Ennis JB Carr team in search of national title

The Ennis JB Carr team travels to Woodenbridge in Wicklow this weekend in search of a second national title in the seniors’ competition.

 

The four provincial winners will gather at the scenic County Wicklow venue, where the semi-finals will take place on Saturday, followed by the final on Sunday.

Ennis sealed their second provincial title in Kenmare last week when they secured the two wins they needed to bring the title back to their club.

After the first leg in Ennis a week earlier, the Jimmy McNamara-managed Clare club led 4-1, so they needed just two wins to seal victory.

Paul Higgins and Tony Coote lost in the opening match on the 17th before Luke Coote and Eamonn Kelly won on the 16th. Noel Pyne and Johnnie Cullinan won their match on the 16th, at which stage they were just one over. This win sealed victory for Ennis. Pat Murphy and Matt Flynn were three-up when they were called in while Tony Kehoe and Eamonn Corry were one-up when their match was called in.

Ballinrobe will represent Connacht in the national final, with Leinster represented by The Island and Ulster by Ennniskillen.

Meanwhile, the Kearse Cup was played for by the members last Thursday when Gerry Gilligan emerged as the winner with 44 points. He had four to spare over Pádraig Ryan with Sean Fitzpatrick, also on 40 points, in third spot. They were followed by Tom Greene, John Stack and Andy Crega, all with 39 points. Noel Pyne won the gross with 35 points.

In the guests’ section, Noel Whelan won with 38 points from Leo Herbert on 37 and Ian Myatt on 36.

In the ladies’ section, Kitty Morris and Bridget Hoey won the Gaiety Cup with 36 points from Joan Malone and Margaret McEnery on 35 points.

In the ladies’ seniors’ competition, the winners were Susan O’Brien, Carmel Verling and Patricia O’Donnell with 50 points from Mary Walsh, Nuala Guinan and Vera Griffin on 46.

On Sunday last, Ennis hosted the annual CBS past-pupils’ outing. Adrian Coleman was the winner with 42 points from Colin Ryan on 41, Martin Coffey on 40, Darragh Carmody on 39, Charlie McEnery on 39 and Jim O’Connor on 39. Alan Butler won the gross with 30 points. The category winners were Victor Coote with 36 points, Adrian Rushe with 37 and Seamus Bowe with 38 while the nines were won by Brian Kilker with 22 and Joe Carmody with 19.

In the Ennis members’ section, the winner was Colm McNevin with 39 from Kieran Fox with 39, David Doyle with 38 and Gerry Bredin with 38.

Lahinch
In the ladies’ singles v par competition last week on the championship course, the winner was Olivia Lucas (7) with two up from Bríd Fallon (21) with one up and Siobhán Conway (10) with a score of all square. The gross was won by Jenny Hennessy with three-down.

The men’s singles Stableford competition on Saturday on the Castle Course was won by Frank Keane (11) with 43 points from Shane Duggan (10) with 42 points and Robert Browne (5) with 41 points.

The men’s monthly medal, a singles stroke competition, was played for on Sunday on the championship course when the winner was Kevin Glynn (9) with 72 nett from Paddy Ryder (11) with a similar score. Fergus Blake (14) was third on 73 while the gross was won by Leonard Shanahan with 80.

In a ladies’ singles Stableford competition on the championship course on Sunday, the winner was Una McCarthy (15) with 40 points from Evelyn Lyons (21) with 36 points and Fiona McCarthy (13) with 34 points. Marjorie Ahern won the gross with 25 points.

Woodstock
In the weekly seniors’ competition played over 16 holes at Woodstock, the winner was Michael Nugent with 33 points from Willie Thompson on 32 and Nick Germaine on 30.

In the seniors’ matchplay for the Simon O’Donnell Cup, the winner was Ollie McNamara, who defeated Brendan Arthur in the final.

Gort
There was a singles Stableford competition for men at Gort at the weekend when the winner was Joseph Moran (9) with 39 points from Mike McNamara (17), with a similar score. In third spot was Tony Naughton (25) with 38 points followed by Colm Beakey (12) with 37 points. The gross was won by Colman Cooney (5) with 26 points.

