Stackstown Win Metropolitan Cup
29th August 2010
On Sunday 29th August 2010 Stackstown Golf Club won the Metropolitan Cup for the third time after a gap of 11 years since the last win in 1999. The team trailed Carton House 5 to 4 after the first leg of the final played in Carton House on 15th August. Following the final round of the Captains Prize on Saturday 28th August the course was presented in immaculate condition for the Cup final and with breezy but sunny conditions, the stage was set for a dramatic Sunday afternoons’ golf.
The team was led out by player manager Peadar Hogan who along with Ray O Connor put some early points on the board for Stackstown winning their matches with some sparkling golf on the 17th and 14th respectively. Michael Donnelly played some outstanding golf to win his match 3 & 2 putting the overall score in the match at that stage at 7 to 5 in favour of Stackstown.
The halfway point at the 9th provided much needed fuel for players and supporters alike thanks to a Barbeque ran by Con Daly. Team member Tom Hickey is owed a debt of gratitude for kindly providing all the food.
Carton House responded to the early Stackstown points with wins over Brian Brennan and Conor Ryan {losing out narrowly on 18}to leave the score stand at 7 – 7. Tensions were high as the remaining matches were all pretty tight. Momentum in sport is everything they say and great credit goes to Stephen Stewart who took his match by the scruff of the neck, birdying 13, 14 and 15 to close out the game 4 & 3. Following closely on his heels, Declan Walsh played some exceptional golf to gain a great win over his opponent JJ Comerford 2 & 1. The overall score now stood at 9 to 7 in Stackstown’s favour which also meant that we were guaranteed at least a playoff in the event of Carton House winning the remaining matches.
Mark Rowantree had a great battle with young Mark Boucher coming from dormie three down to narrowly lose out on 18. With the match now standing at 9 to 8 in favour of Stackstown, one match remained on the course where Enda O Halloran was all square with three holes to play. He won the 16th with a great par and both players played sensational approach shots onto the green on 17, halving the hole in three. Going up the 18th Enda was one up requiring a half at the hole to secure the cup for Stackstown. After being slightly hampered from the drive he played a safe lay up to the top of the hill. His opponent missed the green on the left side. Enda then played a superb approach shot to the back of the green to within 25 feet of the flag. His opponent Sean Walsh played an excellent chip which ran on to 12 feet. Enda putted up to 3 feet and when his opponent missed his par putt Enda had two putts for the Metropolitan Cup.
Great scenes of celebration followed on the 18th green as Stackstown secured their first pennant in a number of years. No doubt the sea of red jerseys which followed all the matches round contributed greatly as the tenth man on the team. It was magnificent to see such great crowds out to support our team.
Congrats to all Team members, caddies and supporters on a memorable Stackstown victory. Great credit goes to the substitutes on the day who played numerous matches over the last two years to help put the team in a position to win the final, and provided essential caddying and supporting roles for both legs of the final.
Subs: Tom Hickey; John McCarthy; Damian Mulvey; Gerry Carter; Noel McDermott; Larry Burke.
Results:
Peadar Hogan bt David Scanlon 2/1; Michael Donnelly bt Karl Fox 3/2; Conor Ryan lost to Ciaran MacCriostail 18th Hole; Ray O’Connor bt Niall Coyne 6/5; Brian Brennan lost to Martin Quinlan 5/4; Stephen Stewart bt Fintan O’Hanlon 4/3; Enda Halloran bt Sean Walsh 2 Holes; Mark Rowantree lost to Mark Boucher 2 Holes; Declan Walsh bt J.J. Comerford 1 Hole
GUI link – Team Photo
http://www.gui.ie/news_detail.asp?area=7&id=2726