Golf notes

DUNDALK GOLF CLUB

Fergus O’Callaghan produced the round of his life to win the 2024 Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan Herr and Deborah Herr. 

He shot a four over par 76 to win by two shots from Sean Matthews and three from John Paul Casey with all three shooting in the seventies. O’Callaghan, whose form, by his own admission, had been indifferent in recent weeks, turned it on when it mattered.

He opened with two pars followed by two bogies and a par at the par-three fifth before recording the first of his birdies at the par-five sixth. Two more pars followed before a bogey on the ninth saw him turn in two over par 38.

Pars at the 10th and 12th and a bogey at the 11th followed before another birdie arrived at the par three 13th. After parring 14 and 15, O’Callaghan bogeyed 16 and 17 before clinching victory with a par on the last as he came home in 38 for an overall of 78.

Matthews was just as steady going out in 39 and home in 39 with those two extra bogies the difference between him and O’Callaghan. Vincent Jackson (14) took the nett prize with a 66 while Paul O’Callaghan had a hole-in-one when he nailed his seven-iron tee shot at the 13th.

Billy Curran won the Minor Scratch Cup which was also sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr. He shot 85 after going in out in 40 thanks to four pars and a birdie on the ninth.

He came home in 45 despite starting the back nine with two double bogeys but steadying the ship with three successive pars from the 13th. Curran had one shot to spare after a back surge by Patrick Clarke came up one shot short.

After managing just one par on the front nine as he went out in 48, Clarke charged down the back nine and recorded one birdie and six pars as he came home in 38 for an 86 and second overall with Conor McClenaghan a shot further back in third.

Robert McCaughey (21) shot 67 to win the Nett Prize. On a day of tough playing conditions with persistent rain and wind, Kevin Henry (23) rose to the challenge to claim the overall winner’s prize in the midweek Open Singles Stableford Competition sponsored by McKenna Man with 45 points.

He produced a solid outward nine with five three-pointers that included pars at the first, fifth, and ninth holes to turn on 21 points. He boosted his scoring significantly early on the back nine with a par four at the 11th hole for four points, tagged on another four points with a birdie two at the 13th hole, maintained his consistency with back-to-back three-pointers at the par fours 15th and 16th holes and ended with a brace of two pointers to come home in 24 points.

Paul Hanratty (29) also shot 45 points but had to be satisfied with the Division 3 winner’s prize, losing out because of a weaker back nine. The other divisional winners were Colin Roche (4) and Eugene J Hanratty (12) who both had 37 points.

The Junior Cup team have qualified for the Leinster North final after a 4-1 win over Corballis. There were wins for Odhran MacShane, Conor Murphy and Brian Óg Renaghan and halves for Ciaran Traynor and Clem Walshe.

The Senior Cup came agonisingly close to causing a major upset when they lost 3-2 to Castleknock with the final match being decided on the 22nd tie hole. Having trailed 4-1 halfway through their Leinster North quarter-final at Westmanstown, Dundalk came bouncing back down the back nine.

While Neal MacKell and Ben Cahill both tasted defeat there were wins for Chris Clarke and Joe Laverty to leave the match level at 2-2 as Eoin Murphy headed down the 19th with 2022 Irish Close Champion Quentin Carew with the Castleknock man eventually prevailing on the 22ndhole of an absorbing contest. The Boys Foursomes team’s run also came to an end last week as they lost away to Clontarf.

Saturday, July 6 – Intermediate Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr – Overall: Fergus O'Callaghan 76, Sean Matthews 78, John Paul Casey 79. Nett: Vincent Jackson (14) 66.

Saturday, July 6 – Minor Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr – Overall: Billy Curran 85, Patrick Clarke 86, Conor McClenaghan 87. Nett: Robert McCaughey (21) 67.

Sunday, July 7 - Mixed Foursomes sponsored by O'Callaghan Insurance - Winner: Katherina Conneally Sloan & Laurence O'Hanlon 58.5. Runner up: Miriam & Derek Williams 60.0. Third: Anne McEntegart & David Smyth 63.0.

Sunday, July 7 – Fourball sponsored by McKenna McArdle Solicitors - Nigel Giff & Sean Ward 46pts, Paul Hanratty & Sean Dunne 45/24/16pts, Ray Pepper & Colm Garvey 45/24/15pts.

