Grant edges Maguire in play-off thriller to secure Close crown

Lisburn’s Paula Grant staged a magnificent rally and defied gale force winds at Ballybunion yesterday to defeat Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) and capture the Irish Ladies Close Championship for the first time.

The future of ladies golf in Ireland looks in safe hands after four players ranging in age from 15 to 19 qualified for the semi-finals of the national championship in conditions hardly suited to their relative level of inexperience.

Maguire was contesting the final for the fourth time having beaten Mary Dowling at Fota Island in 2009, lost to her twin sister Leona in 2008 at Westport and to Dowling in 2010 at Portstewart.

Maguire beat Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) in yesterday’s first semi-final at the 14th and was joined in the decider by Grant who got home at the 17th against Jessica Carty from Holywood.

Hopes that the velocity of the wind might relent were not realised and the great links presented a mighty challenge for the two young finalists. To their considerable credit, both teenagers struck the ball superbly and provided great entertainment for a large gallery.

It was anticipated that Maguire’s greater experience would prove decisive and that looked likely to be the case when she battled her way into a two-hole lead after 12. However, Grant played the par five 13th and 15th in superb fashion to draw level and the scene was set for a thrilling finish.

The initiative again swung Maguire’s way when she took the 17th to go up the 18th one ahead but she was unable to match a fine par by her opponent.

Both were on the 19th green in three to about 22 feet. Grant duly found the target, Maguire missed, and the title was on its way to Lisburn.

Semi-finals: Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) bt Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies) 5 and 4; Paula Grant (Lisburn) bt Jessica Carty (Holywood) 3 and 1. Final: Grant bt Maguire at 19th. Ita Wallace Trophy final: Mary Sheehy (Tralee) bt Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe).