IJM Match Play Finals produce thrilling contests

​The IJM Match Play Scratch Cup Finals were held over the weekend of September  21 and 22 and were contested by the top four in each of the four IJM Golfer of the Year categories.
The Senior Cup was won by Conall Murdock who, after seeing off Ciaran Traynor in the semi-final, faced tough opposition in the final against Aidan Lawless who had won a tense battle with Paul Murphy which was only decided on the 18th. In the final Conall continued his fine form over the weekend by winning the first hole and although Aidan fought hard to keep in touch Conall eventually won 3 & 2.
Billy Cairns won the Junior Cup after an exciting final against Brian Fennelly which he eventually won 2&1. Billy had beaten Eddie Rogers in the semi-final while Brian had seen off the challenge off Terry Conlon.
Having won the Gold Medal for the Club’s major matchplay competition Dennis Cunningham was favourite to take the Intermediate Cup but he had to fight all the way against Senan Duffy in the semi-final. Duffy led for most of the match but Cunningham finally got the better of him on the 20th. In the other semi-final Ken Norton also had a tough battle against Sean Gallagher whom he eventually beat on the 19th. In the final Dennis won the first hole and never lost the lead eventually closing the match out on the 17th for a 3 & 1 win.
Robert McCaughey won the Minor Cup but he too had to fight all the way in his semi-final against Paul Culligan with the match only being decided on the 19th. That earned him a place in the final against Cian Corbett who had beaten two-time Golfer of the Year Brian Crombie in another close match. The final was close over the front nine but Robert pulled away after the turn and eventually won by 4&3.