Historic Munster Senior Cup victory for Nenagh Golf Club
History was made in Nenagh Golf Club on Sunday, 9th July last, when the Men’s Senior Cup team brought the club's first ever Munster pennant home, after four gruelling matches in two days in Kilrush G.C.
First up on Saturday morning was Doneraile G.C. from Cork. Nenagh overcame the match 4-1, with Jake Adler producing the standout performance winning his match 6&5 with an exceptional display of golf in the number 1 position for Nenagh.
The afternoon match posed another difficult opponent in Dooks G.C., but again the Nenagh players gave an exceptional performance, winning 4-1 in the windy conditions in West Clare.
Sunday morning brought the old foe, Limerick G.C. The confidence was soon removed from the Limerick supporters faces when they quickly realised Nenagh were not going to roll over easily. After four hard fought games, the scores stood at 2-2, when all the attention turned to Cian Heffernan in match 5, against the former winner of the South of Ireland and former professional, Justin Kehoe. Under the most intense of pressure, Cian won on the 19th hole, with the 50+ Limerick supporters left in stunned silence.
After a thirty-minute break, all the attention turned to the regional final and Ballybunion G.C. With a Ballybunion team loaded with experience, Nenagh had it all to do. After early wins from Tony Scroope and Paul Carey, all the attention turned to Davey Reddan Jnr. Unbeaten for the weekend, Davey was level with three hole to go, and now had all the hopes of Nenagh firmly resting on his shoulders. Not even an apocalyptic rain shower on the 16th could stop Davey rifling his approach to the middle of the green. With his opponent succumbing to the pressure, Reddan closed out his match on the 17th green, winning 2&1 and ensuring an historic day for Nenagh G.C.
Great credit has to go to the management team of club professional, Eanna Jones, and his reliable sidekick, Brian Freeman. They have both given huge time and commitment to ensure the team were well prepared & given the best chance of victory on Sunday.
It has been a real team performance for Nenagh this year – with five matches played to date, all seven panel members have contributed at least one win for the team.
All roads now lead to the All-Ireland finals in Dun Laoghaire Golf Club on the weekend of September 8th. After last week’s performance, Nenagh will have nothing only victory in their sights.