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

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