​Caolan Rafferty was part of the Great Britain & Ireland team which lost 16-9 to Continent of Ireland in the St Andrews’s Trophy at Royal Portcawl in Wales last week.

Rafferty picked up one win from four outings as he partnered Dominic Clemons to a 5&4win over Lars Van der Lights and Jerry Ji in the Day 2 foursomes.

The pair lost their Day One foursomes by 3&2 to Tim Wiedemeyer and Richard Tedor. In the afternoon singles Rafferty lost 2&1 to Jerry Ji on Day One and 3&2 to Luis Masavue Roncal on Day Two.

​Eoin Murphy was Dundalk’s only representative at the South of Ireland Championship in Lahinch where he shot rounds of 76 and 72 to qualify in 37th place for the matchplay phase. Unfortunately, he was beaten on the 19th in the first round by Jonathan Keane of Lahinch.

An exceptional splurge of scoring over eight holes on the back nine that included two birdies and three pars saw Christopher McGeady (22) with 46 points emerge the winner of the weekend Singles Stableford competition.
 
After a solid outward nine of 20 points, boosted by pars for three pointers at the par three fifth and par four eighth and a par five at the seventh hole for four points, Christopher went on a scoring streak on the back nine. As well as birdies for four points at the par four 14th and par three 17th holes, he tagged on three pointers with pars at the par four 15th and 18th holes and par three 13th to complete the back nine with 26 points.
 
His better back nine saw him squeeze ahead of Conor Oakes (17), who also had 46
points  but had to settle for the runners-up prize. He set out in strident fashion
parring the first hole for three points and went on to birdie the par four third and par five seventh holes for four pointers, as well as parring the par three fifth for another three points, to turn on 24 points. He scored solidly on the back nine, birding the par five 10th for four points and the par three 13th and 17th holes for three pointers, to come home in 22 points.
 
The divisional winners were Brian Gaughran (13) with 42 points, Jack McCaughey
(13) on 41 points and Michael Begley (27) on 45 points.
 
An exciting back nine of four under par that included five birdies and three pars saw low handicapper Clem Walshe (5) with 42 points claim the top prize in the midweek Open Singles Stableford Competition sponsored by McKenna Man.
 
Clem finished his outward nine on 18 points before producing some scintillating play on the back nine, birding the par five 10th and 12th holes, the par four 14th and 18th holes and the par three 17th hole, all for three pointers, as well as adding a further three points with a par four at the 11th hole, to come home in 24 points.
 
His better back nine edged out Ross Kehoe (18) who also finished on 42 points but had 22 points on the back nine. His round included five three pointers in a row from the 10th to the 14th holes as well as back-to-back three pointers at the par four 16th and par three 17th holes.
 
Division 1 winner Shane Hession (3) also carded 42 points for a round that was highlighted by an eagle three at the par five 10th hole. The other divisional winners were Paul Mellon (22) and Conor Lynch (25) both with 41 points.
 
Saturday, 20 July and Sunday, 21 July - Singles Stableford – Overall: Christopher McGeady (22) 46pts, Conor Oakes (17) 46pts. Division 1: Brian Gaughran (13) 42pts, Rory Henry (8) 42pts. Division 2: Jack McCaughey (13) 41pts, Michael Coburn (140 40pts, Division 3: Michael Begley (20) 45pts, Patrick Wadding (27) 43pts. Gross Recognition: Robert White (1) 36pts.
 
Wednesday, 24 July - McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford – Overall: Clem Walshe (5) 42pts, Ross Kehoe (18) 42pts. Division 1: Shane Hession (3) 42pts. Division 2: Paul Mellon (22) 41pts. Division 3: Conor Lynch (25) 41pts. Gross Recognition: Ciaran Johnston (+2) 38pts.
 
ENDS

The North Leinster Mixed have reached a semi final which takes place against Headfort on Wednesday 24 July at 3.30pm. Headfort have home advantage with three matches being played on the Old Course.

The Intermediate Foursomes team play Rathcore in their North Leinster Final on Sunday 28 July at 1.10pm in the neutral venue of Co. Meath Golf Club.

The panel on Sunday will be made up of Jacinta Foran, Elizabeth McGuinness, Mary Carthy, LVC Sally McDonnell, Caroline Dunne, Mary Laverty, Elaine Ward, Grainne Mullins and Mary Lou Grennan. Managers are Ann Hopper and LC Mags Coburn. 

We wish both teams the very best of luck in the upcoming matches and all support is greatly appreciated. 

On the inter-club front the Newsam Cup team beat Blackbush 4-1 in the quarter-final.

​The three wins were secured by Richard Copas and Alan Uzell (4&3), John Oakes & PJ Dooley (5&4) and Ray Pepper & Paul Mellon (2&1) while Michael Hamilton & John McEneaney and John McGeady & Gavin McDonnell were called in. 