The president’s (Pat Cradock) prize was played for on Saturday when the winner was Michael Cahill (11) with 76 points from David Quirke (4) with 73 points. Ollie Fahy (10) was next with 73 points followed by Brendan Dolan (19) with 72 points, Conor Shields (9) 71 points, Des Casey (14) 70 points and David Keogh (12) 69 points. Liam Martyn (12) won the gross with 26 points while the nett winner was Shane Diviney (14) with 41 points.

Other prize winners were past president, Michael O’Grady; seniors, Michael Cunninham; distance member, Michael O’Malley; student member, Joseph Moran; longest drive, Gerry Broderick; nearest the pin, John Greer.

In the Monday open singles, the winner was Jack Beakey (22) with 40 points from Joe Beakey (9) with 39 points and Peter McCafferty (16) with 37 points. The gross was won by Enda Cradock (Scr) with 34 points.
This Sunday the junior, intermediate and minor scratch cups will be played for.

In the ladies’ section, the winner of the president’s prize was Margaret McMahon (30) with 77 from Ann Jordan (33) with 71, Maura Hanrahan (13) with 70, Josie Collins (17) with 68, Margaret Whelan (28) with 67, Ann Nolan (29) with 63 and Phil Mulkerrins (27) with 56. Siobhán O’Connor (9) won the gross with 26.

In the Monday open singles Hannah McInerney (8) won with 38 points from Maura Hanrahan (13) with 37 points. Next week, the ladies will play for the Rockfield Cup.

Dromoland
The men’s medal was played for at Dromoland at the weekend when the winner was Kieran Newman with 70 nett from Niall Cannon with 71 and Tim Kennelly with 71. The ladies’ weekly competition was won by Bernadette McDermott.

Spanish Point
Last Friday and Saturday, the captain’s (Noel McMahon) prize was played for at Spanish Point with over 80, including guests, taking part in what were typical seaside links conditions of strong winds and occasional heavy showers.

A very enjoyable function was held on Saturday evening in the clubhouse after the outing. The winner was Michael O’Brien (15) 64 nett from Ray Boyce (18) 66 nett, Brendan Sexton (15) 66 nett, Jim Marrinan (16) 66 nett and Fergal Hehir (17) 67 nett. The gross was won by Eoghan O’Loughlin (3) with 75. The winners of the nines were Micheál Hehir (13) 30 nett and Brendan Coyne (14) 31 nett. Other prizewinners included Brendan Reddan (15) 67 nett (past captain) and Christy McCaw (17) on 36 points (visitors).

Earlier in the season, the captain’s prize to ladies was played for and the winner was Helen Sullivan from Breda Murphy and Nuala Kilroy. The captain’s prize to juniors was won by Daragh Lynch (28) with 41 points from Kevin Daly (23) 40 points and Rory Sexton (19) with 38 points.

Next weekend, the competition is the annual parent club’s fundraising open, which takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a team of four and is open to members and non-members. Timesheets are in the clubhouse.

The ladies’ outing to Lahinch Golf Club was won by Lucia Cronin, Kathleen Twomey and Geraldine Reddan. Fiona Coffey (25) was the winner of the NBCRI competition with a score of 34 points from Mary Kenny and Fiona O’Boyle. The masters final takes place on Sunday, September 9 and details are posted in the clubhouse

Kilrush
The seniors president’s (Maurice Roche) prize was played for last week when the winner was Noel Cooney with 42 points from John Stapleton with 41, Noel Enright with 39, Denis F Nagle with 38, Ollie McNamara with 37 and Michael Hemmings with 35. Paddy Carmody won the past president’s prize with 34 points, while the nines were won by Bill Murphy and Brendan McNamara, each with 20 points.

