This article is from page 48 of the 2005-09-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 48 JPG
SO near and yet so far for the lady golfers of Ennis as competition specialists Royal Portrush denied them glory in the final of the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Cup on Saturday.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Ennis —a final hurdle defeat in front of a home crowd on a Woodstock course that took its place among the elite championship courses in the country.
And, it was an outrageous save from Naoimh Quigg on the 17th that won the day for Portrush. She stroked in a treach- erous 30 feet putt from off the back of the 16th green to win the hole, before closing out her match with Munster golfer Pamela Murphy on the 17th.
Earlier Irish champion and the Europe- an number nine, Tricia Mangan, got En- nis off to the best possible start by beating Helen Jones on the 14th green.
Gemma Hegarty got Portrush’s first point with a 4/3 win over former Munster player Maura McNicholas. Then came Naoimh Quigg’s heroics that gave Por- trush a 2-1 lead.
Hopes of an Ennis comeback rested with veteran Valerie Hassett and rookie Sarah Cunningham. Hassett, who will represent Ireland in the European Senior Team Championship this week, put up a brave showing against Maura Diamond before succumbing on the 16th.
It was the crucial rubber for Portrush and secured them a third successive All- Ireland Senior Cup crown. It meant the final match on the course between 15- year-old Sarah Cunningham and Steph- anie Meadow was called in. They were all square after 14.
Munster champions Ennis had reached the final in fine style, beating the Cur- ragh in the morning semi-final thanks to sterling displays from Tricia Mangan, Sarah Cunningham and Valerie Hassett. However, the final was just one match too far for a team that has done Clare golf so
proud in 2005.