Easter karate competition goes down a treat

WKF rules being applied, and all the contestants were presented with Easter eggs, certificates, trophies and refreshments.

There was also two free raffles for Easter chocolate hampers. Results as follows: 1st Noelle Ryan 34pts, 2nd Sam Doyle 32pts, 3rd James Ryan 31pts. Roe, 2nd Clara Browne. Cat A - 1st Kaiya Nulty, 2nd Noelle Ryan; Cat B - 1st Dearbhaile Nulty, 2nd Eimear Ganley; Cat C - 1st Kara Roe, 2nd Clara Browne; Cat D - 1st Kerry Tiernan, 2nd Miriam Essel Mensah; Cat E - 1st Padraig McCabe, 2nd Joseph Floyd; Cate F - 1st Rayan Essel Mensah, 2nd James Ryan. MANY of the top amateurs from North and South, including past and current Irish internationals, interpros and several amateur championship title holders were battling for honours at the recent Laytown & Bettystown GD Senior Scratch Cup.

Also included in the elite field were members of the Irish Development squad under the direction of national coach Neil Manchip, and the early-season date meant the tournament was ideal preparation for the subsequent West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

Another factor was the generous sponsorship provided by new Club Professional Scott Kirkpatrick.

The light coastal breeze and fast greens ensured that the Meath links provided a stern test for the top-class and this was further reflected in the winning score of 2-under par over two rounds.

Ryan Mc Kinstry from Cairndhu (73 67) won by two shots from Barry Anderson (Royal Dublin) and in third place was Caolan Rafferty (Greenore), just ahead of Jake Whelan (Newlands).

McKinstry, a semi-finalist in the South of Ireland Championship in 2013, finished nine shots better than his brother Neil, who finished with a score of 149.

John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead), a former Irish Close and North of Ireland winner, was fifth on 14, while Colm Campbell jnr (Warrenpoint) was the best of the chasing pack, finishing with a 144 which was good enough for sixth place.

A number of the local contenders were hot on Campbell’s heels, including Laytown & Bettystown pair Cian Geraghty and Eoghan Collins who both finished on the same score - 144 - alongwide Robert Cannon (Balbriggan).

Gerard Dunne (Co Louth) and Thomas Mulligan (L&B) were just one shot further back, with John D McGinn (L&B) on 146 and Evan Farrell (Ardee) carding 149.