Coughlan makes strong bid to regain her international place
Even allowing for a shortened fifth hole (due to recent rains), the performance by the plus two handicapper from Cork Golf Club was one of sheer brilliance as she beat the par of 75 by four shots this despite running up bogeys at the third and seventh.
Coughlan, bidding to regain her international place, got off to a great start with birdies at the first two holes and she also bettered par at the fifth to reach the turn in one under 36.
Seven straight pars followed before a blistering finish saw her home in 35. A drive, seven wood and 20 foot putt reduced the par five 17th to a three and she finished in style with another birdie at the last.
Coughlan's performance was the major talking point on a day which saw the East Cork trio of Irene Rafferty, Mary B Walsh and Ann Morrissey retain their trophy.
They scored a nett 232 seven ahead of runners-up Mitchelstown, represented by Orla Lee, Ursula Dolan and Emma Hanley.
Thirty-nine clubs participated and a highlight of the day was the hole-in-one by Tipperary player Sadie Conroy at the 15th.
East Cork came close to making it a cup double when they finished runners-up to Limerick in the junior event played at Limerick.
The winners had Ailish Diliger, Brenda Moloney and Ann Bradshaw on duty and the East Cork line up was Mairead Ní Mhurchú, Caroline O'Connor and Liz Williams.
Meanwhile, in the District final of the Australian Spoons there was a win for the Muskerry pairing of Marie Allen (12) and Bridie Casey (15) who compiled 39 points at Kilrush to win by one from Kilkee representatives Anne O'Leary and Ann Bradshaw.
The gross prize went to the Harbour Point pairing of Mary McGough and Eileen Walsh.
In men's golf, Lee Valley meet Monkstown this evening (4.30) at Douglas in the South Munster Bruen Shield decider, whilst at Muskerry tomorrow the semi-finals of the South Munster Barton Shield are down for decision.
Here, Bandon play Douglas and Fermoy take on Cork.
