ROYAL PORTRUSH CLAIM IRISH SENIOR CUP TITLE

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION
Royal Portrush claimed their 24th  Irish Senior Cup title after defeating a gallant Douglas team 4½ - ½ in this afternoon’s final, played at Cork Golf Club.
The northern side, who were pre-tournament favourites, got off to a fantastic start with Lucy Simpson recording an early win over Aoife Lane in the fourth match. Former International Gemma McClenaghan, was involved in a tight affair with Karen O’Neill at the top of the order but moved into a 3 hole lead after 14 holes and proceeded to score a 4 and 2 win.
Star of the Royal Portrush team, Helen Jones brought the trophy north for the fifth time in eight years with a 4 and 3 win over Ailish Thompson in the bottom game while moments later current international Charlene Reid edged out Eavan Higgins with a birdie at the 18th. A final score line of 4½ - ½ in favour of the Ulster champions was confirmed when Maura Diamond and Kate MacCann were called-in after 17 holes.
In the first of the morning semi-finals, Douglas secured the top 3 matches on the home green to defeat an experienced Laytown & Bettystown team who also exited the tournament at this stage last year. Karen O’Neill continued her impressive golf to defeat Alison Taylor at the top of the order, finishing the match with a birdie 3 at the 18th to win 2 up. Eavan Higgins and Kate McCann followed with wins, also on the 18th,when Wickham sisters Carol and Phil were both unlucky not to convert birdie opportunities which would have seen the matches extended to tie holes. Douglas were last crowned senior cup champions in 1990 and now go in search of their 13th title when they take on a strong Royal Portrush team in this afternoon’s final.
Royal Portrush were also faced with a tight semi final match but defeated southern champions Lahinch to progress to the afternoon final. Helen Jones set Royal Portrush on their way to the final with a comfortable 7 and 6 over Valerie Shannon in the bottom match but there was little between the sides in the four remaining matches.
The top two matches saw some excellent golf with the talented Sinead Sexton of Lahinch producing a birdie 3 at the 18th to force ties holes with former international Gemma McClenaghan. Linda Toomey also played some impressive golf during a tough battle with current international Charlene Reid. However, Royal Portrush showed their strength when Lucy Simpson took the Northern side a step closer to the final as she slotted a 15ft putt on the 16th to defeat the experienced Valerie Hassett in the penultimate match. Royal Portrush then confirmed the win though Niamh Quigg who beat Olivia Hayes 2 and 1.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS
FINAL
DOUGLAS ½ - 4 ½ ROYAL PORTRUSH
Karen O'Neill lost to Gemma McClenaghan 4 and 2
Eavan Higgings lost to Charlene Reid 1 hole.
Kate MacCann halved with Maura Diamond (called-in)
Aoife Lane lost to Lucy Simpson 8 and 6
Ailish Thompson lost to Helen Jones 4 and 3
Team Captains: Deirdre Buckley and  Claire Robinson

SEMI FINALS
DOUGLAS 3 - 2 LAYTOWN and BETTYSTOWN
Karen O'Neill bt Alison Taylor 2 holes
Eavan Higgins bt Carol Wickham 1 hole.
Kate McCann bt Phil O'Gorman 1 hole.
Aoife Lane halved with Barbara Cooney (called-in)
Ailish Thompson halved with Noeline Quirke (called-in)
Team Captains: Deirdre Buckley  and Aileen Regan

LAHINCH 1 - 4 ROYAL PORTRUSH
Sinead Sexton halved with Gemma McClenaghan (called-in)
Linda Toomey halved with Charlene Reid (called-in)
Olivia Hayes lost to Niamh Quigg 2 and 1.
Valerie Hassett lost to Lucy Simpson 3 and 2
Valerie Shannon lost to Helen Jones 7 and 6
Team Captains: Georgina Condon and  Claire Robinson





Further details available from:

Sandra Barnett

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