Mannan Castle Golf Club notes

Mannan Castle Men

Darren Dillon was the overall winner this weekend with a brilliant 42pts. Most of Darren’s hard work came on the back nine, shooting a superb 24 points.

READ NEXT: Cathal O’Neill wins first major at Dundalk Golf Club

Division 1 was won by Eoin Sherry with a score of 39pts. Two birdies helped Eoin win on the countback. Runner-up was Conor Farrelly with 39pts.

Tony Donagher won Division 2 with a great score of 41pts. Tony played very solidly throughout, and it’s brilliant to see him back in the winners' enclosure once again. Noel Sherlock finished in second place with 40pts.

Division 3 was won by David O’Connell with a great score of 41pts. The highlight of David’s round was a birdie two on the third hole. Paul Martin finished in second place with 40pts.

Michael Martin won Division 4 with a score of 40pts. A brilliant back nine of 22 points was good enough to win by one shot. Runner-up was Liam Thornton with 39pts.

Weekend Singles Stableford 23rd and 24th August - Overall Winner - Darren Dillon (PH.22) – 42pts. Division 1 - 1st - Eoin Sherry (PH.9) - 39pts c/b; 2nd - Conor Farrelly (PH.3) – 39pts; Division 2 - 1st - Tony Donagher (PH.12) – 41pts; 2nd - Noel Sherlock (PH.16) – 40pts.

Division 3 - 1st - David O’Connell (PH.20) – 41pts; 2nd - Paul A Martin (PH.18) – 40pts; Division 4 - 1st - Michael Martin (PH.33) – 40pts; 2nd - Liam Thornton (PH.23) – 39pts.

The Club Fourball Match Play final concluded. Jason Hughes (0) and Eamon Ned Murphy (12) took on Ciaran Marron (1) and Rory Lennon (3).

From the off, it was a par parade. The first three holes were all halved with pars from both teams. Another par from Jason on the fourth putt, himself and Eamon one up.

The fifth hole, index one, was another super half, with a 120-yard third shot stitched from Eamon for a tap-in par, to be followed by a hail mary shot from the ditch from Ciaran for another tap-in par.

Another par from Eamon put the boys two up after six holes. The seventh hole was halved. Ciaran with a birdie two on the eighth brought the game back to one down. A par from Jason on the ninth put them back to two up.

A bogey from Eamon was enough to take the 10th hole to go three up. The fight back came when Ciaran parred the 11th and 12th holes to win both and bring the game back to one down.

The next two holes were ding-dong as Jason and Eamon took the 13th and Rory and Ciaran claimed the 14th. The highlight of the day was an eagle from Jason on the 15th to win the hole and go back to two up.

The match was by no means over as Rory stitched a flop shot from over the bunker for a tap-in par and a win to continue the match to the 17th. Rory hit his “shot of the day” to 6 feet, and was unlucky not to birdie the hole.

It was all or nothing for Rory and Ciaran going up the last one down, and the boys had to attack, and unfortunately, it wasn’t enough after Eamon and Jason hit the green in two and had a couple of putts to win the hole.

Congratulations to Jason and Eamon on the great win, and commiserations to Rory and Ciaran, there is always next year, lads.

The match was played in great spirits, and the boys enjoyed food and drinks in the Clubhouse afterwards.

Mannan Castle Seniors

Mannan Castle Seniors' weekly competition provided the usual friendly but closely contested rivalry. Played over nine holes, Peter Burns (PH13) led the field home with an excellent 23 points to claim his first overall win.

He started well before a little hiccup on hole 13 threatened to stop him. But he recovered quickly and scored 15 points for his final five holes, including a great 4 points on hole 15.

In category 1, a countback was needed to separate Oliver Fox (PH7) and Senior Captain Graeme Woodcock (PH8), each returning 20 points. In the end Oliver's par, par finish proved decisive.

A countback was also required in category 2, where Richard Rountree (PH12) and Sean Harvey (PH12) had 20 points.

Once again, it was the last two holes which decided the outcome. Richard parred on the penultimate hole, edging out Sean. Liam Kenny (PH13) had no such concerns in category 3, where his 22 points were comfortably the best score.

