O’Driscoll blitzes Grant to take title
O’Driscoll, who had earlier beaten fellow international Patrice Delaney (Birr) by 3&2 in the semi-final, was in devastating form in the afternoon session and inflicted a 7&6 defeat on Grant to claim the crown.
It comes on the back of a remarkable season for O’Driscoll, who collected the Connacht Women’s and Girls’ Championships as well as the Leinster Girls’ Championship and also finished runner-up at the Munster Women’s and Girls’ Championships earlier in the year.
A delighted O’Driscoll admitted last night: “It is definitely the biggest win of my career. I knew I would have stiff competition but I was confident I had a good chance without being overly confident.”
The 17-year-old Cork native continued: “I played Patrice in the semi-final, it was the third time we’ve met in the last month or so. I beat her in the Leinster championships and she beat me in Munster! So there was a bit of revenge going on there.”
In the final she face Lisburn’s Grant who defeated Sarah Murray (Co Louth) 1up in the other semi-final.
“I got in quickly, kept it going and played very good golf. I am delighted that I pulled it off.”
There was more delight for O’Driscoll afterwards when she was named in the Irish team for the Girls home internationals in Fairhaven.
“I’m over the moon with that,” she agreed. “Those internationals are next on the agenda and I’m really looking forward to continuing my form into that.”
But before she turned her attentions to her country, she admitted there was some celebrating to be done.
“I’m heading down to Ballybunion now and hopefully we will have a bit of a party there.”
The final of the Plate produced a similar result with Jessica Carty (Holywood), the leading qualifier of the tournament, producing some excellent golf to beat Terri Byrne (Coollattin) by a margin of 6&5.
Meanwhile, the Irish team for the Girls Home Internationals in Fairhaven was finalised after the event last night.
Irish Team for the Girls Home International Matches, Fairhaven GC: P Delaney (Birr); P Grant (Lisburn); S Helly (Enniscrone); L McCarthy (Muskerry); Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell); Lisa Maguire(Slieve Russell); E O’Driscoll (Ballybunion); C Reynolds (Seapoint).
Reserves in order: T Gribben (Warrenpoint); S Murray (Co. Louth); S L Winter (Carnalea) Captain: S Keane (The Curragh). Manager: M Dowling (New Ross) *Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) unavailable for selection due to her qualifying for the US Amateur Championship.
