Long Read: Monkstown and Muskerry on All-Ireland Trail

September 15, 2016 / niall@corkgolfnews.com

Monkstown and Muskerry travel to Carton House this week to play in Europe’s biggest golf competition and both have hopes of returning with an All-Ireland title. Both clubs face All-Ireland semi-finals on Friday morning. Muskerry are in action in the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield while Monkstown aim to win their first AIG Senior Cup title. Both clubs have been busy preparing, on and off the course. The cost of sending a team to compete in Carton House quickly runs into five figures when you take into account all of the costs associated. Despite the costs, it’s a great opportunity for both clubs and one which all of their members are looking forward to. Monkstown Captain Carl Toal has been involved in several teams himself and he has been busy over the past three weeks. “The Club is on a high since winning the AIG Senior Cup Munster final in Cork Golf Club last month, it was a fantastic achievement to win after coming so close last year in Dungarvan” said the Captain who went on to explain the plan that was put into operation, “Winning the Munster final inevitably Continue reading →

Murphy Top 5 at Euro Team Championships, Cork Lose out in Barton semi-final

September 14, 2016 / niall@corkgolfnews.com

irish-boys-ega-sept-2016 John Murphy (Kinsale) shot a level par 72 on the opening day of the European Boy’s Team Championships today. The competition is taking place in Czech Republic and Murphy was one of the later starters this morning and opened with birdie. He had three bogies on the front nine but turned on +1, two birdies and a bogey on the back nine meant that he signed for a level par 72 to lie in 5th place. It was a very good day for Ireland, Kevin leBlanc holds the lead on -4 and all six Irish golfers are in the top 20. Tomorrow will be an important day for the Irish, the second round of strokeplay qualifying will determine the matchplay draws with the top four countries playing-off for the Championship title.

Cork Golf Club put up a strong battle today against Warrenpoint, losing out on the 18th green in Continue reading →

Monkstown win Munster Mixed Foursomes at Muskerry,

August 30, 2016 / niall@corkgolfnews.com

Susan White, Premium Credit, presenting the Munster Inter Club Mixed Foursomes trophy to Nick Moore and Emer Moran, Monkstown Golf Club, following their win at Muskerry Golf Club. Included is Tom Purcell, Muskerry G.C. Captain. Picture: Mike English.

The Munster Inter Club Mixed Foursomes final was held in Muskerry on Sunday 28^th August .

There was a new Sponsor this year and Susan White of “Premium Credit “ welcomed the 26 participating Clubs and was delighted to be hosting such an event. The eventual winners were Nick Moore and Emer Moran representing Monkstown with a score of 69.5. The Runners Up were Lee Valley represented by Alan Cashman and Margaret Ahern with Adare Manor’s Barry O’Riordan and Siobhan Curran and Ballybunion’s Sean Kennelly Janice O’Connell in 3^rd and 4^th Place .

The photo ( by Michael English ) shows Susan White of Premium Credit presenting the trophy to Nick Moore and Emer Moran ably assisted by Tom Purcell Captain of Muskerry

Long Read: Senior Cup Success for Monkstown

August 19, 2016August 27, 2016 / niall@corkgolfnews.com

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

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

August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 / niall@corkgolfnews.com

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.

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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