Long Read: Senior Cup Success for Monkstown

Monkstown bounced back from a heart-breaking Munster final loss last year, and secured their first Senior Cup pennant for 53 years. 

AIG Senior Cup Munster Finals, Cork Golf Club, Saturday13th August 2016

Monkstown Golf Club banished the harsh memories from last year as the bounced back to win the AIG Senior Cup Munster final.  Losses in finals, especially on the final green can generate mental scar tissue, but the Monkstown team showed no signs of weakness as they negotiated their way through a semi-final match against Ballybunion and a final win over Castletroy.  That’s not to say that Monkstown didn’t have Continue reading

Wins for Monkstown & Cork but no joy for Fermoy; AIG Cups & Shields round-up

Cork Golf Club was a hive of activity over the weekend.  With three pennants up for grabs, Monkstown, Cork and Fermoy went in search of glory.  With the course in Little Island in great shape, there was some great golf on display.  The Island was playing hard and fast, and the recent dry weather led a links like feel to the course.  There were wins for Cork and Monkstown but it was a step too far for Fermoy as they lost out in their semi-final with Tralee.

Munster Golf AIG Barton Shield 2016

Monkstown receive the Pennant for winning the Munster Golf AIG Senior Cup at Cork Golf Club.  Picture: Thos Caffrey / http://www.golffile.ie 

Monkstown won Munster AIG Senior Cup title for the first time on over half a century, beating Castletroy in an exciting Munster final.  12 months ago Sean Desmond won a dramatic match on the 20th green in Dungarvan to take Monkstown to a Senior Cup Munster Final.  Limerick beat them that day in the final, but Sean Desmond was again the hero, this time claiming the winning point on the 18th.  Desmond needed a point after Martin Poucher and Eoghan Long won their matches.  Andrew McCormack and Mark Campbell won for Castletroy so that left it all resting on Desmond’s match.  The 18 year old needed a half on the 18th to win the match and it looked doubtful when his second found the trees on the 18th.  Desmond played a great recovery shot that saw his ball pitch short of the green and run on to 15 feet.  Desmond calmly rolled the ball to less than a foot and that was enough to win the match and the crucial winning point for Monkstown.

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Munster PGA Winter Series Finale

Cian McNamara won the Premium Golf Brands Order of Merit on Monday as the Munster PGA winter series drew to a close.  The Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy hosted by Monkstown marked the final event in the weather affected winter series.  McNamara finished in third place on day but that was enough to pip his friend David Ryan for the title.  McNamara won earlier this year in Adare, on the day that the course closed before a major redevelopment project got underway.  He placed in Castlemartyr, Monkstown and Fota Island to stay on top of the leaderboard.   The PGB Order of Merit Continue reading

Higgins retains Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy

David Higgins pictures with Stephen Hayes

David Higgins pictures with Stephen Hayes

Congrats to David Higgins who won the Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy in Monkstown today.  The Waterville golfer shot an amazing 62 to win the title by 6 shots.  David Ryan was second and Cian McNamara took third place.

Monkstown was in great condition today, with the greens in particular Continue reading