Castletroy, Tramore, and Headfort join AIG Cups and Shields winners

Susan Reilly and her caddy Kathleen Curtis (Headfort) celebrate their victory in the AIG Challenge Cup Final at Dundalk Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Not even rain and high winds could dampened the spirits of the players and supporters who flocked to Dundalk as Castletroy, Tramore, and Headfort completed the sextet of AIG Ladies Cups and Shields champions for 2016

The players rewarded spectators and supporters with great golf in all categories and it was telling that three of the six clubs who captured the national pennants — Ballinrobe, Tramore and Headfort — had the added benefit of playing in the quarter-finals.

2016 AIG Ladies Cups and Shields – National Champions

• Senior Foursomes — Royal Portrush
• Junior Foursomes —Tramore 
• Junior Cup — Castletroy 
• Intermediate Cup — Portumna 
• Minor Cup — Ballinrobe 
• Challenge Cup — Headfort

Castletroy Golf Club Junior Cup team (from left) Eimear Costello, Leonie Campbell, Ethna Leonard, Fiona Corbett and Sarah Vaughan celebrate their victory in the AIG Junior Cup at Dundalk. Picture by Pat Cashman

Castletroy take Junior Cup

Castle were hoping to add an All-Ireland Junior Cup title to the men’s Junior Cup title but it was not to be as Castletroy proved too strong in the final.

Just as they did for Wexford in the semi-final, the Limerick ladies were hugely impressive and denied Castle a second consecutive AIG All-Ireland pennant by 4-1. 

Castletroy’s Fiona Corbett secured a 3&2 win in the top game, Ethna Leonard swiftly followed with a 5&4 victory and Sarah Vaughan triumphed over Ger Moran 5&4 before the other two matches were called in.

It’s Castletroy’s third AIG All-Ireland title following their 2009 Challenge Cup and 2013 Junior Foursomes wins.

Castletroy Golf Club Junior Cup team with their supporters celebrate their victory in the AIG Junior Cup at Dundalk Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

AIG Junior Cup Final

Castletroy 4 Castle 1

1. Fiona Corbett (8) beat Aly Doyle (7) 3&2
2. Leonie Campbell (8) halved with Amy Jones (8) (called in)
3. Ethna Leonard (8) beat Deirdre Hoey (8) 5&4
4. Sarah Vaughan (9) beat Ger Moran (10) 5&4
5. Eimear Costello (10) halved with Martha Jones (12) (called in)

Mary Cantwell (Tramore) pitching to the 15th green in the AIG Junior Foursomes Final, Picture by Pat Cashman

Tramore win AIG Junior Foursomes

Having seen off Belvoir Park and Cahir Park to reach the final, Tramore edged out Castlebar 2.5-0.5 to become AIG All-Ireland Junior Foursomes Champions for the first time.

Tramore took the lead in the first match through six holes and maintained it to the finish as Mia Maughan and Colette Palmer secured a 3&2 win over Ann Gallagher and Marian Martyn. 

Tramore dominated the final game from the off and despite a comeback from Castlebar’s Margaret Tighe and Bernie Burke, the partnership of Mary Cantwell and Rachel Mulcahy refused to give in and triumphed by 3&1. 

The middle match saw  Lucia Ahearn O’Flaherty and Sarah Howard finish all-square after 18 holes with Breda Gilvarry and Regina Ker.

Tramore win AIG Junior Foursomes. Picture by Pat Cashman

AIG Junior Foursomes Final

Castlebar ½ Tramore 2 ½

1. Ann Gallagher & Marian Martyn (36) lost to Mia Maughan & Colette Palmer (36) 3&2
2. Breda Gilvarry & Regina Kerr (37) halved with Lucia Ahearn O’Flaherty & Sarah Howard (37)
3. Margaret Tighe & Bernie Burke (38) lost to Mary Cantwell & Rachel Mulcahy (39) 3&1

Mary Bowler (Headfort) holes the winning putt on the 16th green for victory in the AIG Challenge Cup Final. Picture by Pat Cashman

Headfort triumph in Challenge Cup

Ballybunion overcame Co. Armagh in the semi-final of the AIG Ladies Cups and Shields Challenge Cup but they did not pose a threat to Headfort whp won 4.5-0.5 in the final. 

The Galway team kept the Connacht flag flying as number one Headfort player, Oonagh Clarke concluded her match on the 14th. Susan Reilly secured the win one hole later with a substantial 4&3 victory and with the final three matches all in favour of Headfort, they only required one last point. 

This came from Patricia Tyrrell as she defeated Tess Noonan 6 and 5 to send the trophy to Co Meath.

Headfort win Challenge Cup. Picture by Pat Cashman

AIG Challenge Cup Final

Ballybunion ½ Headfort 4 ½

1. Mary Hickey Keane (28) lost to Oonagh Clarke (27) 5&4
2. Margaret McAuliffe (28) lost to Susan Reilly (28) 4&3
3. Elva Clancy (30) lost to Mary Bowler (30) 4&2
4. Dori Cotter (33) halved with Ita Cribbin (31) (called in)
5. Tess Noonan (34) lost to Patricia Tyrrell (31) 6&5

Rachel Mulcahyl (Tramore) holes her putt on the 6th green in the AIG Junior Foursomes Final at Dundalk Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

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