Cannon wins maiden title

Laytown and Bettystown's Robbie Cannon captured his first amateur major when he beat Cork's Gary O'Flaherty 4 and 3 in the final of the South of Ireland Amateur Open at Lahinch today.

The 30-year-old Dubliner became the first player from the Co Meath club to win a provincial title since Declan Branigan lifted the East, West and Irish Close titles in 1981.

A former Leinster interprovincial, Cannon beat Castletroy's Eamonn Haugh 3 and 1 in the morning semi-finals as 34-year old O'Flaherty defeated his close friend Pat Murray, the reigning Irish Close champion, by 2 and 1.

In the final, Cannon was always in control, winning the second and third to go two up before O'Flaherty cut the deficit with a win at the sixth.

However, Cannon won the eighth and ninth to turn three up and closed out a memorable victory at the difficult, par-four 15th.

His win triggered major celebrations at Laytown and Bettystown, which marks its centenary this year.

Semi-finals:

Robert Cannon (Laytown and Bettystown) bt Eamonn Haugh (Castletroy) 3 and 1; Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) bt Pat Murray (Limerick) 2 and 1.

Final: Robert Cannon v Gary O'Flaherty 4 and 3.