Pierce Purcell and Junior Cup Leinster finals prove very exciting

The Leinster Finals of the Irish Junior Cup and Pierce Purcell Shield which were held over our course last weekend proved very exciting affairs, with some top class golf and very close matches to entertain those who were spectating.The finals of both were especially enthralling, particularly the Junior Cup, which was won by The Castle Golf Club, who won by the odd match against Enniscorthy, with three out of the five matches going down the nineteenth hole in the provincial final. The Pierce Purcell event had a sizeable local interest with our near neighbours, Moate contesting the final against Corrstown and, alas, losing out in a very close and entertaining encounter. The National finals of those and all the Cups and Shields take place in September in Tullamore Golf Club.Fine win for David TynanDavid Tynan won the Junior Scratch Trophy in Millicent Golf Club on Sunday last to further enhance his growing reputation. In what were testing conditions with a blustery wind sweeping across the championship course, this was a magnificent achievement. In what was a large and competitive field, David"s splendid score of 75 carried him to victory.Saturday and Sunday supplementary sweepstake competitionOver the weekend between the aforementioned matches, the men took part in a supplementary competition and returned some good scores. The best card handed in was forty points from our Handicap Chairman, John Tweddle. John had two points to spare from Bernard McDonnell (4) and Louis Vambeck (16).Long HandicapLast Thursday"s long handicap outing, which was kindly sponsored by Eddie Byrne, attracted a fine entry and some phenomenal scoring, which also attracted the attention of the aforementioned John T. The popular winner of the first prize, with a superb forty points, over the fifteen holes was Paul McGann (18). Second and third prizes went to Tommy Keating (20) and Gerry Eyres (18), both with thirty six points. The presentation takes place this Thursday evening. Also on this Thursday evening the draw for the Swarbrigg Brothers long handicap matchplay competition takes place.Mullingar Park Hotel Open on Sunday nextThe attraction on Sunday next is the annual Mullingar Park Hotel men"s open singles, with times available on the BRS as usual.Ladies BranchMullingar Pharmacy were the kind sponsors of the Ladies Open two person team event on Wednesday last. There was a terrific turnout with players from over twenty clubs participating. On a blustery but largely dry day, Jeannette McDonnell (18) and Nancy Cooney (21) returned a massive score of 51 points to win by a country mile. Local girls, Cepta Reidy (22) and Alison O"Neill (35) pipped their counterparts Frances Mahon (16) from Newlands and Patricia Mahon (36) from Castle Barna for second place having the better of the two 47 point scores returned. Carmel Maher (19) and Bridie Morris (30) combined brilliantly to card 46 points for fourth spot. Kathleen O"Hara won the seniors compettition and Patricia Gardner was the best beginner. Interclub MatchplayThe various interclub matchplay events continue to hold interest for four Mullingar teams. The Junior Cup, the Intermediate Cup, the Minor Cup and the Challenge Cup teams have produced some sparkling form to march on towards the semi final stages. It"s onward and upward with our focus fixed firmly on the next challenge in the quest for the elusive pennants. ResultsTwo person team event1st. Jeannette McDonnell (18) and Nancy Cooney (21), 51 points; 2nd Cepta Reidy (22) and Alison O"Neill (35) 47 points; 3rd Frances Mahon (16) and Patricia Mahon (36) 47 points; 4th. Carmel Maher (19) and Bridie Morris (30) 46 points.