A memorable front nine comprising of three pars and six one overs set Sean Dunne (25) well on his way to winning the midweek Open Singles Stableford Competition sponsored by McKenna Man with 44 points.
After parring the par four first hole for three points, Sean maintained a solid scoring sequence for the remaining eight holes, highlights of which included three pointers at the third, fourth, sixth and seventh holes before parring the par four eighth hole for four points to reach the turn in 25 points.
His back nine of 19 points was more mixed but was boosted by pars at the par five 12th hole for three points and par four 16th hole for four points.
Kevin O’Connor (26) ran Sean close but had to settle for the runner up prize with 43 points. His solid outward nine of 24 points included four pointers at the par five sixth, which he birdied, and par four eighth with a par.
He set off on the back nine in impressive style with three pointers at the 10th, 11th and 13th holes and a par at the par five 12th for four points but was unable to maintain his scoring momentum at the later holes, coming home in 19 points.
The divisional winners, Ciaran Johnston (1), Pat O’Hanlon (17) and Colm Garvey (23), all finished with 41 points.
It was a particularly memorable day for Jimmy O’Connor (20) who had a hole in one on the par three 13th hole.
Wednesday, 17 July- McKenna Man Open Singles Stableford Competition. Overall: Sean Dunne (25) 44pts, Kevin O’Connor (26) 43pts. Division 1: Ciaran Johnston (1) 41pts. Division 2: Pat O’Hanlon (17) 41pts. Division 3: Colm Garvey (23) 41pts. Gross: Ciaran Johnston 40pts.

Lady Captain Mags' Competition to the ladies was held over two days on Tuesday 9th July and Saturday 13th July 2024 and it was a huge success. The wet weather didn’t dampen the smiles on the first day which saw Lady Captain Mags greet all the ladies going out to play.
The first day saw some terrific scores returned including a 66 from Grainne Mullins and 67 from both Lady Vice Sally McDonnell and Briege Renaghan.
But it was Mary Meegan who held out to be the overall winner taking in scores of 69 respectively on both days to be the outright winner with a fabulous score of 138. Mary was presented with a beautiful necklace from Lady Captain and spoke of her delight on receiving the beautiful prize.
The overall runner up was Grainne Mullins with a fabulous score of 140.
Congratulations to Ellen Mc Eneaney who won the overall Gross with a score of 169 over the two days.
Well done also to Lady Vice Captain Sally McDonnell who came third with a score of 141 and Joan Corrigan who came fourth with a score of 142.

DAY 1, JULY 9th:

DIVISION 1:
WINNER:                   Theresa Connolly               69 Net                       
GROSS                      Anna Rowland                    83 Gross                                           
RUNNER UP:           Elizabeth McGuinness       69 Net (35.5)                                  
THIRD:                      Bernie Mac Guinness         72 Net                                               

DIVISION 2:
WINNER:                   Briege Renaghan                67 Net                                               
RUNNER UP:            Mary Laverty                       68 Net                                   
THIRD:                       Joan McKenna                    70 Net
                                                           
DIVISION3:
WINNER:                   Susan Morrison                  70 Net                                   
RUNNER UP:            Denise Morrison                72 Net           
THIRD:                      Catherine Hogan Conlon  72 (38) Net                                      
                                               
LADIES 9 HOLE:
WINNER:                                                     Anne McEntegart  (38.8) (22)   22pts  
RUNNER UP:                                              Deirdre Wilson  (39.5) (23)       20pts                                       
WINNER FRONT NINE:                            Joanne Lynch   32 Net                  
WINNER BACK NINE:                              Jacinta Foran   33 Net      
NEAREST THE PIN (5TH HOLE):            Criona O’Reilly  (6ft 4inches)     
NEAREST THE PIN: (17th HOLE)            Maura Coyle ( 15ft)
 
DAY 2, JULY 13th:


DIVISION 1:
WINNER:                               Elaine Ward                         67 Net                       
GROSS                                   Katie Rowland                     82 Gross
RUNNER UP:                        Ruth Connolly                     67 (36) Net  
THIRD:                                   Mary Lou Grennan            69 Net                       

DIVISION2:
WINNER:                                 Gillian Murphy                68 Net                                   
RUNNER UP:                           Teresa Matthews            72 Net           
THIRD:                                      Margaret McCourt         72 Net (on Count back)               
                                                           
DIVISION 3:
WINNER:                               Nicola Fee                            65 Net                       
RUNNER UP:                        Deborah Herr                      66 Net                                   
THIRD:                                   Paula Cahill                          68 Net                       
                                               
LADIES 9 HOLE:
WINNER:                   Rita Kelly                                           24Pts
RUNNER UP:            Anne Crombie                                 22Pts
 
WINNER FRONT NINE:                    Nuala Henry                     33 Net                       
WINNER BACK NINE:                      Grainne Jevens                 31.5 Net                   
NEAREST THE PIN (5TH HOLE):      Deborah Herr                    (1Ft 6.5 inches)
NEAREST THE PIN: (17th HOLE)    Ellen McEneaney             (12Ft 1Inch)
NON- QUALIFYING WINNER:     Margaret Gaughran         65 Net
           

 
 
LADY CAPTAINS MAGS OVERALL PRIZE WINNERS
 
OVERALL WINNER:                      Mary Meegan                     138     (Net)      

OVERALL RUNNER UP:            Grainne Mullins                   140     (Net)

