Champion Sugrue facing serious test in Castletroy
SOUTH of Ireland champion James Sugrue faces a major challenge when he defends the Bank of Ireland sponsored Castletroy Senior Scratch Cup this weekend.
The Mallow star will be hoping to retain the Major HK Murray Trophy in the 70th-anniversary edition of the 36-hole event at the Limerick venue on Saturday.
He will need to be at his best to take the title, with West of Ireland champion Robert Brazill from Naas just one of a number of top quality players in the 72-strong field.
Limerick’s Ciaran Vaughan and Justin Kehoe, the former South of Ireland champion, are always dangerous, while Castletroy’s Jack Ryan, Dean McMahon, Cian Daly, Darragh Walshe, Jason Tobin, John Hadnett and Jonathan McDonnell will be keen to add their names to the illustrious list of winners alongside those of Joe Carr, Jimmy Bruen, Liam Higgins, Vincent Nevin and Des Smyth.
Castletroy’s Munster interprovincial star Andrew McCormack is always a threat, but with six Cork winners in the last 10 years, the odds favour the visitors.