Walsh seals surprise Kilkenny win

WINNING All-Ireland titles comes easily to some parts of the country, and Kilkenny were at it once again in glorious conditions at Tullamore yesterday.

This time it was the turn of the Kilkenny Golf Club to capture the national limelight – and their first national pennant by beating Banbridge in the final of the Bulmers Barton Shield by a one-hole margin.

A team captained by three-time South of Ireland champion Paraic O’Rourke upset the odds in a thrilling contest that wasn’t decided until Richie Walsh holed the winning putt on the final green. Earlier this year, Kilkenny also won the Suzuki Irish Ladies Senior Cup.