Greg O’Mahony was the only Cork golfer to break par on a tough day in Lahinch today.  The Fota Island golfer went around in three under as the wind and rain tested golfers.

A total of eight golfers made the cut for tomorrow’s matchplay.  Peter O’Keeffe finished his 36 holes on one under and Sean Desmond was two shots behind.  Cork duo Gary O’Flaherty and Paul Buckley were both safely through on +2, and Cathal Butler had to endure a short wait before all of the +4’s were safely inside the top 59.  With James Sugrue and John Murphy, there will be a strong Cork challenge tomorrow with eight golfers hoping to make it through the first round.

Gallery: South of Ireland Day 2, strokeplay qualifier second round

Play gets underway at 7am tomorrow, with the second round starting after the completion of the first round matches.  Live scoring will be available at regular intervals.

South of Ireland Matchplay Draw

7.00am: James Sugrue v Jack Doherty
7.36am: Peter O’Keeffe v James Fox
7.45am: Paul Buckley v Shane O’Connor
8.48am: John Murphy v Aaron Ryan
10.18am: Greg O’Mahony v Evan Farrell
10.45am: Sean Desmond v Jack Ryan
11.12am: Cathal Butler v Ronan Mullarney
11.21am: Gary O’Flaherty v TJ Ford

O’Keeffe keeps up momentum in Lahinch

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
Gameface; Peter O'Keeffe in action in the South of Ireland in Lahinch last year

Gameface; Peter O’Keeffe in action in the South of Ireland in Lahinch last year

Following his great performance at the North of Ireland two weeks ago, Peter O’Keeffe kept the championship momentum going with an opening 68 in Lahinch today.  The opening round of the South of Ireland got underway today in benign conditions, and O’Keeffe was the first of the early starters to post a low score.  The Douglas golfer started with a hot hand, birdieing the first two holes.  He gave a shot back on the Klondyke, he got it back on the 9th to turn on three under.

Another birdie followed on the 10th and Peter had eight steady pars before a final birdie on the last.  That put him in the clubhouse lead, although lower scores would follow.  Cathal Butler had shot a 71 (-1), and Sean Desmond would follow with an impressive 67 later in the morning.  Paul Buckley and Greg O’Mahony both shot level par, and Paul Tobin and Gary O’Flaherty finished on 73 to Continue reading →