Stars line up for JP McManus event

It was announced at a reception in Adare last Thursday that two-time Major champion Angel Cabrera, of Argentina and rising US star Nick Watney will be in the field in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, on July 5 and 6.

Defending champion Pádraig Harrington and Aston Villa Manager Martin O’Neill were guests of honour at the event, where the latest line-up of players was announced.
Currently ranked 32 in the world rankings, Cabrera has won more than 20 tournaments worldwide.
Watney is one of an exciting younger generation of US players who has impressed on the PGA Tour and is currently ranked 28 in the rankings.
McManus, the tournament host, welcomed the addition of Cabrera and Watney.  Players who already committed to playing include Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Anthony Kim, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Robert Allenby and Camilo Villegas.
Ireland’s three-time Major champion, Pádraig Harrington, the winner of the event in 2005, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will head the home challenge.
“We are very fortunate to have an outstanding field of top professionals who are giving their time and talent freely to support our tournament. We would like to thank the hundreds of volunteers, the organising committee as well as the European PGA Tour, Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort and all our supporters and spectators who have helped make it all happen. We also appreciate the tremendous family and local community support and we look forward to working with everyone at what promises to be two days of world-class golf and great fun,” said McManus.
The aim of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am is to support mid-western charities and groups in their work with the underprivileged and disadvantaged. All proceeds are donated towards the development of these services.
Spectators can choose from one of eight different coloured “two-day entrance caps” representing Ireland, Munster Rugby and each of the Munster counties. They can be purchased from the website on www.jpmcmanusproam.com or at selected retail outlets.

Ennis
Gerry Daly won the Abbey Trophy at Ennis on Saturday evening on the 19th hole after a thrilling match with Stephen Loftus that saw both men fight valiantly against the changing weather conditions.
Stephen started well and was two up after two but Gerry fought back to be level after four and then went one up after seven.
The game was very tight, with some very good golf mixed with some not so good at times. Gerry went down the 15th two up after holing a great putt down the 14th green. Stephen had it level again on the 17th. Gerry won that hole, only for Stephen to haul him back on 18.
Gerry finally fought off the challenge to win on the 19th in what was a very tough evening for golf.
Ennis won the Costelloe Cup on Sunday when they defeated Woodstock by four points, 207 to 203. The top five cards for Ennis were returned by Gerry Gilligan and Ian Myatt on 45 points, John Neylon and Liam Pyne: on 42 points, Tony Kehoe and Andy Cregan on 41 points, Peter Quinn and Paul McCabe on 40 points and Joe Colleran and Michael Guerin on 39 points.
Woodstock’s top five cards were returned by Conor Sexton and Nicky Ryan with 43 points, Vincent Hennessy and Mike Hehir on 41 points, Jimmy Kelly and Michael Kelly on 40 points, Noel Dinan and Dermot O’ Neill on 40 points and Robert and Jason Dormer on 39 points.
In the Friday open singles, Alan Butler was the winner with 40 points from Ian Mulready (East Clare) who had a similar score. Patrick Cuddy was third with 36 points followed by Kealan O’Flaherty on 33 points.
In the ladies’ section, Jean Considine was the winner of the 18-hole singles with 41 points from Eileen Corry on 39, Ann O’Sullivan on 37, Vera Griffin on 37 and Maura Ryan on 37.
In the ladies’ seniors 14-hole scramble, Mary Hennessy, Nora Kelly and Vera Griffin were the winners from Anne Kehoe, Ann Daly and Vera Byrne, with third spot filled by Mary Colton, Claire Ruane and Emmanuel McMahon ahead of Carmel Verling, Pauline Parks and Mary Leahy.
There will be an open fourball for ladies and men this Saturday and Sunday, with an open singles on Bank Holiday Monday. The weekly open fourball will continue on Friday, as will the weekly fourball on Tuesday evenings.

Woodstock
Nicholas Ryan won the Wednesday open singles at Woodstock with 43 points from Niall McMahon on 39 and Thomas Gleeson on a similar score.
In the weekend singles competition, Noel Lyons was the winner with 36 points from Darragh Collins on 35.
The April monthly medal will be played for this weekend.
Hugh McGrath and Jim Carmody’s teams have qualified for the spring league final.
In the 14-hole mixed competition, Brian Aherne and Joan Barrett were the winners with 29 points from Liam McInerney and Mary Sadlier, who had 28.

