Ennis advance to North Munster final

ENNIS qualified for the North Munster final of the Junior Cup with three impressive victories in the area competition at their own course at the weekend.

They got their campaign underway with a 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 win over Shannon on Saturday morning and followed this with a 3-2 win over Dromoland Castle who had earlier beaten Kilrush 4 1/2 to a 1/2. TJ Scanlan was the Ennis hero in this match, winning over Leonard Shanahan at the second tie hole.

Lahinch beat Kilkee 3 1/2 to 1 1/2.

In the section final on Sunday, Ennis were four and a half to half winners over their neighbours Woodstock.
Ennis will now play Adare Manor in the North Munster final. Adare qualified from Rathbane beating East Clare on their way.

The members of the Ennis team are John Hoey, Andrew Whelan, Ronan Nalty, TJ Scanlan and Keelan O’Flaherty.

Munster finals
THE Munster finals of the Pierce Purcell and Jimmy Brien Shield will take place at Bandon on Sunday week, July 14.

Lismore will play Shannon in the Jimmy Bruen Shield starting at the first tee at 8am with the clash of Cork and Killorglin starting at 10th tee at the same time.

In the Purcell Shield, Spanish Point will take on East Cork from the first tee at 8.45am with the clash of Ballykisteen and Newcastle at the same time from the 10th tee.

Irish Close
THE Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship is taking place at Woodenbridge in Wicklow this week. Clare players participating include Pamela Morgan and Valerie Shannon from Lahinch and Valerie Hassett from Ennis. Suzanne Corcoran from Portumna is also in the field.

Woodstock
THE winner of the open singles at Woodstock last Wednesday was John Considine (1) with 43 points from Martin Nugent (10) with a similar score with Kieran McDermott (12) in third spot with 42 points.

The weekly seniors’ competition was a team-of-three modified scramble over 16 holes and the winners were Richard Pyne, Willie Thompson and Michael Cullinan.

In the lady captain’s (Margaret Anne Killeen) prize to the men, the winner was Cathal O’Connor (2) with 70 nett from Frank McEnery (14) with 72 and Pat Keane (10) with 73 nett. Kieran Cunnane (scratch) won the gross with 73. The category winners were John Mulcahy (1) with 74, Frank Tone (17) with 73 and Kieran Patton (20) with 76.

Gerry Keohane (7) won the guests’ section with 27 points, while Rory Kennedy (18) won the seniors’ section with 72. The junior winner was Jack O’Shaughnessy with 47 points from Mark Slattery with 43.
The winner of the ladies’ section was Ramona Gleeson (34) with 75 nett and she had three to spare over Joan Barrett (18) with Aideen Walsh (15) a further two shots back in third spot followed by Marianne McGough (19) who also had 80. Áine Donegan (22) won the gross with 86.

The winners of the nines were Una Patton and Anne Marie Russell. Ramona Gleeson won the long drive at the second, while Áine Donegan won the long drive at the ninth. Joan Barrett won the prize for nearest the pin on the eighth, while the guests’ section was won by Peggy Duggan with 26 points for 14 holes.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Region semi-finals of the JB Carr Trophy (seniors), Woodstock won their home match against Limerick on a 3-2 scoreline on Monday. The away leg takes place on Monday next at Limerick at 2pm.

Ennis
LAST week’s seniors’ competition at Ennis was a team of four with two to count and 80 members played. The winners with 81 points were Tim Kelly, John Keane, Paddy Cahill and Greg Fogarty from Tom Pender, Michael Torpey, Charlie McEnery and Jimmy McNamara with 80 points.

In third spot with 78 points were Jimmy McEnery, Frank Coffey, Michael Dempsey and Sean O’Gorman with 78 points and they were followed on 77 by Pat Cusack, Pat Shannon, Ned Ryan and Paul Mockler. In fifth spot with 77 were Jimmy Keane, Johnnie Guerin, Eamonn Corry and Tony Mulvey while sixth spot was filled by Johnny Cullinan, John Guilfoyle, Mattie Molyneaux and Frank White, also with 77 points.

Lahinch
THE ladies’ fourball Stableford competition at Lahinch on Sunday was won by Niamh Reddan (18) and Anne Connaire (29) with 30 points.

In last week’s ladies’ monthly medal on the championship course, the winner was Angela Cullinan (13) with 74 nett from Anne Hayden (15) with 75 and Mary O’Brien (22) with 76. The gross was won by Elayne Hickey with 81.

The men’s open singles on Thursday was won by Dom Fitzpatrick (5) from Moate with 34 points from Ross Burke (13) from Spanish Point with 34, while third spot was filled by Ger Lees (12) from Nenagh with 33.

In the ladies’ open singles, the winner was Martina O’Reilly (21) from County Longford with 30 points.

The competition on Saturday and Sunday was the club championship. Playing off the blue tees, the winner was Stephen Loftus with 160 gross from Peter Hennessy on 163 with Greg Young winning the nett with 168.

