Last year’s Championship was a wonderful affair dominated by the two finalists – John Ross Crangle’s ultimate victory, and Rene Jan Bloem’s arrival onto the greater Pitch and Putt horizon. He didn’t so much as knock gently on the door, he bludgeoned it down! I think myself and Rene got off on the wrong foot too; I think there may have an ounce of disrespectfulness with how I referred to him in my preview of last year, which wasn’t my intention. The trick for a newcomer (be they Irish or Dutch) is to make your appearances consistent, not fleeting, and Rene has done just that. He is a player to be avoided in Matchplay.
What about the holder? He isn’t in great form, he appears to be carrying injuries, and 2 months is a long time in Pitch and Putt, never mind 12 months. A player of Crangle’s ability doesn’t need advice from a hack, but it is important to keep moving forward in this sport. The landscape changes all the time and pretty soon lifting that World Cup will start to fade to distant memory.
This year features 24 players, again, thus meaning a preliminary round. Not an ideal scenario, but these are the cards that have been dealt so we must get on with it. I’ve had a look at this draw on a few separate occasions, and I’ve flip-flop’d a few times on certain matches, and on certain outcomes, but I’m pretty happy in how I think the games will transpire.
Everyone will need to keep an eye on the three Erry players [(Maher, Buckley & McGrath) there is a 4th but I’ll get to Scanlon later] and try to get them eliminated before they reach home soil on Sunday; because if they make it back to Clara, they’re going to be tougher than ticks on a dogs back to eliminate.
The first section of the top half starts with an all-Clara affair between Jimmy Scanlon and Larry Maher. Maher should win this with a bit to spare, but he’s been caught cold at times in the past, so he’ll need to be sharp-ish. If he is successful he’d move on to play the veteran Westmeath man, Stephen Bray. Stephen knows all the tricks in the book, but he drew a dud by getting a bye to face Larry, and I’m sorry but I don’t hold out much hope for him. Maher likes Tullamore, and when putting well he can be devastating, as a certain John Walsh can be testament to.
The second section features the first home player, and the Tullamore Gents Captain in their historic 50th year anniversary, the man with the plans, the ambitious, popular, and amiable Darren O’Connell. “DOC” faces John O’Neill of Athgarvan and again, I see this as being a straightforward tie for the home player. For too long O’Connell has just made up the numbers and this weekend offers him a great chance to cut loose and have a shot at something. Unfortunately (for both players) he would then face Rene Jan Bloem, and that readers could be an epic tie. I think I’m right in saying that Rene handed Darren his posterior on a plate in a recent Inter-club game in Lough Owel, and that defeat is sure to rankle. It will add a bit of spice to an already tasty duel, and we know from last year that Rene doesn’t bow down to anyone. This tie will be much of a muchness, but something inside me feels that DOC will do well, and I’ll give him the slightest of nods to face Maher in the quarter-finals.
Gerard Fitzpatrick seems to have adapted to life over with the mountain-men of Loughlinstown quite well but he has found himself on the wrong side of the draw as he pits his wits against St Bridget’s Derek Courtney. That’s correct, no typo this time – St. Bridgets. The Messiah has moved to the other side of the hills. And it seems to have done him the world of good as he has been in sparkling form the past few weeks. Crucially he seems to like Tullamore and has done well here in the past.
Mark Millar lies in waiting for Courtney; indeed Millar is another player who it is well acknowledged has moved jurisdictions, this time into Dublin. While the joke is that Keith Redmond is signing up anyone who can break par in order to strengthen their senior team, the mocking is in good spirits. The move has benefited Dublin, and the less experienced players will surely benefit from having a player with the calibre of Millar in their ranks. Derek though is the man in form (who would have predicted that 12 months ago?) and while I’ve been assured that Mark gave an exhibition in Portmarnock a few nights ago, I think Derek will progress to the quarter-finals.
