The recent rough weather conditions didn't deter Castletroy's Irish international player Barbara Hackett who scored three notable victories over the last few weeks.
On April 19th she won the Ford Scratch Cup in Cork Golf Club and then followed that up a week later by landing the equivalent at Youghal. In between those successes she won the Senior Munster Championship over her home course, beating Eileen Rose Power (Kilkenny) on the final hole in the final. The Junior Championship was won by Karen Twomey (Lahinch) who beat Mitcheltown's Catherine Kavanagh at the 15th hole in the final.
His father might have been known as King of the Boards, but young Eamonn Coghlan is earning quite a reputation as a golfer. A junior member at Luttrellstown Castle, he finished third behind Mullingar's Michael Dunne and Mark Doran from the Grange in the McGuirk's Junior Cup qualifier at Rathsallagh two weeks ago. And this weekend he won the junior prize at his home club.
Alan Kelly, who had the distinction of caddying for Paul McGinley when he partnered Padraig Harrington to win the World Cup at Kiawah Island, showed he can play the game himself on Sunday in the Bantry Junior Scratch Cup. Off a handicap of nine, he shot a round of 78 to finish second, two shots behind the winner Dominic Crowley from Skibbereen. Kelly replaced McGinley's regular caddy Edinburgh Jimmy at Kiawah Island when the latter missed his flight to the tournament.
Curragh's Lillian Behan (right) was a golfer in form last week. The Curtis Cup player equalled the course record at her local club in the Rover Cup with a magnificent 67 which included a breathtaking 31 gross on the back nine. She won catagory one easily by a clear seven strokes. Then on Sunday she finished second in the Hermitage Scratch Cup, three strokes behind the winner Eileen Rose Power.
Lucan single figure player John Thompson had a memorable weekend's golf. On Saturday, he played off seven and was just three over par when winning the club singles competition. His winning score meant his handicap was reduced by one for the following day's fourball, but that still didn't stop him. Playing with Noel Peacock, who plays off 18, they finished a magnificent eight up to win the event.
A modest guy, John paid tribute to the course for his victory on Saturday which he said "is in excellent shape" and to his partner on Sunday who he said "played brilliantly". You mustn't have played too badly yourself, John.
Senator Donie Cassidy has a reputation as a shrewd politician. He is proving just as competent as a golfer. His latest success was in Delvin Castle, where he is a former president. Aided by teammates Paul Coll, Mary Daly and Kathryn Cooney, the Senator took the honours in the Mater Heart Foundation Charity tournament. They won by four strokes and now go forward to the final in Glasson where the prize is a golfing holiday in the Algarve.
Holders Milltown are seeded to meet Grange in the Eastern District Ladies Senior Cup which will be held in Hermitage Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday next. Milltown, who went on to beat Woodenbridge in the All-Ireland final at Glasson last year, will take on Naas in the first round with the prospect of a meeting with last year's Eastern District finalists The Island in the second round.
In the bottom half of the draw Grange, who play Old Conna in their opening match, are favourites to meet Elm Park in the semi-final.
The draw is: Milltown v Naas; Delgany v The Island; Woodbrook v Hermitage; Howth v Donabate; Elm Park v Foxrock; Co Louth v Dun Laoghaire; Laytown and Bettystown v Black Bush; Old Conna v Grange.
Hazel Grove, gained sweet revenge for last year's defeat in the Best Cup when they knocked out the holders, The Island, in the first round last week. Hazel Grove laid the foundations for victory by taking two matches at The Island and secured their place in the next round by winning four points in the home leg. The South Dublin club will be hoping to go just one step further this year having lost at the semi-final stage in each of the last three years.
It was an all Dun Laoghire final for the Leinster Junior Championship (Duggan Cup) when Carole Haugh beat her club-mate Nicky Robinson 2 and 1 at Charlesland last week. Haugh beat Anne Sommers of Cill Dara in the semi-final while Robinson edged out Mary McCann from Old Conna.
Killiney caused a major shock when they beat the holders Castlecomer in the preliminary round of the Barton Cup. Killiney won all three matches at home to oust the champions.
Gordon Eivers is the man in form on the Junior Scratch Cup circuit. After two top three finishes in recent weeks, he was an all the way winner in the Westmanstown Junior Scratch Cup over the weekend. A two over par 73 gave Eivers a two shot lead after the first round and his 75 in the afternoon left him with two shots to spare over Slade Valley's Henry Byrne who had two rounds of 75. Dermot Keane of Naas took third place on 156 while the net prize was won by Brian Hayes of Bodenstown on level par 142.
