McDonnell Cup V Skerries
McDonnell Cup Victory vs Skerries (3.5 - 1.5) 25/05/25
After the rain soaked / flooded courses on Good Friday during Round 1, we were extremely hopeful that weather conditions would not feature in our match report for Round 2, after glorious weather for most of the previous 2 weeks. However, that was not the case, yes it was drier (only 4 or 5 heavy showers), but the cold winds were reaching 15 m/s on occasions, blowing from the direction of Baldoyle Library to Sutton Clubhouse. Nobody except the 4 players in each group stood on the first tee. The wind was definitely going to have a big effect on how the matches in Sutton concluded.
Imagine the following shots being played and you will see what conditions were like.
Tee shot on first hole ending up on the beach, (Not Baldoyle side but Burrow Beach).
Tee shot from 8th Tee being lost in Burrow Road hedge.
Tee shot from 9th tee ending up behind 1st Green (Against the cross wind )
Conditions in Skerries were similar with more trees but slightly less coastal winds.
The Home Team were led off by Johnny Lappin and David Jones who both had lost shots since Round 1. Johnny was giving 5 strokes to one player. This was a tight match all way through with never more than a hole between the sides. Lady luck was on Skerries side when they grabbed a 2 Up victory on Hole 17.
Second out were the ever steady John Flanagan and flamboyant debutant David Lawlor in his “almost” Premier Panel Gilet with chevrons on the back. (Purchased from Paddy Devine on the eve of the match). Again this match was very tight over the first 9 holes, with the Sutton pair convinced that if they could get 2 holes up, they would win. This tactic worked well until the 16th when they were pegged back to 1 Up, however David played a very steady lag putt on 17 to seal a 2 Up Victory.
In Skerries Dan O’Grady and Super Sub James Nolan (called in as an 11th hour replacement for Mark Banahan) played very solid golf and two birdies in two holes helped to a 4 Up lead by the 9th.. The match concluded on the 15th with a 4 Up victory. How times change as you grow older, James was part of the “Suttonians 00” successful rugby team, coached over the years by Dan and here they were “peers” in action together planning the early victory.
Chronologically the final match in both locations were following similar time and scoring patterns. Sutton were well ahead after 9 and an early finish in both games was possible but Skerries fought back gallantly with some good golf including birdies and pars. Telephone calls and texts were being exchanged, Person to Person and WhatsApp groups relaying the up to date positions and likely shot outcomes.
The clock was approaching 8pm. Sutton had 2 points in the bag, with Skerries having 1 point. Brian Nevin and Justin Ray were level after 18 in Skerries and heading down 19. Paul Leech and Tim Savage (another Debutant) were one up after 17 in Sutton. Both Sutton balls were on the fairway on 18, with one Skerries ball on the beach and the other close by the 1st hole. Tim’s 2nd on 18, with his newly acquired skill of hitting low rescue shots was shot of the day to the front of the green, Skerries were eventually on the green and were left with a putt for a 6. Tim had a very tricky putt from about 35 feet, he hit it to within 5 feet and with 2 putts for the win he lagged his putt to the edge of the hole for a 2 Up win and overall victory.
Justin and Brian had a long putt on the 19th to win the match when news of the win in Sutton came through. Well Played.
A fantastic team effort on another difficult day, matches ebbed and flowed but the resilience of the players showed through. Thanks for your efforts on the day and in your preparations for the match. The support of the wider squad is also acknowledged in pushing the team to perform and earn their places.
Our next match is due to take place before 23rd June and draw for our opponent is imminent.
Thanks to Skerries for contributing to an exciting match and especially to their manager Neil Monahan for his efficiency in arranging the match etc. There was a little concern in the Sutton camp prior to the game, when we heard that Gerry Lloyd (SGC Member and former Captain and President and current member of Skerries) was managing Skerries in Sutton against us. When asked about a possible conflict of roles, Gerry quickly pointed out to me that he was available for selection by Sutton, but I did not ask him. Lesson learned quickly there. It was a pleasure to work beside Gerry on the day.
Special thanks to Mark Logan who looked after the team and logistics on the day in Skerries and Mark Hogan who travelled from the Barton Shield match in Howth for the 2nd 9 in Skerries. Thanks also to the loyal supporters who come out every time to follow the matches in Sutton, it is really appreciated and helps keep the team going.
Home Team with Brian Mc Donnell . David pulling up the zip of his new SGC Gilet 😂
Tim and Paul planning the putting strategy on 18th green, totally ignoring the rainbow.