Historic ILGU Irish Senior Cup win for Lahinch

Valerie Hassett and Aedin McCarthy (Joint Team Captains) with the Lahinch Ladies team (from left) Muiriosa Connolly, Sinead Sexton, Aideen Walsh, Aine Donegan, Niamh O'Dwyer, Sarah Cunningham, Olivia Lucas and Valerie Shannon after their victory in the final of the 2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club (25/08/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman

The ladies of Lahinch clinched the Irish Senior Cup for the first time in the club's 126-year history when they beat Elm Park 4.5-0.5 in the All Ireland final at Knock Golf Club in Belfast.

The Co Clare club knocked out Royal Portrush in Friday's quarter-finals before cruising to a 4.5-0.5 win over The Heath to take their place in the decider.

Elm Park has one of the most dynamic young teams in the country, but while they beat both Roscommon and The Island 4-1 to reach the final, an experienced Lahinch quintet was not to be denied.

They boasted no fewer than three past and current Internationals in Aine Donegan, Sarah Cunningham and Sinead Sexton as well as Aideen Walsh and Niamh O’Dwyer, who competed for Munster in the women's and girls' interprovincials earlier this year.

Walsh, who was drawn to play Irish Girls’ Close semi-finalist Emma Fleming, was first to secure a point for the Clare team in the final before Donegan, Cunningham and O’Dwyer followed suit and Lahinch were crowned as All-Ireland Senior Cup champions, 59 years after the men's club achieved the feat.

Lahinch is just the second team from Co. Clare after Ennis in 2007 to claim All-Ireland Senior Cup victory.

2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club

Emma Fleming (Elm Park) driving at the 9th tee during the final of the 2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club today. (25/08/2018) Picture by Pat Cashman

2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club

Lahinch team (from left) Niamh O'Dwyer, Sinead Sexton, Aideen Walsh, Aine Donegan and Sarah Cunningham celebrate their victory in the 2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club today. (25/08/2018) Picture by Pat Cashman

2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club

Leah Temple Lang (Elm Park) reacts to a missed putt on the 14th green during the final of the 2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club today. (25/08/2018) Picture by Pat Cashman

2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club

Aine Donegan (Lahinch) bunkered at the 8th green during the final of the 2018 ILGU Irish Senior Cup at Knock Golf Club today. (25/08/2018) Picture by Pat Cashman

ILGU Irish Senior Cup, Knock GC

Final

Detailed scores 

Elm Park 0.5, Lahinch 4.5 (Elm Park names first)

1. Anna Foster halved with Sinead Sexton 
2. Leah Temple Lang lost to Aine Donegan 5&3
3. Rachel McDonnell lost to Sarah Cunningham 4&3
4. Emma Fleming lost to Aideen Walsh 8&7
5. Emma Thorne lost to Niamh O'Dwyer 5&4

Semi-Finals

The Island 1, Elm Park 4 (The Island names first)

1. L Walsh lost to A Foster 3&2;
2. C Walsh lost to L Temple Lang 3&2;
3. G McMullen lost to R McDonnell 6&5;
4. S Sheehan halved with E Fleming;
5. C Fanning halved with L Mernagh. 

The Heath 0.5, Lahinch 4.5 (The Heath names first)

1. M Doyle lost to S Sexton 2&1;
2. M Dowling lost to A Donegan 4&3;
3. M Doyle lost to S Cunningham 4&2;
4. S Browne halved with A Walsh;
5. C Reilly lost to N O’Dwyer 6&4.

Quarter Finals

Killarney 2, The Island 3 (Killarney names first)

1. V Clancy lost to L Walsh 20th;
2. K Brotherton bt C Walsh 8&7;
3. T Eakin bt G O’Leary 4&3;
4. M Sheehy lost to G McMullen 7&6;
5. A Moynihan lost to Suzy Sheehan 5&3. 

Elm Park 4, Roscommon 1 (Elm Park names first)

1. A Foster bt R Lennon 5&4;
2. R McDonnell bt C O’Connor by 1 Hole;
3. L Temple Lang bt P Quinn 8&6;
4. E Fleming halved with R O’Brien;
5. MF McKenna halved with C Ryan Heward. 

The Heath 3.5, RDCL 1.5 (The Heath names first)

1. M Doyle bt D McVeigh 1 Hole;
2. M Dowling halved with A Ferguson;
3. M Doyle bt K Poots 5&4;
4. S Browne bt M O’Hara 1 Hole;
5. C Reilly lost to A McCaw 5&4. 

Royal Portrush 1.5, Lahinch 3.5 (Royal Portrush names first)

1. L Simpson bt S Sexton 3&2;
2. N Quigg lost to A Donegan 5&3;
3. H Jones lost to S Cunningham 5&4;
4. H Henderson lost to A Walsh 6&4;
5. J Allen halved with N O’Dwyer.

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