In the Fr Malone ladies’ singles v par, Ann Marie Donnellan (32) was the winner with two up from Muriel Kiely (31) with a similar score. Third was Mary Young (21) with one-up followed by Anne Coen (15).
Last Saturday, the president’s (Jimmy McSwiggan) prize was played for and the winner was Gabriel Looney (13) with 42 points from Tom Prendeville (15) with 41 points, Michael Ryan (14) with 38 points and Mark Glynn (14) with 37 points. Jim Young Junior (9) won the gross with 32 points, while the category winners were Jim Young Senior (6) with 35 points, Tomás Prendeville (12) with 36 points and John Robinson (23) with 32 points. Other prizewinners included Declan O’Donovan (9) (committee prize) with 33 points, Liam Williams (11) (past president) with 35 points while James Murtagh (18) and Pat St Ledger (10) won the nines, each with 20 points.

Sunday’s open singles was won by Tom Coffey (10) with 39 points from Tony McMahon (17) with 37 points and Pat Brennan (7) with 35 points.

The Flan Brew memorial men’s singles open Stableford competition will be the competition this Sunday. On Thursday next, the ladies will play for the ESB Cup.

Shannon
Gerard Gallagher (20) was the winner of the Michael O’Grady memorial September medal at Shannon with 63. He won by three strokes from Michael P Hickey (19) with Aidan Mannix (7) in third spot on 67. They were followed by Patrick Halpin (13) with 67, Jody O’Connor (9) with 67, Gerard Shanahan (14) with 67, David O’Brien (9) with 68 and Gerard O’Callaghan (13) with 69. Jamie O’Shea (2) won the gross with 72 from Lewy Halpin junior (4) on 74.

The open singles on Wednesday was won by Pat Green (12) with 39 points from Finbar Keyes (12) who had a similar score. Liam Hogan (12) was third and he also scored 39 points, while Damian Casey (4) won the gross with 34 points.

In the ladies’ August medal ,the winner was Liz O’Sullivan (16) with 72 from Eileen Carey (21) with 73, Mary Flynn (19) with 73, Deirdre Coady (31) with 74 and Michelle Pyke (11) with 74. Jean Murphy Wright (9) won the gross with 84.

Portumna
In the weekend singles at Portumna, the winner was Liam Keane (18) with 39 points from John Cleary (4) with 39 points and Pat Mulvihill (14) with 38 points. JP McLoughlin (scr) won the gross with 37points.
The open singles on Monday was won by Paul Porter (6) with 42 points from Jimmy Joe McLoughlin (10) with 39 points and Stiofan O’Connaire (17) with 38 points. JP McLoughlin (scr) won the gross with 35 points.

The ladies’ section held a singles competition in aid of breast cancer research on Sunday, when the winner was Aoife Connolly (Cregmore Park) (20) with 41 points from Siobhán Smyth (Bearna)(32) with 35 points and Birgit Degenhardt (22) with 35 points. The gross was won by Breda Farrell (Curra West) (12) with 17 points.

There will be an open two-person team event for ladies this Sunday. The lady captain’s (Ena Moran) prize will be played for this Saturday followed by dinner and the presentation of prizes. The club held a very successful junior golf camp last week. Over 30 young boys and girls attended.

GAA outing
The Clare Football Supporters’ Club, in conjunction with Bord na nÓg Peil, hosted the annual golf classic at Kilrush last week.

The winning team, on a score of 94 points, comprised Mickey O’Sullivan, Pascal Looney, Pat Lorigan and Don Ryan. They won by five from the Lissycasey GAA team of Paudie Carmody, Tony, Barry and Finbar McMahon. In third place, also on 89 points, were the Kilkee GAA team of Noel Kilkenny, Jack McCarthy, Pádraig and Aodan Cotter.

They were followed by Michael Studdert, A Shannon, C Pyne and M McCarthy on 88 points, Benny Neylon, Jim Cooney, John O’Byrne and PJ Garry on 87 points, the Curtin and O’Friel team of Donal Cahill, Michael Lynch, Martin Griffin and Joe Ryan on 87 points and the Cooraclare GAA team of Martin Morrissey, Mick Lillis, Jude Pyne and Mark Kavanagh on 86 points. All the money raised will go towards the promotion of underage football throughout the county.

Lifford FC
Lifford Soccer Club will host the annual Frank Flaherty Golf Classic at Ennis on Saturday, September 22. This is a team-of-four competition and a timesheet will operate, with details available from Ferdie O’Donoghue at 086 3289041.

