Historic All-Ireland title for Kinsale women

The Cork club defeated Dun Laoghaire in the AIG Women’s Junior Foursomes at Shandon Park in Belfast.

The Kinsale team celebrate after winning the AIG Junior Foursomes All-Ireland final in Belfast

Some words of encouragement from a young club legend inspired Kinsale to victory over Dun Laoghaire in the AIG Women’s Junior Foursomes at Shandon Park in Belfast.

Niamh Mason and Helena O’Sullivan won the top match and final, beating Lillian O’Brien and Liz Murphy on the second extra hole, after the other two matches in the final were shared.

And Mason admitted that some advice from a hometown hero and Walker Cup star were a welcome boost.

“John Murphy sent us a message last night at dinner. We were delighted with it and were thinking about his words throughout the day."

O’Sullivan added that the win will be a major boost for the female players in the club.

“It’s the first time our women have ever won an All-Ireland title. It’s huge for us. The lads won the Jimmy Bruen a few years ago. We haven’t come close before. It’s only the start for us though.” 

It was a busy day of action in Belfast with two other AIG Cups and Shields titles decided.

Elm Park defeated Moate in the Men’s Barton Shield, with both matches being won by five holes, to give the Dublin 4 club a resounding win.

The champions had to defeat The Island in the morning to advance, with Portumna falling to Moate in the other semi-final.

Elm Park team captain Niall O’Connor said the win caps off a fine period for the club, after they recently won the AIG Women’s Senior Cup too.

“It’s been a tremendous few weeks for the club. That Women’s team inspired us coming into the week. We haven’t won many green pennants in the club’s history. This group of lads have been playing for 20 years together. The camaraderie is great between them, and they deserve this win!” Dun Laoghaire were crowned AIG Women’s Senior Foursomes champions, after a 2½ to a ½ win over Limerick in the week’s final event.

Caroline Hewitt and Laura Ryan beat Fiona McGann and Ann O’Mahony 2&1 in the final match to win the title for the club.

“We had an idea it would come down to us when we got to the last three holes”, Hewitt said after the win. “There was full belief in what we could do”, added Ryan. “We have not lost a match together in three seasons together. We have had a lot of matches come down to us, and we felt confident.” The AIG Cups and Shield Finals conclude next week in Limerick GC with the AIG Women’s Intermediate Cup, the AIG Men’s Pierce Purcell Shield, the AIG Women’s Junior Cup and the AIG Men’s Junior Cup all set to be played to conclusion.