Kilrush
The Special Olympics charity ladies day at Kilrush was won by Anne Coen with 38 points from Kathleen O’Brien, who had a similar score. Ursula Lineen was third with 35 points.
The ladies’ team-of-three competition was won by Miriam Saunders, Mary G Nolan and Anne Gallagher with 94 points from Deborah Glynn; Niamh Whelan and Mary Nolan with 80 points. Third spot was filled by Anne Brennan, Nicola O’Leary and Martina Walsh with 78 points.
In the men’s seniors team of three with two scores to count the winners were Tom Clarke, Noel Enright and John Robinson on 61 points from Noel Thornton, Ml Hemmings and Maurice Roche with 59 points. In third spot were TJ Lyons, Joe Ryan and Paddy Carmody with 58 points.
The weekend’s singles stroke competition was won by Barry Murphy (10) with 66 net from Jim McKenna (4) on 68 net.
This Saturday, the Fr Pat Malone open team-of-four competition will take place, while there will be an open singles on Sunday and a similar competition on Monday morning, with a mixed scramble from 3pm.

Shannon
Last Wednesday’s open singles at Shannon saw Alan Dunlea capture the spoils with 41 points. A tremendous back nine of 22 points anchored Alan to victory. Alan had one point to spare from both Jeremiah Walsh and Eugene Donaghy, with Jerry edging out Eugene on the back nine. The gross was captured by Edward Hickey with a level par round, the highlight of which was an eagle three at the eighth hole.
The weekend competition was the April medal, which saw Pat Greene relegate John O’Connor into second place by virtue of a better back six, both returning 67s. Highlight of Pat’s opening nine was a birdie at the eighth.  Pat covered the back nine in five over, with a birdie at the 16th being the highlight. Pat just pipped John O’Connor who, despite an errant front nine, settled down to cover the back nine in six over. However, a double bogey on 17th was to prove costly in the end. Junior member James Corry was third with 68, just pipping Gerard Begley on the back nine. The gross was won by Paul O’Neill with a one-under gross 71, which included four birdies. A trio of Kevin McCarthy, Ml Cummins and Brendan O’Brien occupied fifth, sixth and seventh, all returning 69s.
The ladies 18-hole stroke played saw three ladies finish on 76, with Mary Flynn edging out Hilary Park and Lynn Kelly on the back nine. The gross was won by Naoimh McMahon with 84.
The May open team-of-four will take place this weekend, while the May course development fundraiser, also a team-of-four competition, will take place on Sunday.

Dromoland
In the weekend’s singles competition at Dromoland, Dermot O’Neill was the winner with 38 points from John O’Shaughnessy, who had a similar score. Seamus Cusack, also with 38 points, was in third spot. Gay O’Gara won the section for the over-18 handicap with 38 points while the winner of the junior section was Edmond Moriarty with 36 points.
The Dromoland ladies’ challenge team under manager Julie Fitzgerald beat Woodstock in Lahinch and the ladies’ minor team under manager Maureen McKeogh also beat Woodstock in Lahinch.

Spanish Point
St Joseph’s GAA Club, Miltown held a classic in aid of the stand development at Hennessy Park last Friday and Saturday. The event was very well supported, with a large entry of teams. The format was a team of four in scramble stroke play and the winning team of Gerry O’Loughlin, Pat Greene, Brendan Sexton and Eoghan O’Loughlin posted a great score of 54.8 against the par of 68.  In second place were Christy McCaw, Martin Clohessy, Neilius Burke and Eileen Curley. In third place were Tom Mernagh, Gary Carroll, Joe Hurley and Michael Hillery followed by Tom Halpin, Peter Hennessy, Jim Marrinan and Stephen Hennessy. Nearest to the pin went to Johnny Wilson and Eoin Curtin, with longest drive won by Peter Hennessy.

Doonbeg
Kieran Golden and Gerry Kelly were the recent winners of the fourball competition, followed by Timmy Killeen and Kevin Hayes.
Doonbeg links will play Lahinch in the annual Challenge Cup competition on Sunday, May 9 at Lahinch, with the tee available from 1pm.

