This section appears to be a little more straightforward, and should navigated with little or no difficulty. But who, I hear you ask?
Well two names jump off the page immediately, that of Chris Gallagher (the second g is silent, he insists), and Darren Collins. In a competition of this nature, a local player usually fares quite well. Usually there is what is commonly known as a bolter, and usually one of the underlings rises up and stakes a claim at godliness. Chris Gallagher can be all of those players this weekend.
It hasn’t been determined if it was the home-cooking or Lucan that brought him back home from Australia, but Pitch and Putt is a delighted beneficiary. Chris was a good player before he travelled the globe, with some titles to his belt and good Championship experience. There is no reason why he couldn’t go on and emulate JR Crangle’s stellar performances. No better to time to start than this weekend Chris!

His first opponent is Tullamore’s John Fleming. The proud Arden man likes nothing better than to wag the tails of the rivals down the N80 in Clara, and what better way to do it than by making waves for the Blue and White in Lucan this weekend. Alas, for the man who pushed them all close in the 2003 Strokeplay, he is playing a fellow on a different plain at present. I suspect that will become obvious on Saturday morning. But not without a fight, as Fleming is quite spirited at the best of times.

Next game up is that between Jim Judge of Cement and Mick Walsh of Parteen. The move to Shandon hasn’t gone as swimmingly for Judge as it has for Millar, but I understand that is down to the nuances of business, and the strains that being your own employer plays on your backswing. Even before the move Judge was a frustrating player. Great one week, middling the next, he was always capable of the spectacular. While reports of sunglasses and skinny jeans sales rocketing in the Dublin 7 area are unconfirmed, there can be no doubt that the man with the rock and roll looks and personality will bring a touch of class to the other side of the city.
The important question of what will he bring to his game with Mick Walsh is the one that needs to be answered, and indeed how will Walsh respond? I think this will be a tough game for Walsh, and if Judge reaches even a modicum of his ability then the result should be a formality.

Darragh O’Keeffe versus Harry O’Hanlon will be a curious tie. This is most definitely a game that the neutral should look out for. Darragh O’Keeffe has blosommed into a decent player and the former Munster Juvenile Matchplay champion will have nothing to fear from the much-travelled O’Hanlon. The Cavan based Athlone man is as honest as the day is long, and there are few who spread the Pitch and Putt gospel as far and wide as Harry. Some of the form O’Hanlon produced in the first half of last season would be enough to see him seriously trouble O’Keeffe, and to be fair to O’Hanlon, his route to the finals was tricky (in relative terms) so it’s not like he doesn’t have a chance. But I expect O’Keeffe to win.

The final match sees Ryston’s Darren Keogh face the former champion Darren Collins of the St. Anne’s club in Cork city. These two will know each other well, and the recently-crowned Kildare Strokeplay Champion will provide a formidable challenge to Collins. This should be one of the games of the round, and while it would be foolish to suggest that Collins is anywhere near the level he was at when he demolished all in his path some years ago, he is still a great competitor, and if the weather is unkind (unlikely at present) then there is no better man. Keogh’s confidence is sure to be high after winning what is one of the hardest title’s to win in regional pitch and putt, which should only add to the encounter. I have to go with my head on this one though, and the head says Darren Collins.

That provides us with the chance of two lovely matches, with Chris Gallagher against Jim Judge, and Darragh O’Keeffe against Darren Collins. I’ll keep this as simple as I think it will be on Sunday morning. I only see victory here for Gallagher and Collins, and barring a disaster I’m sure that is what is on the cards, to set up a cracking last 16 tie between the Dub and the Rebel. But as Christoph Lambert used to say in Highlander, “there can be only one!” and while I hope nobody goes as far as beheading the loser, there will only be anguish for whoever loses out as I reckon this will be a tight bout. Both players have their strengths and weaknesses, with this game likely to get lots of attention from the gathered masses, it will be crucial for Chris to remain composed when the vital putts present themselves. If he can get on top early on, he can kick on, and that I think he will do, as I believe Chris Gallagher will be quarter-finalist 3.