Cleary’s experience pays off for hat-trick

TOM CLEARY birdied the first tie hole at Doneraile last evening to win a hat-trick of senior scratch cup successes at the County Cork club.

Cleary, Tim O’Mahony of Mallow and Thomas O’Keeffe of the host club had finished level on 68 before the vastly experienced Fermoy player ended the play-off in style.

John Boyle of Doneraile finished fourth on 69, clubmate Jim O’Keeffe scooped the top nett prize with a 65.

Tim O’Mahony had to settle for second spot also the previous day, when Doneraile’s Finbarr O’Mahony, with two rounds of 73, won the 36 holes Mallow Scratch Cup.

Cork’s Gary O’Flaherty, the first round leader on 69, had to settle for third spot following a disappointing 77 in the afternoon. Other prizewinners: Gross 1st 18 Dan Sugrue, Killarney; gross 2nd 18 Ronan Twomey, Muskerry; overall nett Brian O’Riordan, Muskerry 143, 2 Colin O’Donoghue, Youghal, 143.

Muskerry’s Paddy Harrington has got his first call up to international duty by winning a place on the Irish Seniors team for the Home Internationals at Nairn on October 1/3.

A runner-up spot in the Leinster Seniors Championship last week sealed the place for the Corkman who had also performed consistently in the other provincial championships.

The team members are: Sean Coyne Killarney, Tom Fox County Louth, Frank Gannon Skerries, Harry McKinney European Club, Gerry O’Keeffe Waterford and Bob Wallace Spa.

At Balbriggan on Saturday, County Louth celebrated an impressive victory in the Irish Ladies Senior Golf Cup final, beating Douglas in the decider.

Deirdre Smith, Oonagh Purfield and Jennifer Gannon gained the crucial points over the Cork ladies who had shared in the day’s excitement following a tremendously exciting semi-final victory over Royal County Down.

Here the issue went to tie holes as, after Kate McCann had got the better of Emma Dickson at the 17th, Ailish Thompson levelled the match with a 19th hole triumph over Jill McAuley and it was left to Aoife Lane to seal it for Douglas in a marathon tie. The match went all the way to the 24th before Lane saw off the challenge of Vicki McWilliams.

Co Louth ousted Kilkenny in the semi-final with Eileen Rose Power being the only success story for the losers.

Meanwhile, Mary McKenna (Donabate) will defend her Irish Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Baltray next Monday and Tuesday (Sept 16/17). Irish competitors include Valerie Hassett (Ennis), Jane Allen (Royal Portrush), Eileen MacMullen (Donegal) and Mary Madden (Ballinasloe).

The Championship entry has a strong international presence, with competitors from USA, Canada, Scotland, England, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark.

The Championship, which will be decided over 36 holes stroke with 18 holes being played each day, is sponsored by the Vilamoura Promotion Bureau, which promotes a range of holidays including golf packages to Vilamoura in Portugal.

Matthew Blackey ended five years without a tour victory when he won the Formby Hall Challenge on Merseyside.

A closing 67 for 275 and 13 under par left him a shot ahead of fellow Englishman David Dixon, who returned 71, and Ireland’s Damien McGrane, who came up on the rails with 65.

The tournament was in McGrane’s hands as he raced through the field to lead on 13 under with three to play.

But his drive found the water on the par five 18th and led to a bogey six.

A year ago the 31-year-old Irishman led by three going into the final day only to shoot 76 and finish third.