Wednesday, 10 July - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Kevin Henry (23) 45pts. Division 1: Colin Roche (4) 37pts. Division 2: Eugene J Hanratty (12) 37pts. Division 3: Paul Hanratty (29) 45pts.

Lady Captain Mags Prize - Lady Captain Mags Competition to the ladies was held over two days on Tuesday 9th July and Saturday 13th July 2024 and it was a huge success. The wet weather didn’t dampen the smiles on the first day which saw Lady Captain Mags greet all the ladies going out to play.

The first day saw some terrific scores returned including a 66 from Grainne Mullins and 67 from both Lady Vice Sally McDonnell and Briege Renaghan.

But it was Mary Meegan who held out to be the overall winner taking in scores of 69 respectively on both days to be the outright winner with a fabulous score of 138. Mary was presented with a beautiful necklace from Lady Captain and spoke of her delight on receiving the beautiful prize.

The overall runner up was Grainne Mullins with a fabulous score of 140. Congratulations to Ellen McEneaney who won the overall Gross with a score of 169 over the two days.

Well done also to Lady Vice Captain Sally McDonnell who came third with a score of 141 and Joan Corrigan who came fourth with a score of 142.

Day one, Tuesday, 9th July - Division 1: Winner: Theresa Connolly 69 Net, Gross: Anna Rowland 83 Gross, Runner-up: Elizabeth McGuinness 69 Net (35.5), Third: Bernie Mac Guinness 72 Net. 

Division 2: Winner: Briege Renaghan 67 Net, Runner-up: Mary Laverty 68 Net, Third: Joan McKenna 70 Net.

Division 3: Winner: Susan Morrison 70 Net, Runner-up: Denise Morrison 72 Net, Third: Catherine Hogan Conlon 72 (38) Net.

Ladies 9 Hole – Winner: Anne McEntegart (38.8) (22) 22pts, Runner-up: Deirdre Wilson (39.5) (23) 20pts. Winner front nine: Joanne Lynch 32 Net, Winner back nine:Jacinta Foran 33 Net . Nearest the pin (5TH hole):Criona O’Reilly (6ft 4inches). Nearest the pin: (17th hole)Maura Coyle ( 15ft).

Day two, Saturday, 13th July - Division 1: Winner: Elaine Ward 67 Net, Gross: Katie Rowland 82 Gross, Runner-up: Ruth Connolly 67 (36) Net, Third: Mary Lou Grennan 69 Net.

Division 2: Winner: Gillian Murphy 68 Net, Runner-up: Teresa Matthews 72 Net, Third: Margaret McCourt 72 Net (on Count back).

Division 3: Winner: Nicola Fee 65 Net, Runner-up: Deborah Herr 66 Net, Third: Paula Cahill 68 Net

Ladies 9 hole: Winner: Rita Kelly 24Pts, Runner-up: Anne Crombie 22Pts. Winner front nine: Nuala Henry 33 Net, Winner back nine:Grainne Jevens 31.5 Net. Nearest the pin (5TH hole):Deborah Herr (1Ft 6.5 inches), Nearest the pin: (17th hole)Ellen McEneaney (12Ft 1Inch).

Non- qualifying winner: Margaret Gaughran 65 Net.

MANNAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB

Mannan Castle Men

With an incredible score of 49 points, Kevin Kenna was our overall winner this weekend. Division 1 was won by Andrew Boylan with a score of 39 points. A superb birdie 2 on the first hole got Andrew off to a flyer. Runner-up was Pauric Dowdall with 37pts.

Kieran Crozier won Division 2 with a score of 39 points. With 22pts on the back nine, this was enough for Kieran to beat Gene McEnroe on the count back. Division 3 was won by Arthur Mulholland also on the countback. Arthur shot a score of 38pts. In second place was Kyle Erasmus.

Kyriakos Delkos won Division 4 with a brilliant score of 45 points. Kyriakos played super golf on the back nine, the highlight a birdie on the par 5 15th. Runner-up was Martin McDermott on a great score of 42pts.

