There was a tense finish to the Leinster Under 16 Inter County at a glorious Kilbeggan today. An immaculate course awaited the players in perfect weather for Pitch and Putt as play commenced at 3pm. The midweek slot may have only had four teams but there was plenty of drama.
Dublin and Offaly were first out in the Scotch Foursomes and produced some great displays between the six players. The non- related Dublin duo Liam and Ross O’Reilly produced a best of the day 47, while the Offaly sextet produced a 50, 51 and 52 between them with Mark Newman and Kieran Doyle scoring low. This left Offaly -9 after the foursomes with Dublin a few back on -5.
Reigning champions Louth were then out with the hosts, Westmeath. Westmeath had a young and inexperienced team who were clearly enjoying the occasion, especially James Greene and Ciaran Egan. A new look Louth team showed all the skills of their predecessors, shooting great scores, particularly a 49 from Keelan Evans and James Carroll. They totalled -6 to lie well in contention.
The singles followed with Dublin and Offaly producing a great tussle. They traded good scores between the twelve players particularly the 48 from Offaly’s Ryan Sheeran and the 49 from Dublin’s Ross O’Reilly. Eventually when the scores were totalled, Dublin had come out one shot on top with a score of -11.
Now it was all down to the Louth lads out with Westmeath. Dean Dinnegan was once again on form with a 53 for the Lakemen. A strong opening nine holes for the boys from the Wee county suggested they would contend but a faltering finish left them on a score of 490, fifteen shots behind Dublin, who regained the crown last won 2010 Ryston.