Mullingar Scratch Cup

Murphy set for new season

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
South of Ireland 2019

John Murphy, left, enjoying himself with Shane O’Connell and Cathal Butler at the South of Ireland in July.

Kinsale’s John Murphy was back Cork for a few weeks in December, and the Kentucky based golfer took a well deserved break after a busy few months on the course.  After 30 plus tournaments in 2019 John took advantage of the winter break to recharge with family and friends in Kinsale.  Having used the 2018 Christmas break to practice in Australia, John took a different angle this year with an extended break at home.

“The last few weeks were very different to my normal schedule,” said Murphy.  “Apart from having to study for my finals a lot, I had a lot of time to spend with friends and family which I don’t normally get to do, so I really enjoyed it.  I took a couple weeks away from golf just to recharge.  “Towards the Continue reading →

Mullingar win for Murphy

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
John Murphy (Kinsale)4

John Murphy, Pic: Pat Cashman

John Murphy reaped the rewards after long frustrating summer – one that demanded plenty of resilience and perseverance – he won the prestigious Mullingar Scratch Cup today to record his biggest win on home soil.  “It’s been a tough season, and while I kept plugging away, things weren’t happening for me” said an excited Murphy.  “I am heading back to Louisville next Saturday so I said I’d give it one more crack instead of just throwing in the towel on the summer. I am very relieved with this one.”  Originally a Walker Cup panellist, Murphy has had a frustrating three months at home.  Trips to England and Scotland were fruitless and outside of Kinsale qualifying for the Barton Shield finals Continue reading →

Hickey takes top ten spot in Mullingar

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com
John Hickey pictured during the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup.

John Hickey pictured during the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup.

Cork’s John Hickey was the best placed Cork golfer at Mullingar over the weekend.  Stuart Grehan won the prestigious title with a wire to wire win following two 67’s which saw him hit the halfway point on -10.

An opening 79 on Sunday morning hampered Hickey, and that return featured two triple bogies on his front nine.  Hickey recovered with a one under par 71 on Sunday afternoon and another two 71’s followed on Monday.  That saw him rise up the leaderboard and eventually finished in 9th place.  Hickey will be a key member of the Cork team that will be aiming to retain their AIG Barton Shield Munster title in Tralee this weekend.

Peter O’Keeffe (74/75/74/73) was just inside the top twenty (18th), O’Keeffe is currently preparing for his Irish Senior debut in Moortown next week.  James Sugrue and John Murphy both were tied for 24th place, that was likely to be Murphy’s last competitive event in Ireland as he’s moving to Kentucky next week to take up his place with Aaron O’Callaghan’s University of Louisville golf programme.  Kinsale duo Gary Ward (T37) and Cathal Butler (T41) both made the cut but Mallow’s Conor Dowling missed the cut for the final day.