Tralee win Joe Quinlan Foursomes title

THE final of the Joe Quinlan Foursomes took place on Sunday in Dooks between Tralee and Castleisland. Castleisland were hoping to win this Trophy for the first time, Tralee were going for their third title having last won it in the inaugural year of 2009 and again in 2011.

There was excellent golf played and all the matches were very tight affairs, very fitting of a final. It didn’t look too good for Tralee at one stage as the first match was 2 down after 15 and the third match was 3 down after 11. Tralee were giving five shots in the first match and three shots in the second and third matches. Tralee’s first win was the second match, Joan Costello and Jenna Leen (Tralee) v Babs Kelliher and Bertha O’Sullivan (Castleisland).

Tralee won the first three holes but went back to 1 down on the 5th hole, a very close encounter followed until Tralee had a great Par on the 14th hole (Index 1) to win this hole even though they were giving Castleisland a shot here. Tralee won the 16th Hole with another great par and that gave them a 3 and 2 win.

The first match out was Norah Quinlan and Barbara Reen (Tralee) against Anne Stuart and Marie B O’Connor (Castleisland). Tralee were down for a lot of this match, they won 16 to go decrease their deficit to one and the turning point was when Castleisland went into the greenside bunker on 17 and it took them two to get out, Norah and Barbara won this hole even though they were giving Castleisland a shot on the hole.

The par 5 18th hole was a very exciting, great drives, great second and third shots by both pairings into a very tough wind and Tralee struck their chip to within three feet of the hole, Castleisland’s chip fell back off the green and finished with a bogey. Tralee had to sink a very tricky three-footer on a slope to win the hole and match.

The last match was Ber Collins and Kay Fitzgerald (Tralee) V Catherine Walshe and Margaret Sheehan (Castleisland), another very tight battle. Tralee were 3 down after 11 but won the 12 and 13 to go 1 down. Castleisland won the 14th with a shot and Tralee won the 15th and 16th. Tralee were called in all square as they played the 17th and Tralee won the Joe Quinlan Trophy for the third time.

Team manager Bernie Buckley was presented with the Joe Quinlan Trophy and Pennant by Lady President Joan Ivers and Lady Captain Dor O’Driscoll. Bernie was very proud of her tenacious and indefatigable team and was thrilled with the camaraderie of both teams and the spirit and friendship in which the final was played. THE Ballybunion ladies fly the Kerry flag this week as they seek a national title at Dundalk in the Challenge Cup where they take on County Armagh in the semi-final on Friday at 10.30am.