Bruen Shield triumph for Castleisland

CASTLEISLAND Golf Club’s Jimmy Bruen Shield team produced a gritty and outstanding performance to overcome a fancied Tralee side at a sunny Mahony’s Point in Killarney on Thursday.

There was a nail biting finish to this West Munster decider as the title-clinching match went to the 21st hole.

Just an hour earlier things were looking good for Tralee as they bagged the first two points in winning the opening match on the 16th and the third match on the 17 th.

In the final match, Castleisland’s Stephen Crooks and Niall Gilroy came good on the 17 th.

The fourth match saw a roller-coaster finish.

Castleisland, represented by Pat O’Sullivan and James McAuliffe, were two down on the 16th tee.

Remarkably, they won all three remaining holes for a great victory. The pivotal hole for Castleisland was the 17th, where they scored a great par even though the drive found the hazard.

The score was locked at two apiece at this stage and the deciding match was now on the 19th.

In this match, the Castleisland duo, club captain Denis O’Sullivan and Tone Brosnan, turned in a sterling performance.

The 19th was halved in par and the 20th in bogey. Then, it was on to the 21st, a long and difficult par four with a raised and sloped green.

It was somewhat fitting that Denis O’Sullivan celebrated his birthday by sinking a winning par putt from the back fringe.

There followed scenes of great jubilation from the large crowd that followed the match.

This victory for Castleisland is all the more remarkable by the fact that the club was on the point of being wound down only four years ago.

The company which had originally established the club in 2002 ceased trading due to the recession.

The members then decided to take over the running of the course in late 2014.

Fundraising was organised and assistance was provided by the surrounding, established clubs. The clubs in Ballybunion, Killarney and Tralee were to the fore in helping to secure the Castleisland club.

With the support of members and fantastic voluntary efforts, the club has carried on to date.

Thursday’s great result in Killarney provided one of its finest reasons to celebrate its existence and survival.

Front from left: Back from left: Ben Foley, Brendan Mullins, Denis O’Sullivan, club captain and Patsy Sweeney, club president. Liam Martin, Niall Gilroy, Pat O’Sullivan, Stephen Crooks, team manager; John Anthony Hartnett, Tone Brosnan and James Michael McAuliffe.