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Mairead Martin
Top 5 for Murphy in Alabama
John Murphy
Kinsale’s John Murphy got his final US College semester off to a good start with a top five finish in his first tournament. Murphy was competing in Alabama in the Mobile Sports Authority Intercollegiate and shot impressive rounds of 69, 70, 69 in his way to an eight under par finish for the event. Murphy’s Cardinals finished in third place in the team competition, again continuing their good form from the fall series. Murphy now has five more events in the next two months before his Cardinals team head for the play-offs. Murphy was ranked inside top 100 in the US college rankings and this was his fourth top ten Continue reading
Mairead helps Cardinals to title
Kanturk’s Mairead Martin took second place in the Cardinal Cup as University of Louisville Womens Golf earned their first win of the season. Playing as hosts on their home course, Louisville beat the field by eight strokes to come home in style. Mairead was the best placed Louisville golfer, with rounds of 68, 73, 69 to finish on -6.
Now playing in her second year in Louisville, this was her best finish in a college tournament. “It was a really great weekend,” Martin said. “I felt really comfortable out here and I enjoyed it a lot. I felt really proud of my performance, and especially the team’s performance this weekend as well.” She finished in second place, two shots off the lead on 210. She carded a final-round 3-under-par 69, which included four birdies, as all of them came on the back nine. Martin led the tournament in par-3 scoring, finishing with a 2.83 average and 2-under-par. She was also second in par-4 scoring with a 3.87 average.
“It was an unbelievable day,” head coach Whitney Young said. “The team really came together. Everyone contributed this week, and today especially. They just kept fighting and making birdies. To be able to have my first team victory as Continue reading
Mairead Enjoying College Life
Mairead Martin recently enjoyed a few weeks at home after an exciting few months in the US on a golf scholarship in Kentucky. The Kanturk golfer who completed her leaving cert in June and in August she moved to start with their acclaimed womens golf programme. It was a great first semester, Mairead finished the second highest ranked golfer on the roster claiming two top ten finishes on her first five tournaments. It was a busy few months for the teenager as she settled into her new home for the next few years. “The first couple of weeks were tough and quite intense it took a while for me to get used to how busy each day was between school, practice and workouts” explained Mairead. “I struggled to find time to even think about home or even be homesick. When I arrived in Louisville the team and coaches couldn’t have been Continue reading
Super 2017 for Mairead Martin
Kanturk’s Mairead Martin has been hitting the headlines for two years on the golf course, and she’ll be one to watch in 2018 as she play’s what’s likely to be her final full season in Ireland for a few years. The Leaving Cert student is hoping to take up a US college scholarship next year and will be working hard to make another impression. She spent most of the season playing off +1 and had a number of wins and great team performances for club and country. Just six years after first playing golf, Mairead is in the top echelons of the sport. Now the season has ended, Mairead can look back on another successful season. The big win of the year came in Mallow when Mairead claimed a national title. The Irish Girls close was a huge win, especially when it was played Mallow. There was no let up as Mairead went on to win again Continue reading
Clancy & Martin help Killarney to Senior Cup title
Killarney who won the ILGU Senior Cup on Saturday. Pic: Pat Cashmn
Mairead Martin and Valerie Clancy played a key part in Killarney’s Irish Senior Cup win over the weekend. The Cork girls were playing in the ILGU finals at Royal Curragh and they helped Killarney pick up their first national Senior Cup pennant. Mairead who is playing out of Kanturk and Valerie who is from Mitchelstown have been attached to Killarney for several years and while both have had plenty of individual success, this team win was their first at national level. Both have been capped at international level this year so the Senior Cup winners medal is a great finish to a very busy summer season for the pair. Kilkenny were the quarter final opponents and the Cork girls led the playing order with both girls winning their matches. There was more of the same on Friday afternoon when another two wins helped Killarney overcome The Island. On Saturday morning they faced Continue reading
Super 67 for Sara Byrne
Sara Byrne pictured during the Irish Girls Close, picture: Pat Cashman
Sara Byrne shot a career low round of 67 in Douglas on Sunday, and won the Girlie Hegarty Trophy in the process. Six birdies and just one bogey saw Byrne finish well ahead of the field. The sharp shooter was on form, helped by the fact that Douglas is her home course. Sara finished four shots clear of the field with her 65 nett, Aoife Ni Thuama won the best gross with a 73. Bandon’s Sarah Higgins won the 18 hole stableford competition while Aoife Keating (Douglas) won the nine hole competition. It’s been a solid year for the Sara Byrne. The teenager has had a very busy summer and her five under par round was yet another milestone in a year that saw several improvements. Byrne was in action Girls Home Internationals recently, where Ireland narrowly lost out to England, and prior to that she was representing Great Britain and Ireland in Italy at the Junior Vagliano Trophy.
