Tudenham Cup joy for Mullingar golfers

On a breezy Saturday afternoon, Mullingar Golf Club hosted one of the most memorable finals in the 40-year history of the Tudenham Cup. The navy blue and white of the home side stood out proudly against a formidable force from Cavan’s Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club. The prize: a place in history, with Mullingar chasing their fourth victory in this storied competition.

The fairways were lined with members who had answered the call to support their team. Some came to cheer; some came to pray. All came to witness a final that promised passion, pressure, and golf of the highest calibre.

The format was better-ball fourball, five matches to decide the champions. The stage was set.

Match 1: Dunne and Lyons vs O’Reilly and McMorrow

Veteran Paddy Dunne, already a two-time Tudenham winner, partnered the ever steady Stephen Lyons in the opening contest. Their task was a formidable one: set the tone for the day.

Slieve Russell’s Michael O’Reilly came out swinging, three under through six holes - yet still only one hole ahead. Paddy and Stephen responded like seasoned warriors, winning the 7th and 9th, to claw their way into a slender lead at the turn.

When the Cavan pair surged back, using their shots well, to go two up through 14, the home supporters grew restless. But after a fortuitous bounce, Lyons steadied the ship with a crucial birdie at 15, and mistakes from the visitors on 16 drew the match level.

The tension on 17 was unbearable when O’Reilly conjured a miraculous chip to save par. Lyons, faced with a daunting downhill putt from the back of the green, rolled it home to roars of approval.

The match marched to the 18th par 5 all square. Slieve Russell reached the green in two, staring at eagle glory and the match. But cruelly the putt lipped out, and the Dunner holed bravely for the half. The battle moved into sudden death.

With the 19th halved in fours, Lyons’ tee shot found the 20th green and, under pressure, Slieve Russell finally faltered. Mullingar secured the first vital point. A thunderous roar shook the trees.

Match 2: O’Hara and Quinlan vs McDermott and Keane

Hot on their heels, Steven O’Hara and Joe Quinlan produced a rollercoaster. Early birdies gave them hope, but Slieve Russell’s composure saw the visitors two up at the turn.

The home side refused to yield. With birdie-birdie-par through 13 to 15, O’Hara and Quinlan drew level, feeding off the swelling crowd.

The climax was worthy of a final. Slieve Russell edged ahead with a birdie on 16. O’Hara answered immediately with one of his own on 17. And on the final green, with the match in the balance, Joe Quinlan buried an astonishing birdie putt to seal victory.

Two points now to Mullingar. The dream was alive.

Match 3: Ruane and Hepburn vs Rooney and O’Neill

If the first two matches had been tense, the third was theatre. Derek Ruane and Tony Hepburn were paired for their grit and chemistry, and from the off they dazzled.

They stormed into an early lead, dovetailing beautifully. But Slieve Russell refused to go away, chipping away at the deficit and drawing level by the 13th. The momentum seemed to shift and Lady Luck appeared to desert the home side. But the 14th provided a turning point. Hepburn’s second shot onto the par-5 green drew wild cheers from the gallery. The ‘Gar men were one up again. By 16, fortune smiled at last: both Russell players had found the stream, while Mullingar steadied for par. Dormie two. On 17, with nerves jangling, Ruane stood over a tricky putt. The crowd urged him to “just roll it dead.” He did better than that. With a firm strike, the ball rattled the back of the cup and dropped in. The celebration was deafening. Mullingar had secured the match, and with it, the Tudenham Cup.

Match 4: Swarbrigg and Hogan vs McGreevy and Donohue

Unaware of how the three matches ahead were developing, Johnny Swarbrigg and Adam Hogan were in a tussle of their own. And even though the Cup’s destination was to be decided early, the Mullingar men ensured that the celebrations would be complete.

Adam’s early run of birdie brilliance put Mullingar in control, while Johnny added steel with a run of pars. That was good enough to ensure that the home side were 2 in front at the turn.

Lying 30m from the 10th green in 3, and looking out of contention, Adam almost chipped in when his ball cannoned off John’s stationery ball, turned sharp right and skittered up to the hole’s edge, but refused to drop. John replaced his shocked ball and promptly polished off his 3 footer for a bird and 3 up.

The lead was quickly back to 2 however, when Slieve Russell birdied 11. Dramatic golf continued with pars ensuring halves through 12 and 13.

The highlight came on the 14th: Jack McGreevy drained a 20-foot eagle putt for Slieve Russell. The crowd gasped. But Swarbrigg, unflappable, rolled in his own eagle from ten feet. Hole halved — with eagles!

The match was called in on 17, with Mullingar 2 up, and the job was done. This was another display of superb golf with holes either won or halved with Pars, Birdies, and Eagles. Yet again, the home side had dazzled.

Match 5: Maguire and Hand vs Dunphy and Thomas

The final pairing of Kyle Maguire and Damien Hand made a lightning start, three up through three. Slieve Russell fought back hard and, while Gar was 1 over through 9, they were only 1 up at the turn. By 12 ‘Gar’s lead had extended to two up.

A run of bad luck and misfortune then ensued, when Gar lost 13th to par, lost 14th to birdie and lost 15th to par. Suddenly Gar were 1 down.

Respite followed when the 16th was halved. Kyle and Damien had weathered Russell’s stirring fightback. But, while clearly on their way to winning the 17th, their match was called in. The Maguire / Hand pairing remained unbeaten in all matches and Mullingar’s dominance across the board had meant that the result was beyond doubt.

The Aftermath

As the shadows lengthened across Mullingar’s fairways, the cheers turned into embraces, the embraces into songs. The Cup had come home.

There were other close matches too, bearing testament to how all the team, the whole panel indeed, had made it to the Final. Kieran Smith, Brian McGinley, James Devine and Niall Kennedy, all played a role in keeping this team competitive, sometimes in matches and more times in practice. It was quite a journey, overcoming giants like Tullamore, Headfort, and defending champions Esker Hills, before facing the might of Slieve Russell.

The Cavan side had fought bravely, and the respect between the teams was clear, but this was Mullingar’s day.

The celebrations carried through the clubhouse, where all supporters and players were complimentary of Mullingar’s course and hospitality, thanks to Emmett Staunton, David Perdisatt, Gerry Bawle, and their respective teams.

Special mention must go to Team Manager Shane Cooke, who had to make the hard calls, ably assisted by Brian McGinley. Special praise also to Club Captains Frank Cotter and Aideen Kellaghan.

It was a fitting reward that Captain Frank’s decade of dedication culminated in this triumph.

Club President Conor Maguire lent prudent words of encouragement, while Chris Garry’s wisdom in all things Tudenham was invaluable.

The competition convenor, Alan Mills, must be complimented for the efficient running of the competition, while the Men’s Branch Committee gave its full support to the team. Many other volunteers too numerous to mention, must also share in the credits.

The winning pennant now joins the proud display on the clubhouse wall of fame - a reminder of a day when passion, perseverance, and local pride brought glory home as Mullingar became champions again. Ní bheidh a leithéidí arís ann.