Double delight as Lurgan are crowned Ulster champions

A remarkable weekend was completed for Lurgan Ladies when Lynne Hanna raised her hand in victory after holing the winning putt for the Junior Cup team in the Ulster finals on Sunday.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Aug 2015, 09:00 BST
Murphy, Mrs McBride Captain of Massereene GC, Sheena McStay Team Captain, Fiona Cummins Lady Captain, Fiona McGrady, Sian Mulholland, Lynne Hanna &and Bronagh McKavanagh.Murphy, Mrs McBride Captain of Massereene GC, Sheena McStay Team Captain, Fiona Cummins Lady Captain, Fiona McGrady, Sian Mulholland, Lynne Hanna &and Bronagh McKavanagh.
Murphy, Mrs McBride Captain of Massereene GC, Sheena McStay Team Captain, Fiona Cummins Lady Captain, Fiona McGrady, Sian Mulholland, Lynne Hanna &and Bronagh McKavanagh.

This was on the back of the Senior Foursomes team’s victory on Saturday seeing both teams crowned Ulster Champions and now going on to compete for the All-Ireland titles in Trim.

Both matches were very tight affairs. On Saturday Annabel Wilson and Sheena McStay treated their opponents to exhibition golf to win their match 7/5.

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The other two matches were much tighter affairs with Niamh Ward and Fiona Cummins losing by one hole leaving Niamh McSherry and Orla O’Dowd to be the deciding match. Niamh and Orla had been one or two down for most of the day but they kick started their comeback when they halved the 14th in birdie twos, followed by a miraculous half at 15 after finding the water.

Lurgan Senior Foursomes team who areUlster Champions, included are Mauve Cummins, Orla ODowd, Fiona Cummins, Naimh McSherry, Naimh Ward, Annabel Wilson, Sheena McStay and Christine Hagan.Lurgan Senior Foursomes team who areUlster Champions, included are Mauve Cummins, Orla ODowd, Fiona Cummins, Naimh McSherry, Naimh Ward, Annabel Wilson, Sheena McStay and Christine Hagan.
Lurgan Senior Foursomes team who areUlster Champions, included are Mauve Cummins, Orla ODowd, Fiona Cummins, Naimh McSherry, Naimh Ward, Annabel Wilson, Sheena McStay and Christine Hagan.

Niamh McSherry showed all her class and experience, ably assisted by Orla, to go on and win 16 and 17 to go from 1 down to 1 up and a regulation par at the last was good enough to see them over the line and the team to lift the title.

On Sunday Cara Murphy and Sian Mulholland led the way by winning their matches 5/4. Fiona McGrady and Christine Hagan both faced ladies very much on their game and lost their matches leaving Lynne Hanna out on the course carrying all the team’s hopes.

Lynne didn’t shirk from the task and again it was at the 14th that the tide turned. Lynne hit a beautiful shot in to five feet and when her opponent didn’t up and down from the bunker Lynne went one up.

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With an ever growing crowd following this deciding match both players found the fairway with their drives but Malone found a watery grave with their second and Lynne took the advantage to go two up with three to play.

The 16th was a nervy affair and Lynne just missed a tricky downhill putt to go back to only one up. The tension was definitely rising but Lynne, coached on by her caddy Bronagh, and to the delight of the Lurgan supporters, showed her determination and won the 17th and secured the Ulster title for Lurgan.

Lady Captain Fiona thanks all the players, team captains, caddies and travelling support. Everyone involved contributed to what was a major achievement and to a weekend that will long be remembered.

Related topics:Ulster