No joy for Collinstown at National Matchplay Finals
Ger Ward (Ladies Champion) & Ray Murphy (Gents Champion)
No joy for Collinstown at National Matchplay
Collinstown had three representatives at this year’s National Matchplay finals in Lucan. All performed admirably but unfortunately exited at an early stage. Peter Dolan was paired against Dublin stalwart Dennis Monaghan. Peter put up a good fight but ultimately went down on the 35th. Alan Hanlon had the unenviable task of facing the home club favourite, Anthony “Skinner” Malone. This turned out to be a high class match but eventually Skinner got the better of A.H. by a margin of 4&3. Finally our club chairman Michael Buckley faced Tipperary’s John Fitzgerald. Mick took command of this match early on and eventually ran out a very impressive winner giving us a Sunday morning contestant.
In the second round, Mick had the unenviable task of trying to do what Alan Hanlon could not do the previous day – that was to defeat the Skinner Malone. Mick was not overawed by the occasion and came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. He led for most of the first round until suddenly Skinner found an extra gear. 7 birdies on the trot turned the match around and suddenly Skinner was in control. Mick was not to be outdone though and a spirited comeback saw the match revert to all square with 6 to play. A superb last four holes though from Skinner eventually got the better of the Glenidan man and so ended Collinstown’s interest in the championship.
Ray Murphy from St Anne’s in Cork went on to defeat Cement’s Sean Goggin in the final. In the Ladies final Ger Ward from Portmarnock defeated Marian Byrne from St Bridgets