Kildare players excel as Leinster defeat Munster in inter-provincial Pitch and Putt

Leinster team that defeated Munster in the inaugrual inter provincial Pitch and Putt at St Brigid's Pitch and Putt last week

placeholder image — Leinster team that defeated Munster in the inaugrual inter provincial Pitch and Putt at St Brigid's Pitch and Putt last week

Two Kildare men played starring roles as Leinster overcame Munster by 10½ matches to 7½ in the inaugural Interprovincial Challenge which was played at the excllent McDonagh Pitch and Putt clast week.

Three-time National Matchplay champion Sean Harkins of the Ryston club in Newbridge teamed-up with Dublin’s George McGreal (the former Leinster champion) to an impressive 5&4 Scotch

Foursomes victory over Munster’s Paudie O’Sullivan and James Cleary. Ian Dillon from the St.Bridget’s club in Kilcullen partnered Meath’s Eamon Gibney to a 3&2 success over all-Cork pairing John Walsh and Daithi Sexton.

With Louth’s Mark Millar alongside Dubliner Chris Gallagher also delivering a Scotch Foursomes win, Leinster split the doubles section 3-3 to be level at the lunchtime break.

Harkins and Dillon were put out at No. 1 and 2 respectively in the singles and they delivered in spades for non-playing captain Anthony Malone (Dublin). Harkins defeated four-time National champion Damien Fleming from Kerry by 3&2 in a high-quality match while Dillon was an impressive 4&3 victor over reigning Irish Strokeplay kingpin Stephen Shoer (Tipperary).

Those inspirational wins gave Leinster a brilliant foundation and although Munster rallied somewhat in the middle order, the eastern province won three of the last four singles for a memorable victory.

The match, sponsored by Utility Trust, was a resounding success as a spectacle and raised in excess of €10,000 for the benefit charity – National Children’s Hospital, Temple Street.

Details: (Leinster names first): Scotch Foursomes: Sean Goggin & Jim Judge lost to Ray Murphy & Damien Fleming 4/3, Stephen Murray &; Gary Healy lost to Stephen Shoer & John Cahill 3/1, Sean Harkins & George McGreal beat Paudie O’Sullivan & James Cleary 5/4, Darren Fagan & Dean Grannell lost Kieran Earls & Barry Morrissey 2/1, Ian Dillon & Eamon Gibney beat John Walsh & Daithi Sexton 3/2, Mark Millar & Chris Gallagher beat Stephen O'Reilly & Jason Cregan 2/1@ Leinster 3 Munster 3

Singles: Sean Harkins beat Damien Fleming 2/1, Ian Dillon beat Stephen Shoer 4/3, Sean Goggin halved with Barry Morrissey, Chris Gallagher beat John Cahill 2/1, Darren Fagan lost to James Cleary 3/2, Dean Grannell halved with Jason Cregan, George McGreal lost to Paudie O'Sullivan 4/3,

Stephen Murray halved with John Walsh, Jim Judge beat Ray Murphy 1 hole, Mark Millar lost to Kieran Earls 2/1, Gary Healy beat Daithi Sexton 2/1, Eamon Gibney beat Stephen O'Reilly 2/1

Leinster 7½ Munster 4½

Pictured above is Leinster team that defeated Munster in the inaugrual inter provincial Pitch and Putt at St Brigid's Pitch and Putt last week: back, Chris Gallagher, George McGreal, Stephen Murray, Ian Dillon, Jim Judge, Mark Millar, Dean Grannell, Darren Fagan, Sean Goggin, Eamon Gibney. Front L-R Sean Harkins, Patsy Fagan (Vice Captain), Anthony Malone (captain), Darren Keogh (Vice Captain), Gary Healy