OVERALL GROSS:                    Ellen McEneaney                 169     (Gross)

OVERALL THIRD:                       Sally McDonnell                   141     (Net)

OVERALL FOURTH:                   Joan Corrigan                    142    (Net)                

A storming outward nine that accumulated 24 points set Gearoid Ó Conluain (17) well on his way to taking the main prize in the weekend Singles Stableford competition with a final tally of 46 points, five clear of his nearest contenders.
Gearoid parred the first two holes for three pointers and built on that impressively with pars at the par four fourth, par three fifth and par five sixth holes, all for three pointers, before adding a further three points with a par at the par four eighth hole to turn in 24 points.
He continued his consistent scoring on the back nine, the highlight of which was a birdie three at the par four 11th for four points, and a brace of three pointers with pars at the par five 12th and par four 18th holes to come home in 22 points.
The divisional winners were Eoghan McKenna (7) 40 pts, Sean Morgan (17) 39 pts and Laurence Hanratty (28) 41 pts.
Sunday, 14 July - Singles Stableford – Overall: Gearoid O’Conluain (17) 46pts, Pat O’Hanlon (18) 41pts. Division 1: Eoghan McKenna (7) 40pts, John Mulligan (13) 39pts. Division 2: Sean Morgan (17) 39pts, Declan Muckian (16) 38pts. Division 3: Laurence Hanratty (28) 41pts, Larry Curtin (22) 40pts. Gross Recognition: Ciaran Johnston (1) 38pts.

​The Junior Cup team have qualified for the Leinster North final after a 4-1 win over Corballis. There were wins for Odhran MacShane, Conor Murphy and Brian Óg Renaghan and halves for Ciaran Traynor and Clem Walshe.

The Senior Cup came agonisingly close to causing a major upset when they lost 3-2 to Castleknock with the final match being decided on the 22nd tie hole. Having trailed 4-1 halfway through their Leinster North quarter-final at Westmanstown, Dundalk came bouncing back down the back nine.

While Neal MacKell and Ben Cahill both taste defeat there were wins for Chris Clarke and Joe Laverty to leave the match level at 2-2 as Eoin Murphy headed down the 19th with 2022 Irish Close Champion Quentin Carew with the Castleknock man eventually prevailing on the 22nd hole of an absorbing contest.

​The Boys Foursomes team’s run also came to an end last week as they lost away to Clontarf.

Fergus O’Callaghan produced the round of his life to win the 2024 Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan Herr and Deborah Herr.

He shot a four over par 76 to win by two shots from Sean Matthews and three from John Paul Casey with all three shooting in the seventies.
​
O’Callaghan, whose form, by his own admission, had been indifferent in recent week, turned it on when it really mattered. He opened with two pars followed by two bogies and a par at the par-three fifth before recording the first of his birdies at the par five sixth.

Two more pars followed before a bogey on the ninth saw him turn in two over par 38.  Pars at the 10th and 12th and a bogey at the 11th followed before another birdie arrived at the par three 13th. After parring 14 and 15, O’Callaghan bogeyed 16 and 17 before clinching victory with a par on the last as he came home in 38 for an overall of 78.

Matthews was just as steady going out in 39 and home in 39 with those two extra bogies the difference between him and O’Callaghan.

Vincent Jackson (14) took the nett prize with a 66 while Paul O’Callaghan had a hole in one when he nailed his seven iron tee shot at the 13th.

Billy Curran won the Minor Scratch Cup which was also sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr. He shot 85 after going in out in 40 thanks to four pars and a birdie on the ninth. He came home in 45 despite starting the back nine with two double bogeys but steadying the ship with three successive pars from the 13th.

​Curran had one shot to spare after a back surge by Patrick Clarke came up one shot short.

After managing just one par on the front nine as he went out in 48, Clarke charged down the back nine and recorded one birdie and six pars as he came home in 38 for an 86 and second overall with Conor McClenaghan a shot further back in third. Robert McCaughey (21) shot 67 to win the Nett Prize.

Saturday, July 6 – Intermediate Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr – Overall: Fergus O'Callaghan 76, Sean Matthews 78, John Paul Casey 79. Nett: Vincent Jackson (14) 66.

Saturday, July 6 – Minor Scratch Cup sponsored by Captain Ultan and Deborah Herr – Overall:  Billy Curran 85, Patrick Clarke 86, Conor McClenaghan 87. Nett: Robert McCaughey (21) 67.

​Caolan Rafferty is a member of the Irish team competing in the European Men’s Team Championship this week in Turin. He has also qualified through the World Rankings for the Great Britain & Ireland team that will face Europe in the  St Andrews Trophy in Royal Porthcawl from July 25 to 26.

Eoin Murphy earned four points from six matches to help Leinster win the Men’s Inter-provincials at Slieve Russell. He partnered Evan Farrell of Co Louth in the foursomes to victory against Muster and Connacht and then won his singles matches against Munster’s Dean Riordan and Ulster’s Aaron Marshall.

​Juvenile Coordinator Vincent Conlon has been named as the Leinster Boys U18 Captain for 2024 having led the province to victory in last year’s inter-provincial championship.