Magical McGeady steals the show for North West
McGeady is a powerfully built man and as tough as they come but on this special occasion he was unable to conceal his emotions.
He won all his six matches in the campaign and had great bond with all his amateur teammates. However, everything is about to change today - he is at St Annes Old Links preparing for the European Tour first pre-qualifier starting tomorrow. Qualify or not, there will be no turning back for, regardless, he will join the professional ranks.
Fifteen North West supporters made the 12 hour return journey from Donegal to the other end of the country to support their team. In contrast, Hermitage packed the place and there was a touch of David and Goliath about the scenario. However, it was the underdogs who prevailed with key men McGeady and British Amateur champion Brian McElhinney winning their respective matches against Greg Massey and Greg Bowden on the 16th green. However, Hermitage were quickly on terms when Brian O'Connor claimed the top match against Paul Van Dessell and Alan Dowling proved too consistent for Pauric O'Flaherty.
North West's hopes rested on anchorman Garrett Mallon and once again he came up trumps, recovering from one down with four to play against Sean O'Flaherty to draw level at the 15th, move in front at the 17th and then retain his advantage courtesy of the bravest of six foot birdie putts at the long 18th. The cue for riotous celebration from the Donegal contingent while Hermitage, seeking their first Blue Ribband since 1926, were left to drift sadly away.
While McGeady was unable to put his feelings into words, McElhinney spoke for everybody when he described Garrett Mallon (a brother of former Ulster and Northampton centre Seamus and professional golfer Conor) as "a great last man. He won all his six matches at number five and was really the hero of the side."
Maybe so, but the Amateur champion himself proved an inspirational figure on final day as he shot seven birdies and was still brought to the 16th by Bowden, who himself played some magnificent golf and holed two particularly big putts on the 14th and 15th only to somehow manage to take three from fifteen feet at the 16th to lose the match.
McElhinney, who was 23 on Saturday, will remain in the amateur game at least until at least next April when he plays in the US Masters at Augusta as a reward for his British Amateur Championship success.
As for Garrett Mallon, he must instead return to the family Ford car dealership in Derry but he will look back on two great days at Rosslare when he steered North West through in both the semi-final and final.
"I have never experienced pressure like that," he admitted. "It told at the 18th where I hit a massive drive that left me with only a seven iron to the green. I missed it well to the right but I'm very proud at how I got the chip to within six feet and sank the putt. I never expected anything like this. We are all the best of friends and go out together at weekends. This is great for my caddie, Vincent Grant, one of the team managers along with Frankie Friel."
North West duly provided Ulster with their fourth green pennant of the Bulmers festival, leaving Malahide in the Jimmy Bruen Shield as the one club capable of depriving the north of a grand slam. They had a totally unexpected clearcut victory over Ballybunion to capture the title for the second time in four years. It meant second medals for Joe Cuffe, Denis Gaffney, Gerry Dowdall and Noel Rogers while team captain Paul Cullen was also a member of the successful side in Galway in 2002.
Ballybunion collapsed on the day, their woes best demonstrated by Edward Stack and Dominic Moriarty who were unbeaten in their previous seven matches. This time, they never got going and were walloped 6 and 5 by Gaffney and Barry Hughes.
Malahide captured their other two points at the 14th and 15th so there was no questioning their superiority on the day.
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