Kenmare take the Dr Billy O’Sullivan Shield

PARKNASILLA the 12-hole course overlooking Kenmare Bay proved again to be a happy hunting ground for the golfer from nearby Kenmare as they lifted the Dr Billy O’Sullivan Shield after an epic final against Dooks.

On the only other previous occasion that the final of this event was hosted by Parknasilla, Kenmare were the victors on that occasion also, beating Killorglin in the 2001 decider.

Heading in to Saturday’s final, Kenmare and Dooks had a decent Dr Billy pedigree with six titles between them. Kenmare were successful in 1994, 2001, 2003 and 2011 while Dooks won the famous shield in 2000 and 2007. Kenmare had lost three finals in 1997, 2013 and 2015 with Dooks runners-up on three occasions also in 1990, 1996 and 2011.

Kenmare made their intentions clear from the very beginning taking the first match where Tim Toomey and Peter Cronin beat Mike Dourien and Maurice Barrett by 6/4 but Dooks hit back immediately taking the second match as Donal Woods and Paudie Hickey beat Mike O’Brien and John Joe O’Mahony by 4/3.

So, all aboard at one a-piece and the action was just beginning to heat up as Jimmy O’Neill and Noel Conroy edged Dooks ahead taking the third match at the 19th hole after a fierce battle with Jerry Walsh and Paudie Kelleher.

It was all to play for as the final two games were locked in a fierce struggle but Seán Daly and Bertie McSwiney called on their years of experience to edge home on the final green against Carl O’Sullivan and Mark Blennerhasset to earn a second point for Kenmare and level the match at two each and it all came down to the final match which went to the 19th also where Fionán O’Shea and Paul O’Donovan snatched victory for Kenmare, beating Laurence Hogan and Seán O’Sullivan to take the title for the fifth time in the club’s history.

The win sees the Kenmare club join Killarney as the most successful in this event with five wins each while Ballybunion and Tralee have four each with Ballyheigue Castle next best with three.

Next year Ballybunion are the Federation hosts and with the Dr Billy semi-finals and finals being played there, they will no doubt fancy their chances of joining Kenmare and Killarney at the top of that list.

Irish golfer and former Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley with club officers at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club where McGinley was honoured with Honorary Life Membership last Thursday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin