Mary Elroy and Damien Burke (Portumna) after winning their match on the 20th green for victory in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman
Portumna landed the Irish Mixed Foursomes in dramatic fashion when Damien Burke holed the winning putt at the second extra hole.
Burke partnered Mary McElroy to victory in the decisive match, which went to the 20th, sinking a crucial five-footer to seal the winning point.
“We were just glad to have a chance down the 20th,” said Burke, who looked the calmest person on the course standing over that final putt.
“I tried to focus on the breathing,” he said, explaining his apparent lack of nerves.
“He’s cool as a breeze,” said McElroy. “I was a nervous wreck. I’m so delighted to be here. It was a great win. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if we didn’t win this.”
For McElroy and the team, winning released a mixture of relief and joy. They had two points on the board and were poised for glory when McElroy struck a stunning second shot to set up a winning birdie at the 17th and put Portumna ahead in the key match.
However, they surrendered their advantage down the last as they struggled to find the green and John McMenamin holed a slick six footer to keep the match alive.
By then Ballybofey & Stranorlar had scored a success in match four, Edward Bradley and Margaret McConnell prevailing 3&2, and the momentum shift continued in the bottom leg as Sean Carlin and Josephine Stewart won 3&1.
The final now hinged on match three. McElroy and Burke faced McMenamin and Sharon Maloney in a sudden death scenario that tested nerve as much as skill. At the first extra hole, Portumna spurned a birdie chance to take the tie, prolonging the agony for both sides.
There was more pain for Portumna down the second. Their tee shot went left and stymied by trees, they were forced to pitch out sideways.
“I was so gutted after my drive,” said McElroy. “I just wanted one good swing and I didn’t get it.”
Advantage now rested with Ballybofey & Stranorlar, who were safely down the left hand side, but the mounting tension took its toll and a poor approach opened the door for Portumna.
From beyond the green, McElroy played a delicate pitch that came to rest five feet below the hole. The final was now reduced to a putting contest. McMenamim went first for the Donegal club but his effort slipped by.
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
Sharon Maloney and John McMenamin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) lining up their putt on the 17th green in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
Mary McHugh and Tony Griffen (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) lining up their putt on the 8th green in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
Damien Burke (Portumna) holes the winning putt on the 20th green in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
James McLoughlin (Portumna) celebrates with his caddy Alan Page after winning his match on the 15th green in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
The Ballybofey & Stranorlar Irish Mixed Foursomes team in front (from left) Margaret Hynes (Joint Team Captain), Gerry Driver (Captain, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Golf Club), Joe Blee (President, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Golf Club), Josephine Stewart (Lady Captain, Ballybofey & Stranorlar Golf Club) and Terry Farrell (Joint Team Captain). Team members at back (from left) Mary McHugh, Tony Griffen, Deirdre Duncan, Michael Hynes, Margaret McConnell, Edward Bradley, Sean Carlin, Sharon Maloney, John McMenamin, Dolores Devaney and Freddie Wilson beaten finalists at the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf C
Stephen Madden (Captain, Portumna Golf Club) with Bernie Kilmartin (Lady Captain, Portumna Golf Club) and the Portumna Irish Mixed Foursomes team at back (from left) Alan Page, Anne Fahy, Ger Lynch, Damien Burke, Padric Cahalan, James McLoughlin, Gerard Brehony and Brid Kelly. In front (from left) Mary McElroy, Pat Healy (Joint Team Captain), Pauline McEvoy (Joint Team Captain), Mary Kelly, Rachel Madden and Carmel Cunningham after their victory in the final of the 2018 Irish Mixed Foursomes All Ireland Finals at Milltown Golf Club today (03/10/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman
Burke stepped up for Portumna and the 38-year-old accountant made the moment count, rolling it home from five feet, bringing this cliffhanger to conclusion and delivering a second green pennant for his club, who had previously won the Irish Mixed Foursomes at Bandon in 2009.
“Absolutely fantastic,” was how Pauline McEvoy, joint team captain, described it. “Damien Burke’s nerves of steel carried it for us.”
McElroy’s contribution could not be overstated. The 38-year-old spent the summer recovering from back surgery. A central bulging disc kept her out of golf, and in pain, for the best part of a year. Tuesday’s semi-final win against Lee Valley was her first match of this campaign.
“I was in an awful lot of pain for a long time,” McElroy revealed. “I didn’t play any golf since October last year. I’m so passionate about it. I’m so glad I was able to do that for the team. It was a big decision for Pat [Healy – joint team captain] to pick me on the panel.”
Despite her long absence from the game, her confidence never wavered and she was able to draw on her experience from 2009, when Portumna last won the Irish Mixed.
“I knew that I had it in me because I’ve been here before,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to do them proud.”
Her partner off the course, Ger Lynch, was another member of the 2009 team and he too played his part on this occasion, combining with Bernie Kilmartin, 4&3, for Portumna’s second point of the day. James McLoughlin and Rachel Madden had got the ball rolling for the Galway side with a 5&3 win at the top of the order.
After such a convincing start, they could not have imagined the ending would be so complicated.
Irish Mixed Foursomes
All-Ireland Final, Milltown Golf Club, Dublin
Portumna 3 Ballybofey & Stranorlar 2
(Portumna names first)
J McLoughlin (0) & R Madden (22) beat T Griffen (8) & M McHugh (15) 5&3;
G Lynch (6) & B Kilmartin (19) beat F Wilson (10) & D Devaney (11) 4&3;
D Burke (4) & M McElroy (17) beat J McMenamin (8) & S Maloney (18) 20th;
P Cahalan (12) & A Fahey (13) lost to E Bradley (14) & M McConnell (10) 3&2;
G Brehony (14) & M Kelly (13) lost to S Carlin (10) & J Stewart (19) 3&1.
from News - Irish Golf Desk https://ift.tt/2Rp1Fip
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