The Leinster Gents Matchplay got underway right on the bell this morning at a calm and pleasant Tullamore. Grey skies met the players as the Senior preliminary matches got underway, Jimmy Scanlon of Erry being the first to tee-off and also producing one of the first ripples of the Championship as he dispatched clubmate Larry Maher to an early bath.
Home player Darren O’Connell had a nervy start but won eventually. Derek Courtney had no such worries, easing past the challenge of Ger Fitzpatrick. Darren Thornberry threw scorn on the pundits, pulling through and surviving a couple of renaissance moments against Martin O’Neill of St Pats.
Mick Hogan won as expected, in an uncomfortable game with Noel Commiskey, while Joe McGrath stole a march on Old County’s Stephen Murray who was obviously uncomfortable with the Tullamore course.
George Beardsley was safe against an uncharacteristically sloppy Ian Farrelly, with the final game going expected as Tom Roche outplayed Gerry Keenan of Lough Owel.
The Inter Gents were next up, and the first match unfortunately had a walkover, as Aengus Coughlan had to concede as he was stuck in Norway in work. (Anyone who watched the Eurovision can commiserate as Norway must be a wonderful place to work). Niall Corcoran the beneficiary in Tullamore. Dessie Baker, the very in-form intermediate took no leniency on William Byrne, closing out early, while John Byrne narrowly defeated home favourite Dylan Melia, who was struggling with an obvious knee injury, as his leg was in a brace.
Charlie Egan of Erin’s Isle just edged out pal David Hayden II with the minimum between them, and similarily Cement’s Richard Lambe succeeded over John Leddy with 1 hole to spare. The effective Colin Byrne edged out Stephen Ruane in another tight inter match, as did Noel Ryan in an enjoyable bout with Fran O’Connor of Ryston. Finally Dean Grannell really set the cat amongst the pidgeons as he demolished Gary Pyke of the host club.
The Juniors took centre stage next, with a visible St Bridgets presence marauding around the Arden hill. The Farrell’s drew one another, and it was father Mark who punished the younger Owen leaving the smallest of margins at the finale. Paddy Kelly ensured at least one Kilcullen member in the semi’s as he strode past Lough Owel’s Keith Nolan. Brendan McMahon secured a 3&2 victory as did Ruairi Fortune, while Alan Leddy dispensed a hiding to John O’Keeffe, and Thomas Kelly of Granard progressed in a visibly pleasant match with Ierne’s Alan Byrne. It was both a sporting and pleasurable encounter to the watching eye.
Michael O’Connell served notice on the rest of the field winning with a bit to spare, as did Channonrock’s Mark Molloy.
The Senior’s returned for the Last 16 encounters, and there were some shocks and disappointments throughout. Jimmy Scanlon ground out a win against Stephen Bray on the 2nd tie-hole, while Darren O’Connell starting to motor through the gears and totally out-classed a shaken Rene Jan Bloem (watched by beautiful wife and daughter partnership Liz and Lily).
Derek Courtney wilted against Mark Millar throwing away a 2 hole lead with a few to play while being magnanimous enough to suggest that his opponent had missed enough chances earlier to be in with a shout. Classy as always DC! John Ross Crangle pulled away from Darren Thornberry while Mick Hogan issued a real warning to all others as he outclassed William Buckley, and the margin could have been bigger.
Joe McGrath overcame the challenge of Frank Ryan, while Sean Downes and Paul Nolan had comfortable wins over Beardsley and Roche respectively. That completed the senior quarter-final line-up. There was little let-up for the larger senior section though as they were almost immediately to return to action for the semi-finals.
Still though the matter of the Inter and Junior Quarter-Finals, and there was excitement by the bucket-load. Weather was still bearable, but rain was threatening and there was a slight breeze playing across the course. Dessie Baker went to town on Lough Owel clubmate Niall Corcoran, while Charlie Egan just about overcame John Byrne of Bellewstown. Dean Grannell completed the semi-final line-up, administering a beating to Lucan’s Noel Ryan.
The Juniors felt the start of the poor weather, but their spirits and more importantly, their play, wasn’t dampened. Mark Farrell was playing good Pitch and Putt and eliminated Paddy Kelly before Ruairi Fortune tried his best to give his game to Brendan McMahon of Kilbeggan, as the youngster pegged back three holes in a row before narrowly losing on the last. The impressive Thomas Kelly also progressed past Alan Leddy of Navan winning on the last, before Tullamore dynamo Michael O’Connell brushed aside the challenge of Mark Molloy.
The final matches on a by-now wet and murky Tullamore were the 4 Senior quarter-finals. It wasn’t quite “one man and a dog” statistics, but the numbers watching were worryingly poor for what is a decisive stage of an important tournament. That mattered little to the players though. Darren O’Connell continued his earlier excellent performance, if not exceeding it, and Jimmy Scanlon had no answer for it. JR Crangle, in a match that ebbed and flowed as the game progressed, did what was needed to defeat Mark Millar.
Mick Hogan was also comfortable as Joe McGrath’s performance failed to reach the earlier highs. The final match finishing (by some considerable distance) was the epic tie between Sean Downes and Erin’s Isle’s Paul Nolan. This was a belter of a game played in horrible wet conditions, and some of the Pitch and Putt was excellent. Both players traded holes before Downes settled into a groove. Downes looked comfortable early into the 2nd round holding a 2-hole advantage, but Nolan pulled back, and things were tied going into the final 9. In a pulsating contest, Nolan now held a 2 hole advantage before what looked to be a seismic shift in the tie. Playing the 14th (or 32nd) Downes looked odd’s on to take a four with Nolan nestled safely at the side of the green. However Downes hit an amazing putt on what was described consistently today as “an unplayable green”, and Nolan never looked like making his putt. A poor, pitch and putt combination at the next meant the tie was in the balance, before Downes hit a wonderful pitch to the tricky 16th green to take the lead. Every one of the 7 man strong crowd were unanimous that there would be only one winner – Downes. Not one dissenting voice. However Nolan fought back immediately, sinking a solid putt, before the 18th was tied somewhat anti-climatically.
Tie-holes then were needed. Both played cagey pitches to the first, and when Nolan pitched to 5 feet at the 38th, the pressure was on Downes to respond and his pitch nestled to the back of the green. The resultant birdie attempt sidled by and that left Nolan with the simple task of slotting in to take the game.
As the bandwagon trundles over to Clara to meet the ladies, this is an appropriate time to thank the Tullamore Club for their efforts. The course was in lovely condition, the support staff (Ber Gorman!) did anything that was asked of them, while the clubhouse was sparkling and food was spilling out of the kitchen continuously. Thanks to them all. Paul O’Gorman roamed the course badgering all and sundry for scores, while Mary Farrell ensured that the players were in order and that the event flowed smoothly. The NEC were assisted tremendously by the Old County stalwart and former Dublin PRO Robert Ryan, his expertise ensuring everyone was kept up to date with proceedings on the course.
We will hopefully see you all tomorrow in Clara at 10a.m. for the Ladies and Gents Semi-finals, and following that the final and presentation itself. Bring a friend!
Gent’s Semi-finals:
Senior: Darren O’Connell (Tullamore) v John Ross Crangle (Loughlinstown) [Holder]
Mick Hogan (Tullamore) v Paul Nolan (Erin’s Isle)
Inter: Dessie Baker (Lough Owel) v Charlie Egan (Erin’s Isle)
Colin Byrne (Bellewstown) v Dean Granell (St. Pat’s)
Junior: Mark Farrell (St. Bridget’s) vs Ruairi Fortune (St. Pat’s)
Thomas Kelly (Granard) vs Michael O’Connell (Tullamore)