Loughrea win All-Ireland

Galway’s Loughrea GAA club were crowned winners of the 15th annual All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge at Waterford Castle Golf Club.

Led by former Galway defender Greg Kennedy, the club saw off the challenge of Clare outfit Clooney-Quin to claim the title, which was won last year by Louth’s Stabannon Parnells. Having held the overnight joint lead in the two-day four person fourball competition with Clooney-Quin and Ballygunner, with 88 points, the partnerships of Kennedy and Ger Lynch along with Eamon Dervan and former Galway senior selector Mattie Kenny sealed the victory with impressive displays on Saturday.

Former GAA president and current MEP Sean Kelly was joined by Kilkenny legend Eddie Keher and Kilkenny hero DJ Carey to present the Waterford Crystal replica of the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Kennedy on Saturday.

Each of the four winners received All-Ireland gold medals as well as a voucher for a night’s stay in Waterford Castle and their partners along with golf. Also, as a result of the win, Loughrea GAA club will benefit from a training camp in the Derg Isle team building centre in Scarriff.

* RESULTS: 1. Loughrea (Galway) 168 points; 2. Clooney-Quin (Clare) 162 pts. Munster: Fr O’Neill’s (Cork). Leinster: Kilmacow (Kilkenny). Ulster: Castlederg (Tyrone). Connacht: Geevagh (Sligo).