Cahir Park golfers make history as they hold their nerve to take the All-Ireland

Cahir Park were crowned AIG Men’s Pierce Purcell Intermediate Foursomes champions after a fantastic team effort claimed the win at Gort on Saturday.

It was an historic victory for both Cahir (AIG mens) and and Castlecomer ( AIG Womens) clubs with a play-off required to secure silverware in two enthralling finals.

For Cahir Park, they suffered the heartbreak of losing last year’s final to Spanish Point but found redemption and won their first All-Ireland title in dramatic circumstances as they edged out Co Cavan on the 19^th hole.

“Absolutely over the moon, it’s not really after sinking in,” said Willie Morrissey.

“We were beaten in the final last year so we know how it feels for Cavan. We had to lose one to win one we were told and hopefully Cavan can do it next year.

“That (last year) kept use focused, it made us stronger. Last year we were beaten on the 19^th so to win it this year on 19 it’s a great feeling.”

Noel Johnston and Patrick O’Reilly secured the first point of the day for Co Cavan when they won 7&6 but that was soon cancelled out by Willie Morrissey and John Mitchell who had the same comprehensive win.

Meanwhile, Co Cavan won seven holes in a row in match one, as Barry McDermott and Darren Greene completed a sensational comeback for a 2&1 success. 

John Molloy and John Cashman forced a play-off after they won on 18 in match four, and then it was left for Morrissey and Mitchell to win the title with a short putt on the 19^th.

There was further drama in the AIG Women’s Intermediate Foursomes, as Athenry and Castlecomer also went to extra holes.

Helen Murphy and Ita Madigan won the first match with Aoife McCormack and Fiona Burke hitting back for Athenry. Teresa Manning and Emma Walsh put Castlecomer 2-1 up but it came down to 18, where Ailish Duke and Kara O’Neill won their match.

And after two thrilling play-off holes Castlecomer won the green pennant, it happened in driving rain but was no less special for Castlecomer captain Honoria Fogarty.

“It’s brilliant, brilliant, a dream come true. We never expected to get this far,” said Fogarty.

“There is no words to explain how the whole team and club are feeling today after this win.

“It came to the turn and I said to two of the girls it’s Amen Corner, you can pull it back, it crawled back.

“So we had two wins, down the 19^th as it had done yesterday, took it on the 19^th.”