Portumna
Catherine Dunne was the winner of the ladies’ competition at Dromoland with 42 points from Dagmar Ullrich-Werner with 40 points, with third spot filled by Mary Browne on 40 points. The gross was won by Anita Carey with 25 points.
In the men’s competition at the weekend Pat Carroll was the winner with 68 nett from Damien Quigley on 69, Patrick Kearney on 71 and John Hynes on 71. Joe Forde won the gross with 83.
There will be an open classic at Portumna this Friday to Sunday for teams of four.
The Fred Daly Plate team put on an excellent performance against Claremorris over the weekend. It was a seven-man team and Claremorris won on a 4/3 scoreline.
The Portumna team comprised Cathal Lowry, Jamie Conboy, Mark Walsh, Conor Barry, Max Parry, David Cleary and Niall Moloney. 
The annual JB Stronge Open will be held on May 9 and a time sheet is open.
The Ability West Mentally Handicapped Classic is a very popular golf classic for charity, which is now in its 15th year. It will be held from May 6-8 and the timesheet is now open.

East Clare
Kieran Kennedy and John Duffy were the winners of the fourball matchplay qualifier at East Clare with 45 points, from Pat McKenna and Dave Philips, who had a similar score.
In the men’s seniors Joe O’Shaughnessy was the winner with 20 points from Liam Nolan on 18 and Tony McNulty on 18.
In the ladies 18-hole Stableford, Tara Whelan was the winner with 43 points from Eileen Donnellan on 39 points and Siobhán Shanahan on 38.
All of the East Clare ladies’ teams were successful in their matches last weekend. The minor team comprised Peggy Ryan, Mary Beatty, Terry Mulvihill, Mary Brennan and Patricia Browne. The Challenge Cup team comprised Nancy Starr, Joan Kinsella, Sue Casey, Phil Burke and Bridget Minogue while the intermediate panel included Mary Mannion, Helen Ahern, Siobhán Shanahan, Eileen Donnellan and Tara Whelan.
All three qualify for the next round, which will be played in East Clare on May 29.
There will be an open team-of-three competition running this weekend while there will also be an open singles for men and ladies. The weekly men’s open singles continues on Thursdays.

Clare Teachers
The Clare Teachers Society held a team-of-three competition at Kilrush last week, when the winners were Michael Cummins, Joe Griffin and Mark Hogan with 83 points from Seamus Frehill, Con Woods and Tim Kelly on 78 points.
The society’s next outing will be the Hillery Cup, which will be played on May 15 at East Clare. A timesheet will operate and details can be had from 086 3167365.

Clarecastle
Clarecastle native Johnny Meere was the recent winner of the society’s outing to Portumna. Pat Barry was second, with Ger Shanahan third. John McGrath and Tom Coughlan were the respective front and back nine winners. The guests’ section was won by Robbie Connellan. The society’s next outing is to Ennis on the afternoon of Monday, May 17.

Kilmihil
The annual general meeting of the Kilmihil Society was held recently and the following are the officers for the coming year. President, Finbarr McMahon; captain, Tony McMahon; vice-captain, Ailish Lorigan; treasurer, Eamon Rigney; secretary/PRO, Ann Duggan; competition secretary, Anne Coen; handicap secretary, Michael Lillis; ex-officio, Lucy Blake;
Committee, Ursula Lineen, Clare Pyne, Geraldine Burke, Michael Coghlan, Billy Coen.
The drive-in took place recently and the winners were Lucy Blake, Tony McMahon and Finbarr McMahon from Tessie and Jay Garry and Michael Lillis. Third spot was filled by Ursula Lineen, Gay Looney, Billy Coen and Paddy Carmody.
The winners last week were Tom O’Dea, Lucy Blake and Margaret Clune from Geraldine Burke, Eamon Rigney and Tony McMahon.  Third spot was filled by Peggy Mulqueen, Michael Bolton and Annie Gallagher.
This week’s winners were Mary and Paddy Carmody and Peggy Mulqueen from Peter O’Loughlin, Billy Coen and Ann McMahon. Third spot was filled by Margaret Clune, Finbarr McMahon and Eamon Rigney.
The tee is reserved every Wednesday evening from 5.30 to 6.30pm in Kilrush.

St Joseph’s
St Joseph’s Camogie Club will hold a golf classic on Bank Holiday Monday in Woodstock.
This is a team-of-four event and tee times are available from Liam Duggan on 086 8421623.

Scariff college classic
The winners of the team-of-three competition in aid of the Scariff Community College pitch development fund were Pat Mulvihill, David Burke and Joe O’Donnell with 73 points from Mary and Kevin Mannion and Oliver Hughes with 69 points. In third place with 69 points were John Brennan, Eugene Noonan and Sean Daly.

Pitch and Putt
The winners of the strokeplay competition at the Clare Road Club on Sunday were Marty Fawl (senior), Gareth Kerin (intermediate) and Gabriel Kerin (junior).
There will be club competitions this bank holiday weekend.