Another win for Tipperary golf minnows as they advance to 'the emotionally drained stage'

More Pierce Purcell drama for Slievenamon Golf Club

Sunday last saw our Men’s Pierce Purcell team take on Carrick-on-Suir at home in Round 2 of the Pierce Purcell Shield. Well, if you wanted thrills, spills and excitement, Sunday’s contest had it all, as Slievenamon and Carrick fought fiercely to see which team would come out on top.

As the two teams battled for supremacy, Slievenamon were three down at one stage before clawing their way back.
With the two Michaels (O’Donnell and O’Meara) winning their match with their customary aplomb, Willie McGarry and Paudie Lahart soon broke back with some magnificent golfing to take the second match.

After SGC lost the third match, it was all to play for in the fourth buckle, with Slievenamon supporters willing on their men.

There is a big and enthusiastic following for this year’s team, as witnessed by Graham O’Reilly cutting short his summer holidays in order to cheer on the side.

A crowd started gathering on the 16th by which stage SGC were two up with three to play. On to the 18th, where Slievenamon had a lucky break, when they hit a tree but the ball bounced out and we got on the green in two. Showing nerves of steel, and with a final push at the finish, we prevailed.

Hoarse voices, fist bumps and manly hugs ensued. One would have to be extremely hard hearted not to feel for Carrick, who played so well only to be denied at the end, and who were extremely sportsmanlike throughout.

Final word on the day goes to our Captain Mark Dillon who, when asked what stage we were now at in the Pierce Purcell competition, responded “The emotionally drained stage”.

Another week of excitement at SGC

We started off the week sedately enough with our Monday’s Mixed Scramble, the unexpectedly fine weather creating much merriment as our teams took to the course. Michael A O’Meara, Conor Dunlea and Anne Murphy took the spoils this week with a nett score of 33.2, with John J Doyle, Paddy Brambrick and Tadhg Browne in 2nd on 35.7 and John O’Sullivan, Anthony Powell and Marie Quirke in 3rd place on 37.3.

Heather provided refreshments afterwards, while Vincent Phelan totted up the scores.

Wednesday was the turn of our Seniors to hit the Greens. 10 teams played a Scramble in glorious weather. Our sun kissed winners were John Doyle, Davy Williams and Terry O’Brien with a score of 60.3.

In second were Billy Phelan, John Fitzgibbon and Dan Hayes on 61.4.

Third place went to Vincent Phelan, Robert Phelan and Jackie O’Dwyer on 62.9.