Liam had a couple of blips on his card, but each time bounced back immediately. Four-point scores on holes 15 and 18 were the highlights of his round.

Tuesday 26th August 9 Hole Competition (9 Hole Handicaps) - Overall: Peter Burns (13) 23pts; Category 1: Oliver Fox (7) 20pts c/b; Category 2: Richard Rountree (12) 20pts c/b; Category 3: Liam Kenny (13) 22pts.

Mannan Castle Ladies

Intense competition for the final women's major of the year, the Professional's Prize.

Saving the best for last, Marie Finnegan was the final player out on the course, accompanied only by a marker, but finished head and shoulders above the rest, paring eight of the back nine in a performance worthy of the win with 67 nett.

Ali Ellis had the best score at the weekend with another excellent back nine, making up much of her 70 nett for a clear second place.

Only five points separated the next ten places. Best of the rest was Frances Molloy, who is playing her best this summer. Her 72 nett claimed third place on countback.

The Gross prize goes to in-form Jo Morris, who finished on 72 nett. Many thanks to Club Professional Chris Blackmore for the generous prize sponsorship.

Phone or visit Chris in the Pro Shop for all your golfing needs, clubs, clothes, accessories, advice and lessons. https://www.facebook.com/mannan.proshop/

Professional Chris Blackmore's Prize to Ladies 27th August 2025 - 1st Marie Finnegan (11) 67 nett; 2nd Ali Ellis (19) 70 nett; 3rd Frances Molloy (32) 72 c/b; Gross: Jo Morris (19) 72 nett.

Lady Captains' Angela Evers Day Away was an outstanding success, forty-four ladies took to the fairways of Greenore Golf Club, a big thanks to Greenore Golf Club/Greenore Ladies who made us very welcome.

Considering the forecast was for a horrible day (no one cancelled), but somehow most managed to get their round in relatively dry, the sun even tried to come out.

A great day was had by all, some great golf was played, lots of fun and laughs on and off the golf course. Thanks to the restaurant staff for the delicious food. Congratulations to all the winners, who were presented with beautiful prizes.

A big thanks to Lady Captain Angela Evers, who arranged a wonderful day, beautiful prizes,

Lady Captains Day Away – Greenore Thursday 28th August 2025 - 1st Deanna MacGuinness 39pts; 2nd Louise Hanratty 38pts; 3rd Geraldine Finnegan 36pts C/B; 4th Lady Captain Angeola Evers 36pts; 5th Imelda Hanratty 35pts C/B; Front Nine Maureen Crawley 19pts (C/B); Back Nine Brianan Kingham 20pts (c/b).

Golf Ireland quarter-final - On Saturday, 30th August, Mannan hosted the Golf Ireland All-Ireland quarter-final, Jimmy Bruen Team quarter-final teams from Co. Cavan Golf Club, Cushendall Golf Club, Malahide Golf Club, Gowran Park, Lucan Golf Club, Galway Bay Golf Club, Clonakilty Golf Club, Shannon Golf Club.

AIG Minor Foursomes quarter-final teams - Holywood Golf Club, Howth Golf Club, Ballycastle Golf Club, Elm Park, Gort Golf Club, Raffeen Creek GC, Ballyneety GC, Tulfarris GC, Howth GC.

A huge thanks to all the member volunteers who helped make this event run smoothly over the two days, practice day Friday and match day Sunday.

Saturday, the rain bucketed down for most of the day, making golf tough for the quarter finalists and our team of volunteers.

Thanks to Golf Ireland, Order of Malta Dundalk, our PGA Professional Chris Blackmore, chef Navin, bar staff, and our neighbours, who were very understanding of this All-Ireland event taking place.

Everyone was very complimentary regarding the course, especially how well it coped with the heavy rain.

Thanks to our head greenskeeper, John Mc Bride and the course staff and the Mannan “Gangers” (member volunteers who work with our greenkeeping staff). Also, thanks to Patsy Campbell for the use of his field for additional car parking.

A huge thanks to our member volunteers who helped with everything from traffic control, score reporting, giving directions, ball spotting, taking photos, liaising with Golf Ireland, cleaning tables, serving food, sweeping, mopping floors and much more.

Congratulations to all the winning teams. We hope to see you all back on September 19th/20th for the semi-finals and finals.