Cork and Sligo dream of double

There are dreams of a notable double in Cork and Co. Sligo at this week’s AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields National finals but both clubs are determined to focus solely on the task at hand as the Barton Shield semi-finals get under way at Royal Tara Golf Club in Meath today.

Not since 2000 has a club won both the Barton Shield and the blue riband Senior Cup in the same year and both Cork GC and Co. Sligo are aiming to emulate Shandon Park’s feat of 13 years ago. There is plenty of incentive for both clubs with the Connacht champions from Rosses Point having achieved the double in both 1996 and 1997 while Munster pennant holders Cork would cap the 125th anniversary of their club’s founding in fine style with a twin victory this week.

Cork captain Vincent Twohig, who manages a side spearheaded by 1998 All-Ireland Senior Cup winner Gary O’Flaherty, will not, however, let his players get too far ahead of themselves ahead of a tough Barton Shield semi-final this morning against Ulster champions Clandeboye, the foursomes competition decided by the aggregate scores of two pairings.