Junior Cup v Balcarrick
Sutton bow out in the Second Round after a titanic battle! (Lost 3-2)
Despite being on the wrong side of the result, this was truly Interclub golf at it’s very best with 4 of the 5 matches being decided on 18th/19th holes. The quality of golf on display in both venues was exceptional and credit to all of the players for the grit and determination shown in the heat of battle.
Match 1 at home featured Junior Cup debutante Donncha Butler who has been on a strong run of form and unquestionably one of the in-form golfers in the club. He got off to a strong start, comfortably driving the first green and putting his opponent under pressure from the off. He built a solid 2 up lead on the front nine but couldn’t keep the momentum and his experienced opponent dug in to bring the match all the way to the 18th where he won the point for Balcarrick. Nonetheless, a fine effort from Donncha who was conceding 4 shots on the handicap; a huge difference at this level.
Luke O’Reilly led the charge in Balcarrick and not surprisingly was drawn against their lowest index player – bang on the 2.5 handicap limit. He got off to a solid start but fell behind around the turn following a birdie blitz from Balcarrick eventually succumbing on the 14th hole. Paddy Lennon played in the anchor match in Sutton and in another close game Paddy lead for the entire match (apart from 1 hole) and clinched the point on 18th.
The remaining two matches can only be described as box office, each worthy of an individual report!
Dylan Flanagan was second out in Sutton and the match ebbed and flowed until reaching the 14th where he found himself 3 down. His caddy (Bryan Coughlan) was calmness personified all the way through (or so it looked) in keeping his man focussed and resolute. Dylan dusted himself down, put on the after burners and finished birdie, par, birdie to clinch it on the last hole in a memorable comeback.
Meanwhile out in Balcarrick a second Junior Cup rookie was involved in another humdinger of a match. Philip Riordan, playing his first ever Interclub match, was the embodiment of true match-play tenacity. His Balcarrick opponent threw everything at him, including 3 birdies and an eagle. Philip responded with 5 birdies of his own and when the match reached 15 he was 1 down. Clutch up and downs on 15 & 16 kept him in it and a solid par on 17 for a win meant the match was now level.
Word had filtered through from Sutton that the overall match score was now 2-2 and so the result hinged on this game. The remaining action was relayed to Cush Point via Facetime to an enthralled audience, including our VIP American guests on the day Matt Ginella and his wife Katie. Both players parred 18 and it was back to the first hole for a playoff. Philip hit first and knocked a smooth 5 iron to the left side of fairway on the short par 4. Balcarrick also hit an iron which drifted on the breeze and seemed destined for the hazard. However, luck was on his side and it stopped inches from disaster with a perfect lie from where he pitched to 3 feet. Philip also hit the green and two putted for par but full credit to the opposition he then made the putt and the match was agonisingly lost.
This was a gut wrenching defeat the manner of which makes it even more so, having battled back so well to be denied at the very end demonstrates how cruel sport can be. However, all of the players can be immensely proud of their efforts and we look forward to the rest of this season and next year with optimism.
