Co. Sligo Golf Club

The Co. Sligo team represented Ireland at this year’s championship by virtue of their status as Fred Daly Trophy All-Ireland champions.

The championship was played on the demanding South course at La Manga which with a par of 73 has staged many major professional and amateur events. The 3 day championship format of medal match play differed somewhat from the national championship which the Sligo team secured at Westport in August.

This is the first time the Co Sligo club has represented Ireland at this particular event and follow the clubs senior cup team who also represented Ireland in the European championships in Corfu last October. The strong team of Rory McNamara, Michael Durcan, Stephen Brady, Tony McDaid, Steffan O’Hara and Gerard Finnegan fancied their chances despite the absence of Tommy McGowan due to academic commitments. Travelling reserves Rory O’Connor and Thomas Finnegan provided support if called upon.

Difficult opener

Day 1 saw the Irish paired against the English champions, Hallamshire, in what looked a difficult opener. However with excellent scores of 72 by Michael Durcan and Stephen Brady, 73 by Tony McDaid, 77 by Steffan O’Hara and a 79 by Gerard Finnegan ensured a 5-1 victory.

Wales, represented by Carmarthen, provided the opposition on day 2 and following their defeat by Scotland on day 1 were in determined mood. In a nail-biting encounter the Irish saw off their opponents 4-2, the result masking a tremendous effort by the Welsh. Once again scoring was of the highest order with Durcan 75, Brady 74, (both securing a half match) McDaid 74, O’Hara 73 and Finnegan 76 securing the victory.

England, meanwhile had secured a half match with the Scottish thus leaving the Irish in front going into the third and final day.

From the outset on day 3 the Scottish champions from Craigielaw showed their pedigree and in the early stages were ahead in all but one match. Match of the week saw Rory McNamara shoot a two under par round of 71 but only to go down by one shot to the Scottish number one.

This was a remarkable match with McNamara one shot adrift after 15 holes and then finishing 3,3,3 (birdie, par, eagle) in an effort to retrieve the deficit only to be matched shot for shot by his opponent. Stephen Brady always looked in control shooting his third consistent round of the week 74, to secure a point for the Irish. Indeed Brady would finish runner up in the individual gross and nett aggregate competitions for the week.

The remaining matches were in the balance until the finish although it appeared that the Scottish had the edge in all cases. However points secured by Michael Durcan and anchor man Gerard Finnegan gave the Irish a 3-3 result which was sufficient to claim victory and be crowned Home Nations Champions.

Team captain Gerry McManus graciously acknowledged the contributions of all teams to this excellent and well organised event and commiserated with the Scottish side that had come so close to victory in their second consecutive appearance.

The championship trophy was presented by legendary TV golf commentator, Alex Hay to junior captain Stephen Brady who in turn made a small presentation to each of the other teams. The Sligo team had excellent support in La Manga with club President Michael O’Brien and Captain for 2007 Michael McNamara in attendance among the fifty strong travelling party.

Victory in this event marks the climax to a remarkable journey for the Co Sligo boys’ team who remain undefeated since the commencement of the Fred Daly Trophy event early last year.

Congratulations to all concerned on this remarkable achievement and no doubt we will hear more of the individual players in the 2008 season. Highlights of the event will be televised on January 30th.