The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Joe Kennedy claims Kerry Federation Captain’s Prize
GOING back as far as 1975, a total of 87 past and present Captains of Kerry clubs turned out in Killarney on Saturday last to play in the Federation Captain Jack Buckley’s Prize on the magnificent and picturesque Mahony’s Point, course in near perfect weather conditions.
The winner with superb score of 39 Points was the 2013 Killorglin Captain Joe Kennedy playing off a handicap of four.
Joe edged out the current Parknasilla Captain Padraig Burns (11) who finished second and third-placed Eddie Hanafin (8) the Castlegregory Captain of 2002 and last year’s Federation Secretary, both of whom also scored 39 Points.
Former Irish International Paul Murphy who captained Killarney in 2006 won the Gross prize with 32 points while Category 1 went to the 2006 Castlegregory Captain Michael Keane (10) with 38 points.
Larry Daly the 2007 Dunloe Captain took Category 2 also with 38 points Waterville’s 2003 Captain Sean O’Shea (18) taking Category 3 with 39 points and Kenmare’s Pat O’Dwyer (18) taking the past Federation Captains prize with 35.
A Star in the Making
I FOLLOWED with interest the South of Ireland at Lahinch last week and was delighted for the eventual winner Conor Purcell who is just 19 years of age and is sure to be a star of the future, after winning his first major amateur title in just four attempts.
The son of Portmarnock professional Joey Purcell, Conor played some superb golf all week to reach the final where he beat 20-year old Rowan Lester from Hermitage by 4/3 and was three under par for the fifteen holes played.
Joey Purcell had a fabulous career as an amateur in the 70s before joining the professional ranks, but after several forays onto the European Tour, decided to settle into life as a club professional.
Sunday’s victory at Lahinch is sure to see Conor win his first Irish Senior Cap at the forthcoming Home Internationals in Scotland next month but should he be selected, he will have some big boots to fill as his father Joey won five and a half points from a possible six in his first Home Internationals which were played at Lahinch in 1973.
This year’s South of Ireland was not a happy hunting ground for the handful of Kerry players who participated with Tralee’s Fergal O’Sullivan (75 & 71) the only matchplay qualifier before going out in round one to Oughterard’s Devlin Morley on the final hole.