Sunday 2nd October 2022

Mens

Nenagh retain the All-Ireland Fred Perry title: Nenagh Golf Club Fred Perry Trophy team was at Athlone Golf Club on Thursday last to contest the All-Ireland semi-final against Wicklow. The Fred Perry Trophy is a Golf Ireland fourball betterball competition for golfers over the age of 55. Nenagh had to a good victory in the semi-final match, played in brilliant sunshine, winning 4-1. Billy Burke & Jim Gleeson, Paul Moloney & Garry Howard and Pat Hogan and Dinny Ryan won their matches while Sean Minogue & George Hayes and Billy Morgan & Willie Harty were called in.

The All-Ireland final, against Connemara Isles on Friday morning in cold and windy conditions proved to be a dog-fight right up to the last hole. In the first match out Jim Gleeson and Billy Burke were brought to the final hole. It was all square playing the par three 17th but Billy had a birdie to put us one up and they wrapped things up on the 18th to win by one hole. Sean Minogue and George Hayes won their match on the 14th and Billy Morgan and Willie Harty won on the 15th. Paul Moloney & Garry Howard and Dinny Ryan & Pat Hogan were then called in. The final score was 3.5-1.5 to Nenagh.

The Nenagh team for both semi-final and final was: Billy Burke & Jim Gleeson, PJ Hogan & Dinny Ryan, Paul Moloney & Gary Howard, Billy Morgan & Willie Harty, Sean Minogue & George Hayes. Others team members were Kevin Stritch, Denis Corrigan, Eamon Callanan and Michael Hegarty.

The team captain Michael Hegarty and his selector Eamon Callanan managed the team through seven rounds starting in May at Castletroy in the first round followed by Ballyneety, Ballykisteen, Spanish Point followed by Killarney in Munster West final with an All-Ireland quarter-final win over Loughgall finishing with semi-final win over Wicklow and final victory of Connevara Isles. The managers received great co-operation from the team who were willing to travel long distance for practice and matches. This is a great achievement for the club to have All-Ireland titles back-to-back in this particular competition to complement the Central Towns team winning earlier in the year. At the presentation of the trophy club captain Liam Hogan and team captain Michael Hegarty both thanked Golf Ireland for their great organisation of the competition and Athlone Golf Club for their hospitality and course conditions over the two days. The team is very grateful for the support from Bernard and Majella Delahunty for all the matches. Well done to Connemara Isles who won the All-Ireland fourball competition on Sunday afternoon.

Results: Wednesday 28th September Open Singles : Cat. 1: Cian Heffernan (0) 35 pts; Cat. 2: Andy Warren (7) 35 pts; Cat. 3: Mark Smyth (19) 39 pts; Cat. 4: Paddy Heffernan (21) 35 pts; senior plus: Jimmy McCarthy (21) 35 pts.

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October: 18 Holes Open Singles.: Cat. 1: Jake Adler (1) 36 pts; Cat. 2: 1st Rober Foley (12) 41 pts; 2nd Diarmuid Kennedy (10) 39 pts (back 9); Cat. 3: 1st Mark Smyth (18) 41 pts; 2nd Billy Hayes, Templemore (16) 37 pts (back 9); Cat. 4: 1st Phil Reddan (2) 34 pts; 2nd Jonathan Donnellan (21) 32 pts.

Fixtures: Wednesday 5th October: Open Singles

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October: 18 Holes Open Team of 2. (Play off course handicap, 2 scores to count on holes 7 and 19).

Winter League: The Winter League 2022-2023 will be run on a league basis for the first five rounds of 14 hole singles. Qualifying will take place from Saturday and Sunday 14 hole competitions. Top four teams to qualify for semi-finals, three pairs playing 18 holes. The final will be three pairs over 14 holes and six singles over 14 holes. In qualifying rounds five players must play either on Saturdays or Sundays in 14 hole competitions, scores of 4 of the 5 to count, over 5 qualifying weekend competitions. If either Saturday or Sundays are unplayable the whole weekend will be deemed as unplayable (for winter league purposes only). If this happens another weekend will be added. Teams will be notified before start of the league of which weekends will be used to qualify. Closing date for entry will be October 17th.

Club Fourball: This competition is in the final stages. John Hogan and Jack Hogan beat John McLoughney and Leo Moyles. Matches still outstanding: Tom O'Connor and Billy Morgan v Ger Ryan and John G. Ryan; Pat Hogan and Jim Gleeson v Dominic O'Brien and Liam Maher; Aiden Doyle and Willie Duff v Billy Burke and Hugh Maher. Get your outstanding matches played.

Special 50/50 Members' Draw: The fortnightly 50/50 Members' Draw in aid of the club development fund is ongoing. In the draw held on Saturday 1st October Joan Slattery won €110 with the total pot at €220. To enter simply put €5 in the envelope supplied and place it in draw box outside the pro shop. Please support. The next draw will take place on this Saturday 15th October.