Bearna GC ladies secure club’s first national title in a thriller

Bearna GC claimed its first ever All-Ireland title in dramatic fashion on Saturday as they captured the AIG Insurance Junior Foursomes crown at Knightsbrook with a final hole win in the last match on the course to claim the title.

The final against Powerscourt hinged on the top match and with the teams all square standing on the 18th tee, Bearna put the pressure on when they cleared the water and finished just off the back of the green.

Powerscourt faltered at the final hurdle, dumping two balls in the hazard before conceding the hole to Bridie McNamara and Tara Cunningham.

“It was a very tight match. They were down a couple of holes but they fought back and that’s what match play is all about,” said team captain, Catherine Quinlan. “It was lovely for us to win it but I feel sorry for Powerscourt because it was their first time in an All-Ireland final as well as it was for us.”

Bearna had come through a closely fought semi-final against championship specialists Lee Valley, with Caroline Codyre and Barbara O’Keefe securing the winning point, and they had to endure another nerve-wracking encounter against Powerscourt.

With the back match going the way of the Wicklow ladies and Bearna taking the middle match 4&2, it all came down to the first game out on the course. All square playing the last, McNamara and Cunningham secured the winning point after safely negotiating the most intimidating tee shot on the course.

“It was very exciting and we were delighted to get to this stage because we’ve never been to this stage before,” said Quinlan. “We’ve been through to district finals but we’ve never been to an All-Ireland final before. It’s the first and the first of anything is great. What’s rare is wonderful.”

There was heartbreak for Portumna in the final of the minor cup when they lost out to The K Club on the first extra hole. Portumna’s Brid Kelly won the 18th to square the tie in the decisive match but Noirin Donovan came back to win on the 19th.

Portumna had booked their place in the final after a commanding victory against Donaghadee. Veronica Curtin, Brid Kelly and Lily Graydon won their matches with ease to secure their place in the final, where they came up agonisingly short.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.