Weekend Singles Stableford 6th & 7th July - Overall Winner: Kevin Kenna (PH.21) - 49pts

Division 1: 1st - Andrew Boylan (PH.11) – 39pts, 2nd - Pauric Dowdall (PH,8) – 37pts. Division 2: 1st - Kieran Crozier (PH.16) - 39pts c/b, 2nd - Gene McEnroe (PH.17) – 39pts.

Division 3: 1st - Artur Mulholland (PH.22) - 38pts c/b, 2nd - Kyle Erasmus (PH.18) – 38pts. Division 4: 1st - Kyriakos Delkos (PH.24) – 45pts, 2nd - Martin McDermott (PH.24) - 42pts

Mannan Castle Open

Yet again the elements weren’t in our favour, with windy and showery conditions across both days. The week two winner was Gerry McMahon.

A brilliant two on the first hole on Thursday got Gerry off to a flyer, and he continued it through the 18 holes, posting a brilliant 41 points. Runner-up was Donard McCabe with a score of 39pts. Sean Pierson finished in third place with 38pts.

Summer Series Week 2 4th & 5th July - 1st - Gerry McMahon (PH.19) – 41pts, 2nd - Donard McCabe (PH.21) – 39pts, 3rd - Sean Pierson (PH.12) - 38pts

Mannan Castle Seniors

Twenty-five hardy souls arrived last Tuesday morning for the Mannan Castle Seniors weekly competition. Played over nine holes the scoring was very competitive with four strokes covering half the field.

Out on his own with 20 points was Gerry Smyth. He started well picking up 3 points on each of the first two holes before a no score on his third hole threatened to ruin his card. However, he recovered well and finished without further mishaps to win Category 2.

Category 1 was won by Graeme Woodcock on countback from David MacGuinness with each scoring 19 points. Graeme's victory was thanks to pars on his final three holes.

Liam Kenny won a category for the second successive week. He was carrying a two-shot penalty which reduced his score to 17 points but was still good enough to win on countback from Tom White in Category 3.

Tuesday 9th July 9 Hole Competition (9 hole handicap) - Category 1: Graeme Woodcock (8) 19pts c/b (David MacGuinness), Category 2: Gerry Smyth (11) 20pts, Category 3: Liam Kenny (13) 17pts (19-2) c/b (Tom White)

Mannan Castle Ladies

No less than three birdies on par 3's lit up this week's winning round by Loraine Delkos. Add another four pars on top, and Loraine finished with the marvelous score of 41pts. The sister act of Marie Finnegan and Anne McKenna excelled in the less favourable conditions of Wednesday.

Just the one birdie for Marie but ten pars beefed her score to 38 pts, enough for second place, with Anne coming into a great run of form and finishing in third with 37 pts.

Women's 18H STB sponsored by The Jockeys Bar & Restaurant 10th July 2024 - 1st

Loraine Delkos (16) 41 pts, 2nd Marie Finnegan (14) 38 pts, 3rd Anne McKenna (45) 37 pts. Congratulations Loraine, Marie and Anne, and well played by everyone who took part this week.

Many thanks to this week's kind sponsor The Jockeys Bar & Restaurant, Anne Street, Dundalk: https://www.thejockeys.ie/ Please remember to support the businesses that support Mannan Castle.

A fantastic turnout for this week’s nine-hole competition, weather conditions were perfect for golf on Monday morning. As impressive as the scoring was from our winners, all three scratched one hole. Winner Angela Evers carded a notable five pars finishing with 21 points, to secure first place

Bernice McHugh pipped Anne McKenna on the countback but both feature in the prizes with 19pts. Bernice parred the 3rd hole after Anne birdied the 3rd hole, impressive golf from last year’s ‘Get Into Golf ‘graduates.

Women's Monday 9 Hole Stableford 7th July 2024 - 1st Angela Evers (12) 21 pts, 2nd Bernice McHugh (23) 19 pts c/b, 3rdAnne McKenna (21) 19pts.

Finally, congratulations to Lady Captain Carol McMahon's Hilton Shield Team who won the 2024 Junior Hilton Shield after a fantastic comeback against Clones Golf Club.

Well done, LC Carol McMahon, Eilish Crawley, Imelda Hanratty, Maureen Crawley, and Frances Molloy. The final result after two legs was 5 matches all and it went to holes, and what a comeback in the end the team won by 6 holes.