*Shannon Golf Club celebrate AIG Jimmy Bruen success at Mannan Castle. Photograph: Dan Clohessy | Inpho
SHANNON Golf Club celebrated their first All-Ireland pennant in 45 years when the Clare side were crowned AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield champions at Mannan Castle on Saturday.
By Caomh Breen Allen
There was also joy for Gort, who added the AIG Women’s Minor Foursomes title to last week’s Intermediate success in a remarkable seven days for the Galway club.
Shannon booked their place in the final after defeating Leinster South champions Lucan 3–1 in Friday’s semi-final. In Saturday’s decider they faced fellow Munster side Clonakilty in a tight contest that saw the Clare men come from behind to secure victory and end a long wait for All-Ireland glory.
Clonakilty were first to put a point on the board as Leo Hassett and 14-year-old Odhran Scully claimed a 3&2 win over Keith Buckley and Joe Finlay.
Shannon responded quickly, however, with Dermot O’Donoghue and Seán Óg Murnane levelling the tie by the same margin.
With the contest finely balanced, Michael Corry and Adam McInerney Hynes nudged Shannon in front before the decisive moment came on the 16th green as Luke Hegarty chipped from a bunker and Derek Sweeney calmly holed the putt to secure the winning point and spark jubilant celebrations.
“These guys are incredible, the players, the panel, the backroom staff and everyone back in Shannon,” said Shannon team captain Colm Hanley. “We have a hugely supportive club and everyone who put everything in, from the office to pro shop, the whole lot, we’re just blessed and this is the first time we have ever won this so as a club we are going to celebrate and enjoy it, that’s for sure”.
“It’s not just the lads here today it’s literally for the whole club and everyone deserves credit for this because it doesn’t happen by itself,” he added.
Team manager Colm Hanley who is also the current Shannon club captain, was joined on the management team by his father Seamus, Ed Hickey and Liam O’Mahoney. The members of the victorious panel are Mike Corry Junior, Luke Hegarty, Derek Sweeney, Dermot O’Donoghue, Sean Og Murnane, Alan Small, Davy Jones, Adam McInerney Hynes, Declan Heffernan, P.J. Moroney Kevin Fennessy, Keith Buckley, Kevin Stanford, Gary Fitzgibbon, Kevin McCarthy, Davy Ryan, Brian Lonergan Joe Finlay and Brian Punch.
The celebrations continued at the Monaghan club later in the afternoon when Gort completed a stunning double by winning the AIG Women’s Minor Foursomes, just a week after lifting the Intermediate Foursomes crown at Athlone.
Photograph: Dan Clohessy | Inpho
Having beaten Holywood 3–1 in their semi-final, the Connacht side carried their form into the final against Ballycastle.
Olive Mulcair and Ena Furey put the first point on the board with a 3&2 win before Teresa Herbert and Sinead Collins, one of the stars of last week’s win, delivered a 6&4 success to extend the advantage.
With only a half point required, Patricia Skehill, Evelyn Fahey, Patricia Reddy and Fran O’Reilly ensured the margin was beyond doubt, sealing back-to-back All-Ireland titles for the Galway club.
“It was a great win. We started this campaign last June and they have been very committed, all the girls,” said Gort team captain Anne-Marie Craddock. “I am so honoured for our club, this is our second All-Ireland in a week so it’s just amazing. We’re delighted and we’re going to celebrate now”.
