Club News 24th Sep

​Club News
Junior Scratch Matchplay secures Strabane showdown
Congratulations to our Donegal Junior Scratch Matchplay team who made the most of home advantage on Sunday afternoon to win their semi-final tussle with North West GC.
Under the leadership of skipper Dermot Shields, the Portsalon team dominated and won the first three matches, ensuring the final two were called in whilst in strong positions.
North West had overcome Murvagh just 24 hours earlier to take their place in the last-four and it was always going to be a tough ask for the Lisfannon team to concede home advantage with the semi-finals and final pencilled in this year for the neutral venue in Portsalon.
Dermot's team consisted of Kevin Boyce, Cathal Canning, Patrick McGowan, Daniel Shields and Davitt Walsh and each member of the panel stood up to the test on Sunday with some exceptional golf that wouldn't have been out of place in the Senior Scratch semi-finals out in front of them.
Their reward is a place in the final this coming Sunday, September 29th, against the defending champions Strabane GC.
It certainly won't easy to topple Strabane, but once more the matches will be played in Portsalon, giving the team that best possible start.
They tee off at 1.30pm on Sunday in Portsalon and all support is welcome for Dermot and his team.
Seniors out of luck
It was a busy day for team golf on Sunday but, alas, no success for our Senior Scratch Matchplay team or the Donegal Seniors.
Stephen Connolly's Senior Scratch Matchplay ran into a strong Strabane team and, despite the home advantage, couldn't get the verdict in their semi-final as Strabane booked a date with defending champions Gweedore in the final.
Joe Hensey has led his Donegal Seniors admirably all summer but they were also foiled at the final hurdle on Sunday afternoon by Cloughaneely.
The first leg of the final ended all square in Portsalon, 2.5 matches apiece, ensuring it was very much advantage to the Falcarragh team for the second leg. Despite the best efforts of Captain Joe and his team, it was not to be as Cloughaneely won four matches at home.
Commiserations to both Portsalon teams on their defeats.
Club Results
Wednesday 18th September
Winner: Bernard McGettigan (31) – 43 pts
Runner-up: Kyle Loughrey (23) – 42 pts
Gross: Jack Patton (2) – 34 gross pts
Third: Niall Blaney (25) – 40 pts
Saturday 21st September
Winner: Mark Cohen (21) – 43 pts
Runner-up: Alan O'Doherty (13) – 42 pts
Gross: Shane Magee (2) – 31 gross pts
Third: Eunan McGlynn (12) – 41 pts
Sunday 22nd September
Winner: Joe Gallagher (17) – 41 pts
Runner-up: Marty Doran (31) – 39 pts BOT
Gross: Shane Magee (1) – 29 gross pts
Third: John Shields (15) – 39 pts

Ladies News

Matchplay Singles Final
The final of the ladies singles Matchplay took place between Mary Barrett and Deirdre O’Toole on Tuesday 17th Sept. I can only quote Mary Barrett who summed up the match as follows – “When Deirdre O’Toole is on her game, she is unbeatable!” The ladies shook hands on the 14th green at the end of a wonderful match. Deirdre O’Toole played an incredible match to win the 2024 singles Matchplay title and many congratulations from everyone to her.

Past Captain’s Day
The sun shone on the past captains as they took to the course on Saturday 21st Sept. A nice cup of coffee and a scone pre-golf went down very well, as the ladies' draw determined the order of play.
Anne Speedie got the measure of the course very quickly and by the back 9 was sinking putts unashamedly. While Brighidin Hawke gave her a run for her money up to the 18th, it was Anne who returned the best score of 42pts to win the Ladies Past Captains Trophy 2024 with an incredible 42pts. Brighidin came runner up with an excellent 40pts.

Ladies Winter Links
The ladies winter links kicks off on Thursday 26th September. There are still a few tee times available. Call the club on (074) 915 9459 to book.

Play in Pink Ladies Open
Fri 4th Oct is the ladies play in pink Open with funds raised going to Breast Cancer Research.
All funds from the ladies October Re-Entry are also being donated to this worthy cause.

Results

Past Captains
Winner – Anne Speedie 42pts
Runner-Up – Brighidin Hawke 40pts

Sunday Members Competition
Winner – Marian Overend 38pts
Runner-Up – Anne Busch 37pts