Mardyle Arena

O’Flaherty and Hickey set for Cork Challenge

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Cork's Gary O'Flaherty in action in Lee Valley, he's on of several local golfers in action in the Munster Strokeplay Championship this weekend. Picture: Niall O'Shea

Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty in action in Lee Valley, he’s on of several local golfers in action in the Munster Strokeplay Championship this weekend.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

The top golfers from Cork, Munster and Ireland will gather in Cork Golf Club on Saturday morning for the 72 hole Munster Strokeplay Championship.  Now in its tenth year, the Munster Strokeplay took the place of the Cork Scratch Cup which was the oldest competition of its type in the country.  In the past decade the competition has attracted a top class field and this year two thirds of the field are playing off a plus handicap. Continue reading →

Davey’s Delight in Lee Valley

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A smiling David O'Donovan pictured with the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup after winning the Mardyke Arena sponsored tournament. Picture: Niall O'Shea
A smiling David O’Donovan pictured with the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup after winning the Mardyke Arena sponsored tournament.
Picture: Niall O’Shea

Dave O’Donovan held his overnight lead to claim victory in the Mardyke Arena Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup this afternoon.  The win puts O’Donovan into the crosshairs for Munster selection , especially given that Phil Cooney and Fred Twomey were both in attendance to watch over the field.

O’Donovan held a three shot lead but there were six golfers within six strokes and the job was by no means complete.  Robin Dawson lead the early pace, posting a five under par 67.  He was one of only four players to break par over the weekend but it did bring him up to 6th place from his overnight placing back in the field.  O’Donovan’s playing partners were three off the lead but neither could overhaul the deficit. Continue reading →

O’Donovan Leads in Lee Valley

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Tournament leader Dave O'Donovan Picture Golf: Paul Coleman ‏@Coleman_Golf

Tournament leader Dave O’Donovan
Picture: Paul Coleman ‏@Coleman_Golf

Dave O’Donovan (Muskerry) leads the Lee Valley Mardyke Arena Senior Scratch Cup by three strokes going in to the final round.  O’Donovan was the only golfer to break par in over 120 rounds of golf.  His opening two under par 70 was followed by a 74, leaving him on a level par total of 144 for the two rounds. Gary O’Flaherty is the closest contender, he’s three shots back.  He bettered his opening 74 with a 73 in the afternoon.  O’Flaherty’s 73 was one of the low rounds of the afternoon an the wind and rain passed through the Clashure course.  John Hickey (Cork) and Blane Lynch (Ballinrobe) are also within three of the lead on 147. Continue reading →

Youghal’s Conor Coyne Wins in Muskerry

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Shane Sadler, sponsor, presenting the Muskerry Senior Scratch Cup to Conor Coyne, Youghal Golf Club, following his victory on Saturday last. Included are Seamus O'Brien, President and David Taylor, Captain at Muskerry GC. Picture: Mike English

Shane Sadler, sponsor, presenting the Muskerry Senior Scratch Cup to Conor Coyne, Youghal Golf Club, following his victory on Saturday last. Included are Seamus O’Brien, President and David Taylor, Captain at Muskerry GC.
Picture: Mike English

Youghal’s Conor Coyne made a huge breakthrough on Saturday when he captured the Muskerry Scratch Cup.  The event had a full field with Gary O’Flaherty, Ronan Twomey, Niall Gorey and holder John Hickey all tipped to play well.  The 36 hole event was again sponsored by Shane Sadler and the course was in great condition for the showpiece event.  Mallow’s Ian Spillane held the lead after 18 holes.  He had a one shot lead over holder John Hickey, with Castlemartyr’s Mark Shanahan back in third place but four shots off the lead.  Continue reading →

Top Golfers heading to Lee Valley

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Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup Launch

Some of Ireland’s top amateur golfers are heading for Lee Valley this weekend for the Mardyke Arena Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup.  The 54 holes competition has been running since 2009 and has consistently attracted a top class field.  One of the key measures of the success of the event is that at least 11 participants have turned professional since it started in 2009.  They include 2009 winner Shane Lowry who played in The Masters recently and 2014 winner Rory McNamara who turned professional shortly after winning last April.  Continue reading →

McNamara wins at Lee Valley

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McNamara wins at Lee Valley

Golf_Lee Valley SSC_Rory McNamara1_April2014Golf_Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup2_Mardyke Arena_April2014

By Niall O’Shea

Headfort’s Rory McNamara won the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup over the weekend, and added his name to a prestigious list of past winners.  Reigning champion Gary O’Flaherty was in the running right up to the end.  He held the joint lead with McNamara as they both finished on -2 after Saturday’s 36 holes.  Continue reading →