Ballybunion lady golfers claim silver medal

THE ladies of Ballybunion had to be satisfied with silver medals at the All-Ireland finals of the Challenge Cup played at Dundalk Golf Club over the weekend having succumbed to Headfort in the final.

On Friday, the Munster champions took on Co Armagh and in spite of losing the top match, were well in control of the other matches and gained the necessary three wins without having to pass the sixteenth hole.

Mary Hickey-Keane (28) fell to Anne O’Reilly (28) in the top match by 6/4 but Margaret McAuliffe (28) levelled matters for Ballybunion beating Jacqueline Kelly (29) 3&2. Elva Clancy (30) and Eilish Grimes (30) were having a real battle in the third match but were called in as a half because Dori Cotter (33). Tess Noonan (34) supplied the two necessary points for victory with 3/2 wins over Sheila Stinson (30) and Sylvia Ashe (31) respectively.

In the other semi-final Headfort from Meath were rarely troubled, beating Wexford to book their place in the final.

Sadly for Ballybunion, Saturday’s final was a completely one-sided affair with Mary Hickey Keane (28) losing the top match to Oonagh Clarke (27) by 5&4, Margaret McAuliffe (28) going down in the second to Susan Reilly (28) 4&3, Elva Clancy (30) surrendering the third to Mary Bowler (30) by 4&2 and Tess Noonan (34) losing the fifth match to Patricia Tyrrell (31) by 6&5. The remaining fourth match was called in with Ballybunion’s Dori Cotter (33) trailing Ita Cribbin (31) for an overall result of four and a half to a half in favour of Headfort.

Ballybunion manager Jean Liston can be proud of her players however in reaching a national final and hopefully this minor setback will inspire the Kerry side to return even stronger next year.