Royal Tara crowned Mary McKenna champions
ROYAL Tara claimed the Mary McKenna Diamond Trophy Foursomes when they beat Belvoir Park 3-2 in a thrilling All Ireland final at Woodenbridge.
Belvoir Park beat Thurles on the 19th in their semi-final on Saturday as Royal Tara saw off Tuam before taking down the Ulster champions by winning the decisive match on the 19th.
Marion Cleary and Geraldine Onofri put Royal Tara ahead with a 7 and 5 win over Julie Morrison and Una O’Hara before Violet McBride and Anne Stewart replied for the Belfast Club with a 2 and 1 win over Paula Kennedy and Ada Davis.
But while Jane Hughes and Breda McGuinness edged Royal Tara ahead again with a 2 and 1 win over Susan Cashman and Honor Ross, the Ulster champions levelled the scores at 2-2 when Joan McVeigh and Betty Cowan beat Colette Bedford and Irene Giles 2 and 1 in the anchor match.
The All Ireland title hinged on the penultimate match and it was Royal Tara who claimed victory with Mary Bannon and Ann Donnelly edging out Carmel McCavanagh and Jill Parton at the 19th.
Tuam beat Thurles 3-5-1.5 to take third place after what was a highly successful event which began in April and attracted 900 senior ladies.
Mary McKenna Diamond Foursomes 2017, Woodenbridge GC
Final, Belvoir Park 2, Royal Tara 3 (Belvoir Park names first): J Morrison (10) & U O’Hara (20) lost to M Cleary (8) & G Onofri (26) 7/5; V McBride (6) & A Stewart (17) bt P Kennedy (14) & A Davis (22) 2/1; S Cashman (14) & H Ross (21) lost to J Hughes (15) & B McGuinness (16) 2/1; C McCavanagh (16) & J Parton (20) lost to M Bannon (15) & A Donnelly (26) 19th; Joan McVeigh (13) & Betty Cowan (26) bt C Bedford (19) & I Giles (21) 2 /1.