Malone run riot in Ulster finals
THE National Finals of the AIG Ladies Cups & Shields take place at Knightsbrook from September 26-27 and if there’s one club that’s heading there with high hopes of bringing home some silverware it’s Ulster kingpins Malone.
The stunning Belfast club were the stars of the show in the Ulster District Finals at the weekend, claiming not one but three Ulster pennants.
The club’s strong ladies section won the Junior Cup, the Intermediate Cup and the Minor Cup and were only denied victory in the Senior Foursomes by Shandon Park by the slimmest of margins.
In the AIG Junior Cup, they beat Ballycastle 4-1 with Sara O’Sullivan, Miriam O’Doherty and Ann Brown all clinching victories to see them home.
Then in the AIG Intermediate Cup, the overcame Shandon Park 3.5-1.5 with Kay Gilbert, Anita Goan and Sharon Cox the key winners in the final.
They were also superb in the AIG Minor Cup, seeing off Dungannon 3-2.
While Hilary Agnew lost in the top match and Janet Pritchard fell at number four, wins by Wendy Reid and Margaret Crossey left them needing a point from the anchor match and it was delivered by Janet Bailie as she beat Rosin Kelly one up.
Shandon Park beat Malone 2-1 in the AIG Senior Foursomes final but they didn’t go down without a fight with Jane Gardner and Sara O’Sullivan taking Diane Nickels and Cora Concannon to the 16th in the decider.
As for the Ulster District’s AIG Challenge Cup, Fintona beat Donaghadee 4-1 with Joan Hackett, Bernie McCillen, Kate Donnelly and Carmel Colgan all victorious.