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.

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.

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