Horseshoes league finals fixed
It was an historic week for ladies’ golf in Wexford, as we had two teams in the All-Ireland finals in Dundalk.
Both teams did us proud, but unfortunately both were beaten in the semi-finals in what must have been nail-biting matches both for the players and those who went to support and watch. They can take some comfort in the fact that they were both beaten by the outright winners!
Congratulations to Liam’s mum Mary Bowler who was on the Challenge Cup team for Headfort who beat Ballybunion in the final.
As you will see from our weekly results, Deirdre, Bernie, Irene and Carmel who all played in Dundalk were certainly in good form going into their matches.
Seniors, Monday, September 19: 1, Deirdre Greer (30), 27 points; 2, Noreen Power (36), 26 points (back seven); 3, Phil Flood (28), 26 points (back seven); 4, Bernie Power (32), 22 points (back seven).
Saturday/Thursday single stableford sponsored by Pamela Scott: 1, Irene Bolger (11), 36 points; 2, Margaret Hearne (15), 35 points (back nine); gross, Carmel Murphy (8), 25 points; 3, Osnat Manning (22), 35 points; Senior, Phil Flood (28), 33 points; nine-hole, Angela Kelly (17), 15 points; nearest the pin, Anna Sullivan, 54 cm.
Next week’s competition is sponsored by The Silver Fox Restaurant and it is an open Solheim Cup format.
ST. HELEN’S
The preparations are complete, and it’s all systems go for our eagerly-awaited club outing which takes place next Saturday, October 1, to Coollattin.
The wind howled and the rain lashed down on Saturday but it didn’t deter our seasoned golfers. Leading the hardy bunch was Phil Cassidy who returned a remarkable 42 points in the atrocious conditions.
Sunday dawned bright and dry and a big field came out to enjoy a lovely September day. Another score of 42 points topped the leaderboard, with Seamus Kelly recording two nines of 21 points.
The undoubted highlight of his winning round came on the par three eleventh where he saw his tee shot disappear for a magnificent hole-in-one! Congratulations Seamus, and the best of luck off your new handicap of five.
We offer our condolences to club member Dermot Walsh on the death of his mother - ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Results (gents) - Sunday, September 18, open singles: 1, Nick Hayes (18), 41 points; 2, John Codd (16), 39 points; 3, Derrick Sinnott (12), 35 points (countback).
Wednesday, September 21, open singles: 1, Dougie Benson (19), 37 points; 2, Eric Byrne (13), 36 points; 3, Paddy Dunne (18), 34 points (countback).
Saturday, September 24, open singles: 1, Phil Cassidy (19), 42 points; 2, Joe Kelly (9), 33 points.
Sunday, September 25, open singles: 1, Seamus Kelly (7), 42 points; 2, Michael Cooney (28), 37 points; 3, Brian Cawley (13), 35 points (countback); veteran, Paddy Dunne (18), 34 points.
In dry but windy conditions last Thursday, the 15 teams which competed found the going rather difficult. With the recent sanding on the course still not washed in, it was decided to have placing on the fairways which should have aided the scoring.
Many approach shots to the greens ended up short on the sanded aprons and the use of a lower numbered iron was often necessary to reach the ‘dance floor’. Nevertheless, one team reached the target figure of 90 points with the rest of the field trailing with totals in the low eighties.
Led by John Murphy (17) and backed up by Martin Forristal (20), John Joe Murray (20) and Michael Somers (25), the quartet scored 90 points to emerge as runaway winners.
In second place on 84 points were John Shalloe (5), Michael Long (19), Robert O’Dwyer (20) and Martin Hartley (22). The 83 points scored by Tony Harford (13), John Joe Cullen (19), Martin Burke (25) and Tom Kent (26) proved good enough to claim third prize.
Only one nearest the pin score was returned and that was by Patsy Farrell on the ninth with an effort of 22 inches; and yes, he sank the putt for a birdie.
Once again all intending players on a Thursday are asked to be in adequate time for the draw which is at 10.40 a.m. each week. Latecomers upset the picking of teams and it’s not fair on those who are there early, so please obey the request to be on time.
NEW ROSS LADIES
Wednesday, September 21, 18-hole strokes sponsored by Hickey & Ryan: 1, Margaret Furlong (17), 72; 2, Maria Burford (13), 75; gross, Geraldine Mackey, 89; 3, Claire Ogilvie-White (27), 76; Senior, Elsie Redmond (25), 77.
Upcoming competitions: Wednesday, September 28, 18-hole stableford sponsored by Murphy’s Cash & Carry; Wednesday, October 5, 18-hole stableford (Senior) sponsored by Kathleen’s Hair Salon; Wednesday, October 12, 18-hole stableford (gross) sponsored by P.N. O’Gorman. This will be the last 18-hole competition for this year. THE NATIONAL Ploughing Championship doubles horseshoes event took place in Screggan, Tullamore, on Thursday.
Paddy Connors and Phil Mahon (Woodsmen) won the Division 1 final, beat Dennis Ryan and Paddy Byrne (Gouleyduff) 21-17.
Willie Murtagh and Michael Doyle from Gouleyduff won the Division 2 championship. Well done to them.
The Wexford league finals will take place on Saturday, October 8, in the league field, Ferns. It was re-scheduled after being called off due to bad weather last weekend.
In the Division 2 final, we’ll see Doran’s Bridge take on Monart. Doran’s Bridge will be favourites, as they were Division 1 finalists last season, however Monart will be looking for their second league title in three years so can’t be ruled out. It should be a close game.
In the Division 1 final Vinegar Hill take on Monageer. Vinegar Hill may start slight favourites, after being finalists in Division 2 last year. Monageer will be fancying their chances too though, and hopefully we’ll see a good final.
Best of luck to all teams involved. Both finals will take place simultaneously.
Refreshments and the trophy presentation will take place in Doyle’s Bar, Ferns.
We’d like to offer our deepest sympathies to Seán Doyle, Curracloe, on the death of his mother, Kathleen Doyle (nee Kavanagh).
At the most recent H.P.A.I. meeting, Dennis Ryan was presented with the person of the year award and deserves congratulations.