Paula Walsh

Walsh & Hegarty win Munster Womens Championhsips, No joy for Cork in Co Sligo

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Paula Walsh, Doneraile who won the Munster Women’s Senior Championship. Pic: Golffile, Golf Ireland

Doneraile’s Paula Walsh claimed her second Munster Women’s Senior Amateur Open Championship after a thrilling playoff win in Monkstown.  Walsh shot a 69 in the 18 hole event to hold off the challenge of Lisa Cullen, Aideen Walsh and Lauren Kelly who all finished just one stroke behind.

The Corkonian, who also won this title in 2017, was level par for her front nine and despite birding the 11th she dropped back to level again before the crucial birdie on the last.  This victory is also a huge early season boost for Walsh’s claims in the Bridgestone Order of Merit.  After securing the silverware in Monkstown, Walsh is excited about what lies ahead for the rest of 2023.  “I’m delighted to win. It’s a great win and my second time winning the Munster Championship,” said Walsh.  “It’s good to get off started in the

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Munster call-up for six Cork golfers, ILGU Interprovincial Championships

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2019 Irish Women's Open Strokeplay at Co Louth Golf Club

Rachel Thompson (Cork) during the  2019 Irish Women’s Open Strokeplay at Co Louth Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Four Cork ladies and two girls have been named on the Munster teams to take part in the interpros at Mount Woolsey next week.  Connacht Women’s Champion Rachel Thompson is joined by Clodagh Coughlan, Paula Walsh and Jean O’Driscoll. with Aoife Ni Thuama named as reserve.  In the girls team, Youghal’s Roisin Connolly was selected with Monkstown’s Michelle Sharkey.  Sara Byrne misses the interpros as she is on the Irish team at the Girls European Team Championships in Spain next week.

The event will take place at Mount Wolseley Hotel and Golf Resort from the 9th to the 11th of July.  Each Province will play each other in three foursomes’ matches and fives singles matches.

Munster 
Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas), Sarah Cunningham (Ennis), Jean O’Driscoll (Muskerry), Sinead Sexton  (Lahinch), Rachel Thompson (Cork), Aideen Walsh (Woodstock), Paula Walsh (Doneraile), Captain: Orla Barry
Reserve: Aoife Ní Thuama (Douglas)

Munster Girls
Roisin Connolly (Youghal), Anna Dawson (Tramore), Corrina Griffin (Killarney), Shannon Hegarty (Ennis), Niamh O’Dwyer (Lahinch), Michelle Sharkey (Monkstown), Emily Walsh (Limerick), Captain: Aoife Lowry, Manager: Kiara O’Keeffe
Reserve: Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen)
Schedule
Tuesday 9th July: Munster v Connacht; Leinster v Ulster
Wednesday 10th July: Ulster v Connacht; Leinster v Munster
Thursday 11th July: Connacht v Leinster; Munster v Ulster

Cork interest ends in Mullingar, Irish Womens Close

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ILGU LogoCork interest in the Irish Womens Close ended today as all five Cork golfers lost out.  Top qualifier Mairead Martin lost to Irish Strokeplay Champion Maria Dunne.  There were also losses for Sara Byrne and Rachel Thompson as the competition reduced from 16 to 8.  Valerie Clancy made it through to the quarter finals but lost out to Ciara Casey from Hermitage.

There was no joy either for Paula Walsh in the Ita Wallace Plate competition.  She lost to Castletroy’s Chloe Ryan in the quarter Continue reading →

Martin through to last 16, Irish Womens Close

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Mairead Martin June 2017

Mairead Martin (Kanturk), Photo: Pat Cashman

Top qualifier Mairead Martin won her first round match at the Irish Womens Close in Mullingar today.  It was a north Cork battle as Karturk’s Martin took on Doneraile’s Walsh.

Martin faced 2017 Munster Women’s Champion Walsh in today’s first matchplay round and got off to a good start, winning 3 of the first 6 holes.  Walsh steadied the match but the deficit was too much for her to fight back and the game finished on the 16th green, 3&2 to Martin.  Martin now faces Irish Womens Strokeplay Champion Maria Dunne who’ll be looking to complete a rare double.  Walsh goes on the the plate matchplay where she faces Shannon Burke tomorrow.