Playing off the white tees, Jimmy Condon was the winner with 149 from Michael Lydon with a similar score with third spot filled by John Wall on 152.

In the Intermediate Scratch Cup, played for on the Castle course on Sunday, the winner was Jonathon Keane (12) with 79 from Urban McMahon (12) with 81 and John O’Gorman (18) with 87.

Dromoland
THE competition at Dromoland at the weekend was the Holmpatrick qualifier with proceeds in aid of the National Council for the Blind.

The winner was Ronan Mullane with 40 points from Tony Cleary on 39.

This week’s men’s competition is a three ball scramble with four drives per player to count.

The draw for the scotch foursomes has been made and first rounds are due to be played.

In the ladies’ competition, the winner was Kitty Quinn with 33 points from Aideen Mulcahy on 30 and Suzanne McConway, also with 30 points.

Shannon
LAST week’s open singles at Shannon was won by Michael P Hickey (17) with 43 points from Gerard O’Callaghan (13) with 41 and Bob Parr (19) with 40. Daniel Brennan (scratch) won the gross with 34 points.

The Jim O’Donnell Memorial medal was played for over the weekend and resulted in victory for Andrew Pearse (17) with 65 from Eamonn Cregan (12) with 66, John Morrissey (19) with 67, David Jones (12) with 67, Chris O’Connor (15) with 68, Brian Cadogan (14) with 68, Darren Keane (5) with 68 and David O’Brien (8) with 68. Ed Hickey (scratch) won the gross with 71 and Michael Hayes (16) won the junior section with 68.

Kilkee
THE singles competition at Kilkee was won by Pat Carey (16) with 39 points from Martin McGivern (12) with a similar score. John Grace (16) was third with 38 points.

In the singles v par competition, the winner was Leonard Mullane (12) with one-up from Stan O’Neill (17) with a similar score.

In the seniors’ outing, the winners were Connie Holmes, Mick Ahern and Bob Sillery from PJ Barry, Jimmy Lowe and David O’Connor.

In the ladies’ competition, the winner was Orla Walshe (32) with 39 points from Katherine O’Connor (27) with 39 and Therese Clancy (26) with 37.

East Clare
THE winner of the men’s singles at East Clare was Alan Morgan (15) with 38 points from Mike Carey (13) with 37 points while Liam Nolan (18) won the yellow markers competition with 37 points.

In the ladies’ singles, Nancy Starr was the winner from Siobhán Shanahan with Catherine Minogue third.

The Friday scramble winners were Val Donnellan, Pat Williams and Billy Hayes from Kieran Sheedy, Mick Ryan and Brigid Minogue.

The winners of the senior men’s competition were Michael Drew, Bill Cullen and Tim McGillicuddy from Ger Shortt, William McLysaght and Denis Collins with third spot filled by John Brett, Kevin Grimes and Mick Gough.
In the NBCRI men’s singles, the winner was Brendan O’Brien with 40 points from Eoghan Mannion with 39, Joe O’Brien with 39 and Willie Roche with 39.

In the NBCRI competition at East Clare last Wednesday, the winners were Majella Cotgreave, Maria Nolan and Carina Roseingrave from Mari and Marese Mannion and Ger Baggott with third spot filled by Nancy Starr, Celia Moloney and Pauline Nugent.

This week, the men’s section will have singles competitions off the white and yellow markets.

Spanish Point
THE winner of the Tuesday open men’s senior competition at Spanish Point was Gerry Meade with 40 points. Last weekend saw golfers compete for the president’s (Tom Mernagh) prize.

The winner was Gerry Meade who returned a score of 34 points in extremely windy and blustery conditions. In second place was Michael O’Brien also with 34 points followed by Stephen Cunningham. The gross prize was won by Eoghan O’ Loughlin with 32 points.

The front nine prize was won by Joe O’Rourke with 19 points and the back nine prize went to David Fitzgerald with 18 points. The past presidents’ prize was won by PJ Killeen with 34 points and the guest prize went to Tom O’Dea who returned 31 points.

The president’s prize to the ladies went to lady captain Helen Sullivan. This weekend is the lady captain’s prize to the men. The Friday evening scrambles are back up and running and are proving to be extremely popular. This Friday the outing will be followed by a barbecue.

Kilrush
THE winners of the men’s seniors’ competition at Kilrush last week were PJ Maher, Senan Carrig, Michael Leonard and Pat Shannon from PW Glynn, Paddy Carmody, Tom McGrath and Seamus O’Doherty with third spot filled by Noel Enright, Michael Horgan and Billy Clarke.

In the ladies’ singles on Thursday the winner was Mary G Nolan with 65 from Margaret Donnelly on 68, Carmel Lillis on 70 and Ursula Lineen on 72. The gross was won by Niamh Whelan with 83, while the nines were won by Maura McSwiggan and Anne Hogan.

