Dunmurry’s senior team return to form to set up semi-final tie at Open course

The Dunmurry Senior Cup team who qualified for the Ulster Finals at Royal Portrush in August - from left Glen McAuley, Stephen Crowe, Ian Moore, Graeme Dickson, Darren Crowe and Club Captain Lawrence Patterson.

In a twist of fate, they set up the chance to avenge that defeat as, after beating Shandon Park and Belvoir Park, they’ll play Bann first on finals day at Royal Portrush on Sunday 17 August.

The winners will play Rossapenna or Cairndhu for a place in the All-Ireland finals at Carton House in September.

Against top qualifier Shandon Park, things did not look to be going Dunmurry’s way with Stephen Crowe and Glen McAuley both three down after nine holes and the other three games level.

In the first match, Darren Crowe edged home one up on the 18th, while Graeme Dickson produced a birdie three on the 18th to win the second match.

Stephen Crowe was unable to recover and lost four and three.

Ian Moore was two up with two to go but his opponent hit him with two birdies on the 17th and 18th.

However, they didn’t need to go to a play-off as Glenn McAuley produced a tremendous back nine to win on the 17th and send his team through. The match changed in Glenn’s favour when he chipped in for a birdie at the 11th and followed it up with a birdie two at the 12th.

In the afternoon against Belvoir, it was another close encounter and by the ninth, there was little to choose with Glen McAuley again three down in the final match.

Stephen Crowe recovered from his early morning defeat to win his match two and one, and was quickly followed by Darren Crowe also winning two and one.

Graeme Dickson was unable to clinch a second win of the day, losing by one hole.

Ian Moore was four up with four to play. Despite losing 15 and 16 and hitting a wayward drive at the 17th, he clinched victory for Dunmurry.

Meanwhile, Glen was called in one up after 16.