Dundalk Golf Notes: Sally McDonnell secures PGA Tankard

Caolan Rafferty finished seventh in the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open at The Island last weekend having led at the halfway stage.

Having carded rounds of 69 and 68 over the first two rounds, Rafferty fell down the leaderboard after a 76 in the weather-delayed third-round. But he climbed back up on the final day with a 73 to finish six shots behind winner John Gough of England.

Rafferty’s former Dundalk team-mate Brendan Lawlor claimed the first ever G4D Open at Woburn as he finished on +3 to edge out England’s Kipp Popert by just two shots. The win also moved Brendan to No.1 in the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability.

Chris Connolly won the singles Stableford competition which was held over the first weekend in May. Playing off 16 he shot a superb score of 41pts to win by one point from Gerry Campbell (27) thanks to a fabulous performance down the back nine.

Connolly had turned for home on 17pts after a front nine that had featured a run of three successive pars from the fourth which had yielded eight points.

After starting the back nine with a one-point return from the par five 10th, he moved up a gear with a three-point par at the 11th, a four-point birdie at the 12th, a three-point par at the 13th and a three-point birdie at the 14th.

That 13pts haul from four holes threw him right into contention, but he still needed a four-point birdie three at the last to pip Campbell for the overall prize. The competition was also a qualifier for the Harry Walsh Cup, a singles matchplay competition for high handicappers.

Campbell, in finishing second overall to Connolly, led the 16 qualifiers home with a superb score of 40pts which included three-point pars at the second, fifth and 13th and three-point bogeys at the eighth, 12th and 16th.  Campbell will now face Brian Whately in the first round of the Harry Walsh Cup.

The Division 1 honours went to Peter Durnin (6) whose 39pts saw him edge out John Sharkey (6) by one point, while Brendan Reilly (15) claimed Division 2 with 37pts to Sean Og Cairn’s (16) 36pts.

Campbell added the Division 3 top prize to his leading qualifier accolade, with his 40pts just one more than Barry Connolly (22) managed.

On the inter-club scene, the JB Carr team lost by 7.5 to 2.5 to Greenore while the Provincial Towns Cup team beat Bellewstown to advance to the next round.

Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7 – Singles Stableford and Harry Walsh Cup Qualifier – Overall: Chris Connolly (16) 41pts. Division 1: Peter Durnin (6) 39pts,  2nd John Sharkey (6) 38pts.

Division 2: Brendan Reilly (15) 37pts,  2nd Sean Og Cairns (16) 36pts. Division 3: Gerry Campbell (27) 40pts,  2nd Barry Connolly (22) 39pts. Gross: Ciaran Johnston 32pts.

Harry Walsh Cup First Round Draw

Colm Coburn v Patrick Greene, Sean Og Cairns v Cormac Malone, Brian Whately v Gerry Campbell, Sean O’Sullivan v John McKenna, Andrew Cumiskey v Derek Williams, Noel McGuinness v Barry Connolly, Tony Ryan v Peter Cunningham, Simon Ryan v Laurence Hanratty (First rounds to be completed by June 5th).

Wednesday, May 10 - Deluxe Bathrooms Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Stephen English (9) 40pts. Division 1: Conall Murdock (3) 38pts. Division 2: Matthew McCaughey (14) 39pts. Division 3: Ross Kehoe (23) 38pts. Gross Recognition: Conor Curran 34pts.

Rás Táilteann set for another thrilling finish in Blackrock

The latest Louth GAA Fixtures: May 19th-21st

DUNDALK LADIES

Sally McDonnell was the winner of the PGA Tankard, played on Saturday May 6th and Tuesday May 9th. This was very kindly sponsored by Haggardstown Garden Centre.

Sally returned a superb 39 points to claim the title. This was three points ahead of her nearest rival, Mags Coburn, who was the winner of Division 1. Geraldine Minogue was the winner of Division 2 and Oonagh Quinn was the winner of Division 3, both of whom returned a score of 35 points.

Sally now goes forward to represent the club, along with the men’s winner, at the regional finals later this year. Congratulations to all the prize winners and many thanks to Haggardstown Garden Centre for their sponsorship.

In interclub news, the Revive Active team had a great win over Greenore last weekend. The Carton Cup team won two of the five matches away in Ardee, with the return leg yet to be played.

In the Challenge Cup Dundalk face Skerries. The North Leinster Mixed side are on a collision course with Killeen Castle and The Senior Mixed team face Seapoint. Best of luck to all involved.

Saturday May 6 and Tuesday May 9  - PGA Tankard Singles Stableford sponsored by Haggardstown Garden Centre - Overall: Sally McDonnell (24) 39pts. Division 1: Mags Coburn (20) 36pts, 2nd Brid Rocks (20) 35pts, 3rd Elaine Ward (15) 34pts.

Division 2: Geraldine Minogue (27) 35pts, Maeve Ahern (26) 34pts, Catherine Duff (28) 34pts. Division 3: Oonagh Quinn (32) 35pts, Dara Murphy (47) 34pts, Colette McCrory (32) 34pts. 9 Hole Competition: 1st Jennifer Holland 19pts,  2nd Noeleen Heneghan 18pts.