Sixmilebridge
Sixmilebridge Society will hold an outing to Charleville this Saturday, when the tee will be available from 12 noon.

Corofin
John Daly captured the Corofin Society’s captain’s prize at Gort on Saturday last. Martin Flaherty finished a close second with Matthew O’Halloran and Michael Ryan, Kilnaboy, taking the minor places. The nines were won by Noel Williams and David O’Dell.

The category prizes went to David Daly, who also took the nearest-the-pin trophy, Paul Ryan and Kieran Reidy, who also won the longest drive. Michael Ryan, Tubber, took the past captain’s prize. Deirdre Ryan won the ladies’ prize with Sean Daly taking the guest prize. The next outing for the local club will Jimmy Lahiffe’s president’s prize, which is scheduled for East Clare on Saturday, September 8.

Greg Young Trophy
The Greg Young Memorial Trophy will be played for on Friday, September 14 (Castle Course) and Saturday, September 15 (Old Course). This is a 36-hole stroke open event open to anyone 50 and over. A shotgun start (8am) will be used for day two with a light lunch provided for players on completion. The presentation will take place in the clubhouse at 1.15pm.

Munster win for Clare girls
East Clare’s Ciara Magill and Tara Whelan were both on the Munster team that won the girls’ inter-provincials in Ballinrobe last week. This was the first time Munster had won this event in 20 years and East Clare was the only club with two representatives. Shannon’s Lisa O’Shea was also part of the team that beat holders Ulster in the opening game and followed this with wins over Connacht and Leinster.

East Clare
The winner of the president’s (Pat Hanrahan) prize at East Clare last weekend was Patsy Kett (13) with 45 points from Brendan Moloney (13) 43 points, Stephen Moloney (12) 43 points, Michael O’Brien (16) 42 points, John Duffy (13) 42 points and Damien Carroll (14) 42 points. The gross was won by Pádraig Hession (1) 35 points. Other prize winners include seniors, Tom Larkin (19) 41 points; past president, Dominic Stuart (16) 41 points; front nine, Richard Tuite (9) 21 points; back nine, Barry Hurley (10) 21 points; longest drive, Mike Whelan and nearest the pin, Tim Walsh.

In the ladies’ section, the winner was Sheena Mannion on 39 points from Deirdre Cooney 38 points, Breda O’Loghlin, 38 points, Bess Fennessy, 38 points, Siobhán Shanahan, 38 points and Kathleen O’Brien, 36 points. The gross was won by Tara Whelan, 28 points. Other prizewinners were past president, Catherine Murphy, 35 points; front nine, Pauline Nugent, 23 points; back nine, Leslie O’Flynn, 19 points; longest drive, Fiona Kinsella; nearest the pin, Pat Williams.

There will be a stroke competition for men and ladies this weekend. There will be a men’s senior open singles competition on Tuesday, September 11. There will also be a members’ information night that evening at 8pm.

Pitch and Putt
The Clare Road scratch cups will be played for this Sunday, with the tee available from 10am. Sunday’s two-ball scramble was won by Paddy Sheedy and Gareth Kerin from PJ Considine and Tommy Kelly.

 

Special Olympics Triple Crown event

Peter Kavanagh and Shane Maguire from Ennis Special Olympics Golf Club have been selected on the Irish Special Olympics team, who will contest a Special Olympics Golf Triple Crown Tournament at Hollystown Golf Club, Dublin on September 10 and 11.

The Irish team is made up of six representatives from each of the provinces and Peter and Shane represent Munster.

Tony Kehoe and Dave O’Brien caddy regularly for Peter and Shane and will also caddy at this event.
Ennis volunteer Pat Rutherford is a coach at the tournament.

The event is a nine-hole singles competition played each day with individual category prizes. The top combined cards from Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales will win the Triple Crown.

The teams will be hosted at The Carlton Hotel, Tyrellstown, Dublin.

Ennis Special Olympics Golf Club, formed in 2005, caters for 17 golf athletes each Monday at Ennis Golf Club, who make their facilities available.