THE cream of the country's club golfers have gathered in Tramore for the Bulmers AllIreland Cups and Shields finals and, in normal circumstances, yesterday's eve of competition fare would be confined to practice rounds and, perhaps, some work on the putting green.
Yet, the golfers of Cork and, Tipperary had rather more serious duties to perform. The Munster region Barton Shield final finally took place, some four weeks ago with Cork clinching a place in the national finals with a seven holes win over their provincial rivals. So, the rather unusual situation arose whereby Munster chairman Percy Shannon handed over some silverware to the Cork players a mere 12 hours before their match with defending champions Co Sligo.
After an impasse between Cork and Tipperary which lasted for fully a month, it was somewhat ironic, therefore, when neither of the matches actually went the distance: officially, Fergal Deasy and Tom Cleary beat Pat Murray and Pat Nolan by one hole and Denis O'Sullivan and Pat Lyons accounted for Alan Meskell and Arthur Pierse by six holes. However, both matches, were called in at the 16th, at which point Cork were home and dried.
Co Sligo, who must have wondered in recent weeks if they would have anyone to face due to the deadlock in Munster, meet Cork in this morning's semi final, with Knock and Greystones, neither of whom have ever won the event, meeting in the other match.
David Dunne, a 21 year old student at the University of Ulster, will partner Kevin Flanagan against Cleary and Deasy, despite being troubled by arthritis in his foot.
The Irish youths international would have been entitled to use a buggy during play if producing a medical cert to the GUI but feels well enough to walk and his performance will be crucial in Sligo's endeavours to retain a title they won in Portstewart last year.
Former Irish international Ken Kearney and Seryth Heavey will face the experienced partnership of Lyons and O'Sullivan in the other match. Meanwhile, Greystones include the father and son pairing of Eddie, the Irish Seniors champion, and Kevin Condren in their team against Knock. The Condrens play Michael Sinclair and Mick Whitford while their team mates Jimmy Hackman and Alan Murray face Chris Pinkerton and Justin Parsons.
The next generation of the O'Connor golfing dynasty will also be on view when Christy Junior's sons, Nigel (17) and Darren (16), represent Galway Bay in the Irish Junior Cup semi final against Munster champions Monkstown. With Stackstown and Belvoir Park meeting in the other semi final, a new name is guaranteed to be engraved on the Junior Cup.
Warrenpoint, winners of the Pierce Purcell Shield on three previous occasions, meet Beech Park in the semi final of the competition today, while Shannon, winners in 1980, face Tuam.
The Tram ore course is in excellent condition with the praise from players yesterday although a repeat of the yesterday's wind will present enough problems for low and high handicapper player alike in this unique annual festival of golf.
