Harrington to the Manor born

Charlie Mulqueen, Adare

It wasn’t just because he kept rattling off birdies, eagles and even holed bunker recoveries before shooting a new record round of 63 for a 14-under-par total of 130 that Co Limerick took him to their hearts. Or because he partnered the Charleville Community Care team of Danny Deady and Pat and Mike Potter to the day’s joint-top team prize with an aggregate of 19-under. Or indeed that he more or less made it a clean sweep of the top prizes by landing the team professional prize over the two days. It all meant a bonanza for the Irishman of E240,000.

If anything, the fans appreciated Harrington even more for the manner in which he networked with them throughout the two days, signing autographs so willingly that his pen ran dry after only nine holes on Thursday and he needed “back-up” to to cope with yesterday’s demands.