There was no brotherly love lost when the Fennelly brothers contested the AIB sponsored Lord Mayor's Cup final at Clontarf Golf Club on Saturday. From a field of 198, with handicaps ranging from five to nine, the Fennelly brothers - 14-year-old Barry and 18-year-old Damien - came through to meet in the final with Barry winning 3 and 2.
No brotherly love lost
Both brothers joined the juvenile section of Clontarf GC at 12 years of age and quickly showed a flair for the game. Their handicaps quickly tumbled and Damien now plays to five while Barry's dropped from 10 to seven in the last few weeks.
Barry had double cause for celebrations on Sunday when he was a member of the Clontarf team that beat Hermitage 7-2 in the first leg of the Metropolitan Cup final. The brothers are keen sportsmen with Barry the captain of his school, St Paul's, rugby team and also plays with Raheny GAA club. Damien won the Golfer of the Year award at St Paul's this year where he will captain the schools in the National Schools final at Royal Tara GC next week.
Family fun
The Morrisson family from Cahir took full advantage of their holiday home on the Liscannor Road to take two of the major matchplay trophies during the Lahinch club week just ended. Niall Morrisson (5) was the first on the victory rostrum when he beat Michael Cronin (5) from Macroom by 3 and 2 to win the Arnott Cup. This splendid trophy was first won by one of Ireland's greatest rugby players Paul Murray, who also won the South of Ireland championship in 1940.
Then came the Morrisson parents John (2) and Yvonne (17), who won the Moy Cup, with the final on the same day. They beat a local pair Eamon Connaire (10) and Jenny Cagney (16) by one hole.
David Conway, who grew up near the course but now plays out of Portmarnock, earlier won Sean Murphy's captain's prize. He then went on to take the Frank O'Brien Memorial Trophy which lowered his handicap to one.
Erry defend title
Glenville Pitch and Putt club will field seven teams in the National Mixed 36 holes championship over their home course next weekend. And their A team of Patricia Kavanagh, Teresa Bennett, Shay Kavanagh and Martin Moran is the same team that finished third in 1997. Erry will be back to defend the title but with only two of last year's winning side Tracey McGrath and her brother Joe. This year they will be joined by Helen Wynne and JJ Wyne, However, their bid to defend the title will be severely tested with teams like Tullamore, Parteen, Crosshaven, Hillview, Lucan and Collins in the field of 40.
Barton Cup final
Baltinglass and Sutton, both bidding for a fourth title, will contest the FBD-sponsored Barton Cup final, with the first leg at Baltinglass on Saturday next and the return at Sutton on Sunday, September 14th. In a unique final in that both clubs play on nine-hole courses and both have players seeking a third Barton Cup medal. Baltinglass have Maurice Byrne, who played on the successful Baltinglass teams of 1974 and 1993, while Sutton have the evergreen Bill Thompson. Thompson, a former Connacht interprovincial was on the Sutton teams of 1972 and 1982. Thompson, the only one of the 1972 team on this side will be joined by four other members of the winning 1982 team - John Carr, Kieran O'Byrne, Brian Wallace and Dougie Heather.
Parnells in form
Dublin GAA clubs dominated the Leinster final of the FBD Golf Challenge at Tullfarris Golf Club, Co Wicklow last week. Parnells, with a score of 82 points, finished ahead of a quality field beating fellow Dublin clubs Na Fianna (81 Points) and Faughs GAA Club (79 Points). Parnells will compete with Munster champions Clonaulty Rossmore GAA Club, Co Tipperary, Connacht Champions Claremorris GAA Club, Co Mayo and Ulster Champions Crossmaglen Rangers, Co Armagh at the All-Ireland Final which will take place at Faithlegg Golf Course, Co Waterford over the weekend of August 31st and September 1st.
Brennan's title
Two birdies and some highly consistent play proved the key to vice-Captain Nano Brennan winning Seamus Green's recent Professional Prize at Elm Park. Playing off a handicap of six, the Kilkenny-born golfer fired a highly impressive score of 40 points, which included a fine birdie on the tough 170-metre par three 17th hole. Added to that Brennan also showed some great consistency throughout her round with 12 pars also on her card. In all it left her with 20 points on each nine. Her score of 40 points was good enough to give her a slender one- point victory over Anne Carew (21), who with five pars fired 39 points and in the process shaved a shot off her handicap.
The gross winner was former Irish international Mary Irvine, playing off nine, who had 29 gross points, while the class winners were Colette Langan, Maureen Groarke and Janet O'Sullivan.
In the bag
They may well have just narrowly missed out on the 100 points total, but the four-man team representing Marchmont Packaging were still more than happy as they claimed victory for the fourth consecutive year at the annual FAI Charity outing at City West last Friday, in aid of the Knight's of St Columbanus, Solo Housing Project.
The winning team of Pat Doran, Brendan Mulqueen, Tony Kelly and Mick Carroll fired 99 points and secured a three-point winning margin over the Ray Treacy Travel quartet. City Law were third also on 96 points, one ahead of An Post, with the FAIS team fifth with 93 points.
The outing - which also featured Republic of Ireland team manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Ian Evans, as well as Packie Bonner compete - saw a cheque of €20,000 presented to the Knight's of St Columbanus, who are hoping to build a half-way house in the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown area to provide 30 self contained units along with a day centre.
Harrington wins
Leading by example in Craddockstown last week was the Lady President Deirdre Harrington, who headed the field in the Maureen Reilly Memorial Trophy. The 28 handicapper topped the field with a fine score of 39 points, one better than Enda Corrigan (19), with Noleen Maher (34) back in third a further point adrift with 37 points. Eight handicapper Stella Lunny took the gross prize with 26 gross points.
