Declan’s superb treble of victories

August 1981

THE darling of the Laytown/Bettystown Club, 33-year-old Declan Branigan, wrote himself into the sporting history books when he took the Irish Close Championship from his rival, Enda McMenamin, on the 19th hole at the Co. Sligo G.C. course at Rosses Point.

He thus became the first man ever to win the Close, West and East of Ireland in the same season, an incredible hat-trick to pull off.

For Branigan the season so far has proved a glittering one, as he wins prize after prize and seems virtually unstoppable this year. In the early stages of the Irish Close Championship, Branigan demonstrated tremendous tenacity when he came from behind to beat Brendan Considine, David Conway and Ken Stevenson at all tie holes. Branigan beat Brian Kissock of Bangor in the semi-finals and when he encountered McMenamin of Ballybofey in the final the match went to a tie, which tipped Branigan’s way giving him the title.

In addition three of Louth’s golfing sons are on the Irish team picked for the annual Home International Championship at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, during September 23-25. They are Branigan, Mark Gannon and Val Smyth .