It was a good day for Cork golfers, and the 17th was the hole where the other four Cork matches finished.  Sara Byrne had a 2&1 over Alice Hutchinson and Rachel Continue reading →

Mairead Martin leads Irish Close Challenge

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Mairead Martin June 2017

Mairead Martin, Kanturk.  (Photo: Pat Cashman Photography)

Kanturk’s Mairead Martin led the qualifiers at the Irish Ladies Close in Mullingar yesterday and now faces Doneraile’s Paula Walsh in an all-Cork matchplay clash.  Martin won the Leitrim Cup after finishing the 36 hole qualifier on level par, one ahead of the field.  Martin was not affected by tough windy conditions in Mullingar and her second round 73 included 4 birdies at the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 14th. “It was very tough in the blustery conditions, the wind kept changing direction all day. I putted very well this afternoon which was the key and kept my score going,” said Mairead, “I played well last week at the British Amateur in Wales and I got Continue reading →

Thompson wins Cathy Smith Trophy in Baltray

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Rachel Thompson Baltray May 2017Cork’s Rachel Thompson finished strongly  at the Irish Womens Open Strokeplay in Baltray over the weekend.  She captured the Cathy Smith Trophy as the best under 18 and she also finished with the best nett score.  Rachel won the U18 prize with a one stroke lead over Germany’s Sarina Schmidt, but when it came to the gross prize she had a five shot lead over the field.  The competition was won by Mari Dunne who lead form the first round and closed on -9 for the tournament.

Thompson finished in second place in the Lahinch Scratch Cup recently and since then her golf has moved up a gear.  He performances over the weekend has seen her handicap drop from 2 to scratch.  Despite not playing in the Portuguese or Spanish Opens, Thompson is currently 9th in the ILGU Senior Order of Merit.  Valerie Clancy, Sara Byrne, Mairead Martin, Paula Walsh and Karen O’Neill all feature in the top twenty so there should be plenty of Cork golfers in contention for the Ladies and Girls interprovincials.

Walsh wins in Cork, Munster Senior Championships

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Paula Walsh (Doneraile)

Paula Walsh (Doneraile)

Doneraile’s Paula Walsh won the Munster Senior Open Championship in Cork today, and her three under par display meant that she was a wire to wire winner over the three rounds.  Paula went into the final round with a three shot lead, and her four birdies and single bogey saw her extend her grip on the tournament to win by six strokes.  The Doneraile golfer is also a member of Cork and she used her knowledge of the Little Island course as she dominated the event.  Two early birdies on the first and second would have settled her as she continued with a very steady game to maintain and extend her lead.  It’s two in a row for North Cork, last years winner in Waterville was Valerie Clancy from Mitchelstown.  Second place went to Sara Byrne from Douglas who was one of only three players to break par on the final day.  It was a great finish for Byrne who opened with a disappointing 80 in the first round.  A second round 75 saw her jump up to 6th place and the one under par 73 today saw the Douglas golfer finish in second place overall.

Gallery: Munster Senior & Junior Championships

Sara had a dream start, with three straight birdies from the first hole.  Two more birdies followed on the back nine and she played a very tidy game with just four bogies on the card.  Byrne also won the De Courcey Trophy and Continue reading →

Butler moves up to second place at Lahinch, Inter-Varsity Championship Day 2.

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Munster Strokeplay Championship 2016Cathal Butler (Maynooth) added a second 69 today at round two of the inter-varsities in Lahinch, and he no in second place just two shots off the lead.  Munster Youths winner Jack McDonnell is the leader on -8 after recording a 67 in his second round.  First round leader Kyle McCarron shot a 72 which sees him remain in second place level with Butler.

John Hickey (CIT) shot one of the low rounds of the day with a 68.  The Cork GC Barton Shield member had a flawless four under par round with birdies on the 4th, 5th and 9th, and he added a fourth on the 12th.  The round saw Hickey jump back into the top ten.  James Sugrue added a level par 72 to his opening 71 and he’s in 15th place going into the final round.  Adam McSweeney (CIT) dropped back today after a 76, he’s on +1 in a tie for 18th place.

Golffile.ie Intervarsity Championship Day 2 Gallery

Kieran Lynch (Maynooth) just make the cut on +4 but John Murphy (Maynooth) was one shot outside it on +5.  Timmy Broderick, John Boylan and Conor Roche were also among the golfers to miss the cut.  In the ladies competition, Paula Walsh missed the cut after an 82 in the second round.

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Walsh, McGrath, Leonard & Byrne make Munster Ladies and Girls teams

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ILGU AIG Senior Cup Munster Final, Douglas Golf Club, Sunday 8th May 2015Munster named strong sides for the upcoming interprovincials which will take place in Slieve Russell next month.  Doneraile’s Paul Walsh is the only Cork golfer to make the Ladies team and it’s a fair reward for several strong performances over the early season.  Walsh was part of the Cork GC team that won the Munster Senior Cup title in Douglas recently.

There were three local golfers selected to play on the Munster Girls team.  Grave McGrath (East Cork), Ciara Leonard (Mitchelstown) and Sarah Byrne (Douglas) were all selected to play under the experienced eye of Jennifer Hickey who will captain the side.

The interprovincial matches take place from the 5th – 7th July and have been running for over half a century and are an essential element in the development of talented and elite golfers. Each province shall play each other by matchplay which will Continue reading →