Tramore set for third Barton Shield success

THE tail-end of Hurricane Katia has made the practice rounds for the Chartis Irish Cups and Shields finals at Castlerock, Co Derry over the past few days more a test of stamina than skill, although it is confidently expected calm will have been restored when the festival gets under way today with the semi-finals of both the Barton Shield and Irish Junior Cup.

Tramore, winners of the Barton Shield, the country’s inter-club foursomes championship, at Killarney in 1992 and Co Sligo in ‘94, look a good bet for a third win in the event. Their line-up of Declan King and Chris Butler and Alan Thomas and David Kiely did well to come through Munster, where they edged out Limerick by one hole in the provincial semi-final before turning in an even more convincing performance in disposing of Bandon by seven holes.

Their semi-final rivals today are Connacht champions Athenry, who have travelled north with their sights set on an unlikely double in the Barton and Pierce Purcell Shields. Their quartet of Mark King and Brian O’Reilly and Michael Lane and David Byrne demonstrated their potential in defeating a very strong Co Sligo side by 4 holes in the western decider.

The unpredictability of the alternate shot game was further demonstrated when Enniscorthy defied all expectation when coming out of the Leinster section and they meet Warrenpoint in the second semi-final. The northern side are more than a little hopeful they can complete a remarkable treble in the Barton Shield, Senior Cup and Jimmy Bruen Shield by the end of the week.

An indication of their intent can be gleaned by the decision to fly Paul Reavey, a hero of their most recent success at Monkstown in 2008, home from New York for the week.

There is every likelihood of a tremendous battle between Ballina and Mitchelstown in the first semi-final in the Junior Cup. Ballina won the title in 2008 at Monkstown but have enjoyed something of a charmed life in qualifying as Connacht champions given they only clinched the 3-2 semi-final win over Co Sligo when Bryan Cox, a key man in the successful side three years ago, came through at the 27th hole.

Interestingly, though, Cox failed to gain a place in the starting line-up for the clash with Mitchelstown.

Mitchelstown are going for their first green pennant and should they maintain the form that saw them dispose of Tralee and Woodstock in the Munster semi-final and final at Clonmel must have every chance of returning with the spoils. They boast a well balanced quintet of John Cahill, Sean Lane, Adrian Gamble, John Maguire and Clem Leonard while the second semi-final involves Lurgan and Co Meath, two clubs also in search of their first national title.

Today’s programme:

Chartis Barton Shield semi-finals. 10:30am: Tramore v Athenry (Tramore names first): C Butler & D King v M King & M Lane; A Thomas & D Kiely v C Waters & D Byrne.

10:50am. Enniscorthy v Warrenpoint (Enniscorthy names first): M Murphy & J Rackard v P Reavey & S Coulter; G Donohoe & J Buckley v R Gribben & C Campbell Jnr.

Irish Junior Cup semi-finals.11.10am, Ballina v Mitchelstown (Ballina names first): J Kelly v J Cahill; L Casey v S Lane; J Doherty v A Gamble; K Lawrence v J Maguire; N Dee v C Leonard.

Noon: Lurgan v Co Meath (Lurgan names first): L McGrady v D Fox; P Shaw v S Fitzgerald; M McSherry v M Gaynor; D Magee v T Lacey; G Hanna v C Blaney.

Castlerock programme:

Tomorrow: Pierce Purcell Shield semi-finals: 8am, Corrstown v Letterkenny; 8.50am Woodstock v Athenry.

Junior Cup final: 11am; Barton Shield final, noon.

Friday: Senior Cup semi-finals: 8.30am Warrenpoint v Co Sligo. 9.20Muskerry v Portmarnock. 10.30: Pierce Purcell Shield final. Jimmy Bruen Shield semi-finals, noon: Forrest Little v Warrenpoint 12.50 Claremorris v Faithlegg.

Saturday: 9am Senior Cup final; 10.30, Jimmy Bruen Shield final.