Cooney drives Munster on
It was their first success in the series since Co Louth in 2007.
Irish-American Kevin Phelan took five points out of a possible six and all over looked the class act that one would expect of a golfer who qualified for the US Open three years ago and was a member of last year’s Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad. But each member of the side played a significant part in an unexpected but well deserved success.
Ulster had dropped only 4½ points in their previous two outings against holders Connacht and Leinster, but were in trouble early on yesterday when Munster took a 3-1 lead in the foursomes. Waterford pair Kevin Phelan and Alan Thomas again came good in beating Reeve Whitson and Harry Diamond by 3 and 2.
Ian O’Rourke and Gary Hurley also won at the 16th against Chris Selfridge and Matt McAlpin and Munster’s third point came from Pat Murray and Geoff Lenehan, who got home 2 and 1 against Michael Sinclair.
It was evident from an early stage of the singles that Niall Gorey, O’Rourke, Gary O’Flaherty and Murray were in trouble and that Munster in all probability needed to win each of the other three matches on the course if they were to regain the title.Teenager Hurley (a member of the Munster team that captured the Junior championship 12 months ago) again displayed commendable maturity in claiming a crucial 18th green win over Diamond, winner of the West of Ireland Championship last Easter.
Phelan again came up trumps in beating Selfridge, the current Irish Close and North of Ireland champion 2 and 1 before Geoff Lenehan justified his inclusion in the side in the biggest way possible with a 2 hole defeat of Derek McElroy. And then, to put the icing on the cake for captain Cooney, O’Flaherty staged a magnificent fight back to pip Colm Campbell on the final green and clinch a famous Munster triumph 7 matches to 4.
Leinster won the Boys Championship with Ulster second and Munster third.
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