Killarney claim title with easy win over Limerick

AFTER their narrow escape against holders Douglas in the quarter-final, Killarney’s dominance in the Suzuki Southern District Ladies Senior Cup final was never in doubt as they ran out the easiest of winners against Limerick at Castletroy yesterday.

Mary Sheehy and Margaret Hayes won out the country against Mary Conlon and Patricia Fitzgibbon respectively and it was left to Bridget Gleeson Healy to seal the title with a four and three win over Grainne D’Alton.

Limerick, appearing in the final for only the second time - they were runners-up last year as well to Douglas, made a promising enough start but they were unable to contain a Killarney side that had far greater experience following a four-in-a-row achievement in this come petition in recent years.

Sheehy, despite knocking down a few drives, was in devastating form from the sixth onwards and never allowed Condon a chance before the pair shook hands on the 14th green.

Hayes ended it a hole earlier against Fitzgibbon, having been on song from the word go.

She raced four ahead after five; this was increased to six after 11, and there was no way back for the Limerick lady after that.

Gleeson Healy won a great battle against Dalton and there was little in it in the outward half.

The Killarney player went one clear after 11 and this was the signal for better things to come as she won the 12th in par, the 13th in birdie.

She ended the contest in dramatic fashion with a delightful chip and putt as her opponent took three putts.

Mary Geaney was two clear against Pat Niland when called in after 12 but Limerick will take some satisfaction in that St. Nessan’s leaving certificate student Catherine Tucker was one to the good in the clash with Ann Ladd when this tie was also declared a half at the 15th.

Tucker made the best start of all the Limerick players and held a one hole lead after five, only to see the Killarney lady, with wins in par at the eight and birdie at the ninth, reverse the fortunes.

Tucker responded well, however, to take the 12th and 13th to jump ahead again but by then the destination of the trophy had been decided.

In the morning semi-finals, Killarney had a 4-1 triumph over Tipperary while Limerick accounted for Clonmel 3-2 with the all important point being secured by Patricia Fitzgibbon at the 19th against Catherine Morrissey.

When it came to tie holes, however, nothing could compare with the drama of the Killarney Douglas match

on Tuesday - a contest described by all observers as the most exciting encounter in the history of the competition.

Only Mary Sheehy with a two and one success over Ailish Thompson, won in normal time as the other four matches went to the 19th and beyond.

Bridget Gleeson Healy got Killarney’s second point with an 19th hole win over Eavan Higgins; Kate McCann and Aoife Lane levelled matters with dramatic 20th hole successes over Ann Ladd and Margaret Hayes respectively and it was left to sporting all-rounder, Mary Geaney to bring an epic encounter to a finale with a 19 hole triumph over Mary Mackey.

Killarney will now represent Munster in the Suzuki All-Ireland series.