Next up for Sara is the British ladies Strokeplay which takes Continue reading
International Action for Cork Girls
Mairead Martin (Kanturk) Picture: Pat Cashman
Four Cork Girls are in action for Ireland today in the Ladies and Girls Home Internationals. Little Aston Golf Club near Brimingham is hosting the both events which get underway today. Despite being eligible for the Girls team, Mairead Martin has been selected for the Ladies team. The Kanturk native has been in great form recently, she won both the Irish Girls Close and the Leinster Ladies Championship in the past three weeks. Mitchelstown’s Valerie Clancy (representing Killarney) will feature on the Girls team alongside Cork’s Rachel Thompson and Douglas’ Sara Byrne.
Last year, Ireland were victorious in the Girls Home Internationals with the Ladies’ honours going to England. Three of the victorious 2016 Girls’ team have returned to defend their title. Clancy, Thompson and Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) will be a source of experience for Captain Gemma Butler, who will be relying on them to lead their fellow teammates.
Ireland take on Scotland today, they face Wales tomorrow and England on the final day.
The combined Girls and Ladies teams (Pic: Derek Byrne)
Ladies Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Ciara Casey (Hermitage)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Paula Grant (Lisburn)
Mairead Martin (Kanturk)
Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little)
Chloe Ryan (Castletroy)
Annabel Wilson (Lurgan)
Reserve: Sinead Sexton (Lahinch)
Team Captain: Danielle McVeigh (RCDL)
Team Manager: Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook)
Team Coach: Donal Scott
Girls’ Home International Matches
Little Aston, 9 – 11 August
Sara Byrne (Douglas)
Valerie Clancy (Killarney)
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle)
Emma Forbes (Royal Portrush)
Maeve Rooney (Co. Sligo)
Rachel Thompson (Cork)
Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden)
Reserve: Georgia Carr (Milltown)
Team Captain: Gemma Butler (Birr)
Team Manager: Helen Jones (Royal Portrush)
Team Coach: Chris Jelly
Second Leinster Women’s title for Mairead Martin
Mairead Martin (Kanturk) Picture: Pat Cashman
Mairead Martin is currently on a great run of form, the Kanturk teenager picked up another major championship at the weekend in Dublin. Fresh from her win at the Irish Girls Close last week, Mairead headed to Donabate with hopes of winning the Leinster Womens Championship for a second time. She came through the 36 qualifier in 4th place, just two shots off the lead which was set by Shannon Burke. Martin had a 6&5 win over home favourite Nicole McGavisk in the first round and followed that with a 5&4 win over Castlewarden’s Clodagh Walsh on Saturday afternoon. She had a 2&1 win over Maedbh Doyle in the semi final and despite a slow start in the final she wrapped up a 2&1 win over Rachel McDonnell.
“My game was really solid all week and I holed a lot of good putts” said a happy Mairead after her win. “I felt a bit under pressure in the last matchplay game, especially as I was 3 down through 9, but I managed to bring it back with 2 birdies in a row to gain some momentum, and then I played really well on the home stretch.” This is the second time Mairead will have her name engraved on the trophy having beaten Maria Dunne in the final in Ardee as a youngster in 2015. The busy summer continues for Martin, she’s off to play in the Home Internationals in Little Aston on Friday and after that it’s on to the British Girls in Enville Golf Club near Birmingham.
Mairead Martin wins Irish Girls Close Championship
Mairead Martin (Kanturk) with the Girls Close Championship (Blake Cup) trophy after her victory at the 2017 Irish Girls Close Championship at Mallow Golf Club today. Picture by Pat Cashman
Kanturk’s Mairead Martin claimed her first national title today, and did so in front of a huge crowd of supporters in Mallow Golf Club. Martin claimed the Irish Girls Close title after five days of golf in Mallow, and did so in style – never going beyond the 15th hole in the five matchplay rounds. After confidently striking her first tee shot down their middle of the fairway, Mairead went 1 up through1 and didn’t ease up from there. Four up at the turn, birdies at the 10th and 11th saw Martin go 6 up with 7 holes to play. The match was finished in style with an eagle from Mairead at the 444-yard par 5 12th to close out the game 7&6.
“I’m delighted to win, my short game was on form this week, I pitched in for eagle on the 12th this afternoon to win the match which was a good way to finish”” said a happy Mairead. “I was at home in my own bed all week too which was also nice and to have so much support from the club was class! I had my sister on the bag too this week which was entertaining! She doesn’t play much golf but I hope she might Continue reading
Cork Golf News 