Many congratulations to our three teams who began the 2021 campaigns this afternoon and who all won their matches in style.
First up was the Junior Cup team managed by Colm Mulcahy & Eddie Lonergan who set the tone for the day with a great 3 – 2 Victory over Elm Park. Three home wins from Harry Kirk (6&4), Alan Keane (4&2) and Diarmaid MacGabhann (4&3) sealed the win. Donal O’Gallagher, a last minute call up after Ray Nolan pulled out through injury came up short away in Elm Park and Dylan Holmes lost 3&2 despite a very solid round of 2 over to that point.
Tom Kelly’s Metropolitan Cup team were next out against Milltown Golf Club. With 4 matches at home and three away Tom had no less than three players pull out through injury over the past three days but came up with the winning formula (The Magnificent 7, as he referred to his team ). Craig Hazleton won at home 6&5 and Dom Brodeur pulled off a fantastic win away 8&6 to get the ball rolling but things got considerably tighter for the remainder of the matches. Ben Crowley secured the third point away, winning on the 18th and with Trevor Philips and Stephen Bourne still on the course at home and player/manager, Frank Rennix also on the course at Milltown, up stepped debutante Luke McLoughlin to secure the all important 4th match point on the 19th hole. A stunning tee shot to 6 feet did the trick for Luke.
Jimmy Bruen manager Alan Byrne opted to go the away leg at Woodbrook while assistant manager Fergal Duffy looked after the home matches. An emphatic 5&4 home win for the Paul Keane and Ian Mullally partnership gave Greystones our first point on the board. This was followed by another great 3&2 home win for Brian Murray and Jamie Anderson. Mark Byrne & Dave Mangan came up just short at Woodbrook, loosing 2&1 and, after a great fightback, Michael Smullen & Ray McDonnell narrowly lost on the 18th. So 2 all in the rubber and Collie Dunne & Tom Sheehy were one down on the 18th tee box. Collie hit a monster drive to leave Tom 60 yards to the pin while the Woodbrook pair were on the 10th fairway but not far from the 18th green. Tom hit a great pitch to 12 feet and Woodbrook pitched to 15 feet below the hole. A good put had Woodbrook 2 feet from the hole but crucially, having played an additional shot. Collie calmly putted to the hole for a picky up (have two, take two) and the win and the match moved to the 19th. Both teams were short right off the tee and a deft chip by Collie and nerves of steel from Tom, holing a 6 footer sealed the third win for the club.
Congratulations to all the managers / players today and thanks to the supporters who came out to enjoy some great sporting entertainment.
Onwards an upwards !
