Trio must put nostalgia trip to one side

THIS morning’s clash ofDouglas and Laytown &Bettystown in the semi-final of the Irish Ladies SeniorCup at Cork Golf Clubwill evoke a deep sense ofnostalgia for members of both clubs.

Back in 1981, at Royal Waterloo near Brussels, Ireland captured the European Team Championship, captained by Ann Heskin of Douglas.

The team included another Douglas lady, Eavan Higgins, and the Laytown & Bettystown sisters Carol and Phil Wickham.

Higgins and the Wickhams are all still playing great golf and will have key roles in deciding which club is to reach this afternoon’s final.

Yesterday’s quarter-finals were one-sided affairs, evenif the win for Douglas over Carlow wasn’t quite asemphatic as might first appear to be the case.

The top two matches were especially close and Karen O’Neill and Eavan Higgins needed to go to the 19th and 18th respectively before disposing of Aedin Murphy and Karen Delaney. O’Neill holed an eagle chip at the first extra hole to prevail while Higgins had to put all her experience and competitive qualities to the test as she came from four down to win on the final green.

Laytown & Bettystown were never going to be troubled by Slieve Russell once the Cavan side were deprived of the services of Lisa and Leona Maguire because of their involvement in the British Girls Championship at Royal Belfast.

However, they can expect a much tougher battle this morning when the semi-final opposition is provided byRoyal Portrush, who remain on course for their 24th title having overcome a spirited challenge from Wexford.