CORCORAN LEADS IRISH MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS BY FIVE SHOTS

NEWS RELEASE FROM IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION

Portumna’s Suzanne Corcoran added a second round 71 to lead the qualifiers by five strokes at the at the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Woodenbridge Golf Club in the Vale of Avoca today.
In glorious sunshine, Corcoran fired a tournament best one-under par 71 and now faces a tricky assignment against seniors’ debutante Mary Dowling from Mallow, the final qualifier. 

Overnight leader Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook) slipped down the field after an 85 and will play Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) who added a 78 to her opening 80. 

Tie of the round is arguably the meeting of fellow internationals Carol Wickham (Laytown and Bettystown) and Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) with the winner meeting the outcome of Sheena McElroy (Grange) versus Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) in tomorrow afternoon’s quarter finals.
In much improved conditions, the field improved by an average of three strokes as competitors vied gallantly for the inaugural Therese O’Reilly Trophy, kindly donated by fellow Grange member Sheena McElroy.
The top 16 now challenge for the championship over four rounds of match play with the new champion being crowned on Friday afternoon. Players in positions 17 through to 32 will challenge for the Plate.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

 (Par 72 SSS 72, CSS 74 73)
147 Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) 76 71
152 Pat Doran (Donabate) 78 74
152 Sheena McElroy (Grange) 78 74
153 Laura Webb (Cairndhu) 79 74
156 Gertie McMullen (The Island) 80 76
156 Carol Wickham (Laytown and Bettystown) 79 77
156 Pauline Walsh (Headfort) 77 79
158 Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) 80 78
158 Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook) 73 85
160 Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) 80 80
160 Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) 79 81
161 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) 83 78
161 Mairéad MacNamara (Woodbrook) 79 82
161 Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) 78 83
163 Connie Doyle (Enniscorthy) 82 81
163 Mary Dowling (Mallow) 80 83