WOODPECKER JOY! Top golf for Coolboy clubs
Ashford team retain All-Ireland title
THE Woodpecker pub darts team from Ashford retained their All-Ireland pubs championship in the Green Isle hotel last weekend.
With 18 teams from around the country competing their task was never going to be easy. The Ashford men were drawn in a tough group with two teams from Galway, one from Tipperary and one from Offaly.
They were quickly into their stride and with victories on score lines of 6-1, 5-2, 7-0 and 5-2 saw them top their group with ease and sent out a statement of intent to their rivals.
In Sunday’s quarter-final they defeated a very strong Dublin side 4-2, it was not their best performance but, in the semi-finals, they showed their class.
Facing fellow Wicklow men BHFSC (Bray Fishermen’s Club) they produced a clinical display to advance 4-0.
The final promised to be a classic with probably the two best teams in the country going head to head with the east Wicklow men taking on Clonmel’s Tuesday night team.
The standard was excellent and after some cracking games it was the Woodpecker men who ran out 4-2 winners after Dave O’Connor hit the magic double to retain their title in exciting fashion.
Captain Mick Lott remarked: “It’s fantastic to keep the title for another year, so much credit goes to Alan and Nikki in the pub for their support.
“It has been a pleasure to work with such a talented group of players and we will continue to promote Wicklow darts as best we can. As a team we will be back for three in a row next year.”
The Woodpecker is running a charity exhibition on June 7 in aid of Make a Wish with threetime world champion John Lowe appearing. All support for such a wonderful charity would be appreciated.
Team: Alan Dignam, Mick Lott, Mick McGowan, Shane Byrne, Dave O’Connor, Joe Byrne, Shane Ryan, Martin Fortune, Shane O’Connor, Andrew Kavanagh, Robbie Smith. AFTER months of planning the day finally came for Coolboy GAA and Handball Clubs to join once again for a Golf Classic on Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend. Compared to last year, the sun shone on the picturesque Coollattin Golf Club and saw over 80 golfers, non-golfers and chancers take part on the day.
First prize in the ‘Golfers’ category went to Coolboy Handball Club Chairman Michael Lennon Jnr., Mick Doyle, Joe Hillard and Tom Wilkinson. Jim and Paudge Cullen, Mick Greene and Graham Carroll took home second prize while Jennifer and Andrew Kiersey and Ann and Alan Doherty came in third place.
PJ Mulhall, Chris Doyle, Garrett Gregan and Maurice Kinsella were the winners in the ‘Non-Golfers’ category, with Ted and Thomas Kennedy and Alan and Jimmy Nolan claiming second place. Third prize went to Joe Lennon, Paul Murphy, Christy Doyle and Gerry Corbett. Nearest to Pin went to Andrew Nolan while Sue Dixon and Paudge Cullen picked up the Longest Drives in their respective categories.
The much sought-after Dublin jersey in our raffle went to the very lucky Anne Hendrichsen. Darcie O’Keeffe won tickets and dinner for two to the Des Willoughby Promotions Concert and Dance Weekend. Vicki Mulhall bagged €100 cash with Declan Nolan claiming a €40 voucher for the PRO shop kindly sponsored by Kiersey Estates. Ryan Nolan, Jim Cullen and Alan Nolan won shower sets sponsored by Tom Doyle.
Next on our busy agenda wad the Auction. The Dublin Football signed by the All-Ireland football champions went to Stephen Dagge. Sam O’Keeffe outbid the crowd to take home a signed and framed Galway Hurling jersey while Michael Gregan held his nerve to hold out and buy the Kilkenny Hurling jersey. We had no Hole in One winner, so the picnic bench kindly sponsored by Joseph Dempsey was eventually bought by Andrew Nolan. Two pictures were bought by Garrett Gregan while Miley O’Keeffe got a Titan Shower.
The first presentation of the night was made by the Handball Club to Pat Doyle, Richard Willoughby and Michael Lennon Snr. for their outstanding contribution to the club over many years.
The three men have stood down from their respective positions within the club and the committee wished to give them a token of their appreciation.
Coolboy GAA Chairman Sam O’Keeffe made a presentation on behalf of the club to Garrett Gregan and Gredorwood in recognition of their thanks for their continued support as their main sponsor.
Both clubs wish to thank Pauric and his ground staff for their hardwork in producing a course that was in pristine condition, Vicki and her team for the food, the bar staff and all in Coollattin Golf club for all their assistance leading up to the Classic and use of their premises.