Final section of the top half features three players I admire for a host of different reasons. To begin with Martin O’Neill faces Darren Thornberry. I’ve an amount of respect for Murt and some of the performances he has put in over the years that he’s been on the radar. There have been times where he’s been unlucky, and times where he’s underperformed, but for me he’s one of the main catalysts behind Wexford’s success last ‘Fall. He is the constant traveller from St Pat’s and at some point he’s going to get his just desserts. Darren Thornberry is no mug either. He is a supreme matchplayer, and he’s got a good pedigree now too. This is a tight game, but I’m pulling towards Murt O’Neill to have a crack at the holder John Ross Crangle. To be perfectly honest, I’d worry about Crangle for this one too; there is going to be a lull for the big Loughlinstown man at some point, and now is as good a time as any for him. He had luck on his side at crucial times on route to victory last year (the match with Goggin springs to mind immediately) and this could prove to be a year of recuperation for the big man.
The bottom half of the draw has at least 2 genuine contenders, and a number of intriguing contests (both actual and potential). Mick Hogan is Tullamore through and through, and will go to any lengths to do what needs to be done to help the club out. He is the personification of the word ‘clubman’. He faces the gentleman of Granard, Noel Comiskey. Noel is a very decent player around Tullamore, but Mick should have enough to progress, but it won’t be the walkover it might appear on paper. Waiting for him however, is William Buckley Jnr. These two extremely good friends travel the country’s roads together and will know each other and their games inside out. I’ve a feeling Mick Hogan’s putter will decide this tie. On the balance of averages, you’d fancy Buckley nearly every time, but I’ve a nagging feeling that this could be Hogan’s time.
Stephen Murray has been to the fore in Leinster Pitch and Putt from the beginning of this decade. Sporadic in his performances up to then, he has really become one of the mainstays since the turn of the decade. Yet he is still lacking on the title front. He really should have a county, provincial and Irish open to his name, proof that he definitely is good enough to be spoken as a top player. He arguably has the toughest draw to reach the quarter-finals, as first Joe McGrath and then secondly Frank Ryan stands in his way. McGrath, the heart and soul of Erry, is excellent around the midlands, but Murray might still have enough to advance. Ryan though is a totally different prospect, and this guy is pretty hot around Tullamore. Funnily enough I don’t think that will bother Murray, but I see Ryan progressing to face Hogan in the quarter-final.
Ian Farrelly is a fine player. Humble, intelligent, he’s a gent too. But he has under-achieved in domestic competition, not that this should detract from his International achievements. He has a good match to look forward to against George Beardsley. George has had glimpses of success in the past, and a long run isn’t beyond the imagination this weekend. In what should be a fiercely tight contest, Beardsley could shade it. Sean Downes waits to see who emerges. Perennially a contender, Downes nearly always leaves a mark on these championships. He should make the last 8.
The final group has an unfamiliar look to it, but that is understandable. Tom Roche is another Munster export that landed in Dublin, and did very well to qualify at the first time of asking. He plays Lough Owel’s Gerry Keenan, who I had the pleasure of meeting the other day, another player putting in the effort to practice. I think Roche will progress to meet Paul Nolan, who I expect will win regardless of who he faces in the first round to set up a quarter with Downes and complete the line-up.
Each of the possible quarter-finals will have their merits. A local battle between Maher and O’Connell is sure to attract a good crowd, and the rivalry there would be huge. Both players have their strengths and weaknesses. Conditions and temperament will be pivotal on the day I think. O’Connell is determined to do well, and I think he’ll just shade it.
Derek Courtney facing Martin O’Neill won’t be widely expected I suspect, but I would anticipate this will be a super match. Derek is the form man at the moment though, and I think he’ll make Sunday.
If he eliminates his pal, Mick Hogan then has to face Frank Ryan, a player so comfortable in Tullamore he may as well be a local. Frank to make Sunday would be my prediction.
The final quarter-final I expect is Downes and Nolan. It’s hard to know what to expect from either player. On the surface you’d say Downes, but Nolan is committed and very strong mentally. He suffered at Downes hands in the past and this might make the game more competitive than one would expect normally.
So onto Clara and two semi-final’s of high quality: Darren O’Connell v Derek Courtney & Frank Ryan v Sean Downes.
I am going to go for an All-Kildare final with Derek Courtney as the winner. Hand on heart; I didn’t anticipate writing that 6 months ago! Yes folks, it’s that time of the year again – the time I stop pretending I’m an Administrator, and start pretending I have an insight into the game. It can only mean one thing.....Championship Pitch and Putt is back!