All-Ireland glory!
Fabulous first for Courtown Golf Club
COURTOWN GOLF Club achieved its first All-Ireland title recently in Knightsbrook in the I.L.G.U. Junior foursomes final.
Despite attending national inter-club finals in the past, Courtown had been unsuccessful in previous attempts to win a green pennant.
On the Friday they had overcome Ballina in a nail-biting semi-final. With one match in the bag when Mary Kilbride and Stella Courtney won on the 15th, the final pairing of Eileen Cullen and Mairéad Sunderland were forced to go down the 19th, having finished all flat after 18 holes.
Much to the delight of the Courtown contingent, a place in the final was secured.
It was an especially emotional week for Eileen Cullen, who missed the District finals due to the death of her husband, Michael, just the night before, but team manager Laura Funge was insistent that he was keeping an eye on Eileen and the team at Knightsbrook.
‘Our match in the District final went to the 22nd hole and there is no doubt that Michael put us through,’ she said.
‘The whole team played for Eileen that day and it is great that we have her on the team this week.’
Fast forward to Saturday and the All-Ireland final. Courtown had high hopes of ending their long wait for a national title and they were not to be denied an All-Ireland victory after an historic 2.5 to 0.5 win over Shandon Park.
Lady Captain Catherine Quinn and Mary Osborne put Courtown one-nil ahead with a 6&4 win, and with Stella Courtney and Mary Kilbride claiming a 4&3 win, Eileen Cullen and her partner, Mairéad Sunderland, were called in and the celebrations began.
Laura Funge was keen to point out that while a particular six played on the day, the victory would not have been achieved without the help of a dedicated panel of substitutes who had stepped in when needed.
These were Mairéad Carty, Kate Sheehan, Julie McCartan, Pat Walters and Ann Bernie.
The team would also like to thank in a special way all the supporters who travelled to support them both at the District finals in Tullamore and at the finals in Knightsbrook.
‘This is a wonderful day for Courtown Golf Club,’ Laura said. ‘After 75 years we are here as All-Ireland champions and it’s a wonderful feeling.
‘I am so delighted for the players, the lady Captain, lady President, and the club. We will be holding a special event in the club on Friday, November 16, to mark the occasion and all club members, family and friends are welcome.’