Harrington's 'students' going for maiden Barton Cup title

THE CREST to the right of the sweater give it away. The words, in vivid red letters, proclaim: “Paddy Harrington Golf Scholarship”; in place of the “o” in “Golf”, there is a shamrock, showing the intention of the scheme at NUI Maynooth to keep some of the country’s finest young players here in Ireland as an alternative to the traditional scholarship route to colleges in the United States.

On yesterday’s evidence at the Chartis-sponsored Irish Cups and Shields at Kinsale Golf Club – a parkland course which has defied copious rainfall throughout the summer to present a firm and fast-running challenge in this annual festival of club golf – the scholarship scheme, inspired by the father of three-time Major champion Pádraig, has proven to be hugely successful.

The proof of the pudding? Just six years after the scheme was launched, NUI Maynooth moved within reach of a first-ever GUI green pennant, although Banbridge, the seasoned campaigners standing between them and the famed Barton Shield, could yet make that final leg of the journey the toughest part of all.

The Maynooth students were four holes winners yesterday over Munster champions Doneraile in the semi-final, to set up a final showdown with Banbridge – who edged past Galway at the death – and who include one-time tour professional Jim Carvill, long reinstated to amateur status, and Irish internationals Connor Doran and Rory Leonard in their ranks.

It’s a measure of NUI Maynooth’s intent that Neil Manchip, the Irish national coach, was involved in the college’s preparations – attending the course for Tuesday’s practice run to work with the team – and sports psychologist Neil O’Brien conducted a mind session.

“It helped us to stay focused and not get ahead of yourself, things like that . . . basic stuff regurgitated and thrown at you the whole time but it does help you keep focused on what you have to be doing,” said Conor O’Rourke on how they successfully stayed in the present in overcoming Doneraile.

The Barton Shield’s unique format sees the aggregate scores of the two foursomes matches determining the winner.

Maynooth didn’t need any intricate calculus to work out their route to victory yesterday. O’Rourke and Jonny Yates were one hole winners over David Finn and John Hickey, while Irish internationals Barry Anderson – who has just graduated with a finance and accounting degree – and Gary Hurley were three holes winners over Tim O’Mahony and Adam Carey.

“We were grabbing onto holes that we didn’t have, chasing, and when you’re chasing, the line comes very close then after a while,” admitted Doneraile co-captain Conor Hannon.

If Maynooth’s route to a semi-final victory was relatively straightforward, Banbridge’s win over Galway was timed with all the diligence of a hawk swooping on its prey. The Ulster champions were precariously positioned entering the final stretch. In the top match, Rory Leonard and Colin Wilton critically moved ahead on the 17th after Ronan Mullaney and Joe Lyons were stymied by a tree to claim a one hole win. But the real drama was reserved for the bottom match.

There, Galway seemed to have matters – and the overall match – in their own hands when Damien Glynn and Eddie McCormack claimed a one hole lead after 16 holes over Doran and Carvill. The tough Par 4 17th was halved in fours before Carvill rolled in a winning birdie on the 18th (where McCormack and Glynn three-putted) to draw level and consequently claim the overall win in their quest to regain the shield they last won in 2003.

In the Irish Junior Cup, Ulster champions Donaghadee – with teenagers Andrew Clegg and Mark Tea impressive – claimed a 3-2 win over Castletroy of Limerick, with Alan Neill, in the anchor role, securing the all-important closing point with a 2 and 1 success over Ronan Murphy.

Athenry’s Matthew Fahy claimed a win over Milltown’s Rory O’Gorman at the first hole of sudden death to book the Galway club’s ticket in the final.

Ian Dunican and Thomas Reaney were comfortable winners of the top two singles but Luke Conlon gave Milltown a glimmer of hope before Fahy closed the door on the Dubliners.

Whoever wins, the final showdown will provide breakthrough Junior Cup champions.