In the Bridie Culligan mixed on Friday, the winners were Barry McMahon and Freda Moran from Sean Moran and Geraldine Burke with third spot filled by Fergal O’Shea and Ursula Lineen. The gross was won by Jim Young Snr and Annie Gallagher.

In the Kilrush hospital team-of-four competition on Saturday, the winners were John Lynch, Jim O’Brien, Frank Crosby and Christy Cosgrave with  91 points from Finbarr McMahon, James Murtagh, Sean Gilmartin and Martin Kelly with 90. In third spot were Margaret Clune, Fergal O’Shea, Tony McMahon and Mick Hogan with 87.

In the Hospital Cup singles on Sunday, the winner was Barry McMahon with 38 points from his father, Finbarr, on 35 with Michael Hogan in third spot, also with 35 points. Cian O’Mahony with 18 and Ger Ryan with 22 won the nines.

This Friday the Rush Cups, a mixed 18-hole competition will take place. Open week begins on Saturday and timesheets will operate for the week. The lady president’s (Kathleen O’Brien) prize will be played for on Thursday next, July 11.

Portumna
IN the men’s 18-hole stroke competition on Sunday at Portumna on Sunday, the winner was Stephen Madden (15) with 70 from Leo Kelly (10) with 72 and Ray Lawless (15) with 72. The gross was won by Paul Porter (4) with 80, while the seniors was won by John Kennedy (14) with 74.

In the ladies’ centenary medal competition, the winner was Carmel McLoughlin (14) with 68 from Bríd Kelly (24) with 72 and Anne Cassidy (1) with 72, Lilian Austin (28) won the seniors section with 75.

The men’s open singles continues on Mondays with a seniors’ open singles on Wednesdays.

Open week begins this Saturday and continues until Sunday week.

Gort
THE lady captain’s (Phil Mulkerrins) prize was played on Sunday. It was an 18-hole stroke and the winner was Emer O’Rourke (18) with 68 from Ann Marie Moran (33) with 69, Áine Kerins (21) with 71, Kathleen Reeves (25) with 72, Gabrielle Warnock (22) with 73, Margaret McMahon (28) with 74, Róisín Walsh (30) with 74, Maura Hanrahan (12) with 75, Josie Cummins (17) with 75 and Patricia Reddy (17) with 75.

Siobhán O’Connor (1) won the gross with 85, while Mary Fahey Coen (17) won the past captain’s prize with 75. Other prize winners were Regina Malone (35) with 77 (committee prize), Helen Shaughnessy (18) with 37 (front 9) Helen McCormick (21) with 37 (back 9) Maura Hanrahan (nearest the pin), Helen McCormick (long drive).

The winner of the ladies’ singles’ competition at Gort on Monday was Patricia Reddy (17) with 39 points from Siobhán O’Connor (1) with 37.

Captain John Skehill’s prize to the ladies will be played for this weekend.

In the men’s open singles on Monday, the winner was John Greer (6) with 40 points from Robert Boyce junior (18) with 39 and Paul Smith (10) with 39. The gross was won by David Fitzgerald (1) from Dromoland with 35 points.

In the weekend’s 18-hole singles, the winner was Colm Beakey (1) with 40 points from Aidan O’Donnell (14) with a similar score, Ger Hooban (14) with 39 points and Michael Greally (19) with 38 points. Ryan Boyle (5) won the gross with 31 points.

Éire Óg
ÉIRE Óg GAA club society will hole an outing to Galway Bay this Saturday. The tee is available from 10am to 11am and those wishing to play must confirm to Tommy Corbett at 086 3895895.

Supporting Bushy Park
THE third annual classic in aid of Bushypark treatment centre will be held in Ennis on August 31.

This event is a key financial fundraiser to assist Bushypark Treatment Centre to continue to provide vital services to people and families affected by alcohol, drug (illicit and prescribed) and gambling addictions. Last year’s outing raised €6,000 and organisers are hoping to achieve a similar amount this year.

To date over 4,300 people have availed of the centre’s 28-day residential programme in addition to assessment services and family therapy programmes.

To book a tee time, contact Ennis club captain Des Neylon on 087 2491960.

Haven Arms society
THE inaugural Haven Arms (Kilrush) society captain’s (Pat Brennan) prize was played for at Kilrush last Saturday when the winner was Denis Hassett with 37 points from Michael Studdert with a similar score. Bill Murphy, also with 37 points, was third with Billy Clarke in fourth spot with 36 points. Joan O’Malley won the ladies prize with 32 points.

Pitch and Putt
THE Cill Na Móna Pitch and Putt club Scratch Cup will be played for this Sunday. The tee time is 9am with last card at 2pm.

The competition at the Clare Road Pitch and Putt Club last Sunday was a three-ball scramble and the winners were Tommy Kelly, Gareth Kerin and Kevin Woods.