Valerie Hassett (President, ILGU) with the Lee Valley Team winners of the Intermediate Cup at the 2015 AIG Ladies Cups and Shields Finals at Knightsbrook Golf Club today (25/09/2015) . Picture by Pat Cashman

Wearing spikes rather than studs, former Irish rugby international Laura Guest found success all the same as she guided Lee Valley to All-Ireland glory.  Guest retired from international rugby last year after a 14-year career in the Irish jersey but she was celebrating another famous victory on Friday night.  A Grand Slam winner with the Irish ladies in 2013, Guest got her hands on an All-Ireland medal in the AIG Intermediate Cup Final at Knightsbrook when Lee Valley beat Malahide in the final at Knightsbrook.  “It’s a bit different here,” said Guest. “I absolutely love the golf.  I’m just lucky that we were here and lucky that we played well. It’s only really this last year that I’ve spent a bit of time playing, I never really had time before.”  Helen Hodson and Catherine O’Sullivan had won their matches comfortably, leaving Lee Valley just one point from overall victory.  Guest had the title in her hands and when she completed a 3&1 victory on the 17th the cup was going back to Cork.  “I couldn’t look at anybody there the last three holes, I just needed to stay focused,” said Guest, who had played in three World Cups with Ireland during her rugby career. Continue reading →