Mannan Castle Golf Notes: Winter League reaches its stunning conclusion

MANNAN CASTLE

Winter League Week 7 Results: Div 1 Philip McGovern (PH 12) 29 pts c/b, Div 2 Tony Rooney (PH 18) 31 pts, Div 3 Lenny McKitterick (PH  19) 33 pts.

One would have to think it's a two-horse race in Division 1 of the Winter League between the last two winners of the Captains Prize here in Mannan Castle, Eugene Molloy and Fergal O'Rourke. Eugene holds a slender three-point lead over Fergal who will be trying his best to hunt him down.

John Minnock holds a comfortable lead in Division 2, five points in reserve over Noel Gartlan heading into the final weekend.  Eddie Rouiller holds the most slender of leads over Sean Finnegan in Division 3.

MANNAN CASTLE SENIORS

Despite a frosty morning and a delayed start, a good turnout of Mannan Castle seniors played in the weekly 9-hole competition.

The ever-popular Jim Baird, who is a regular participant, returned to the winner’s enclosure after a long absence. His round got off to a great start with a par on the first hole earning him four points. Pars on the 13th and 17th boosted his score and he signed for 21 points at the finish line.

He finished ahead of Richard Eakin in second place on 19 points, with three pointers on holes 4, 15 and 17. Finbar Boylan took third on 18 points with a one pointer on hole 1, while a no score on hole 13 proved costly.

Tuesday 6th December 9 Hole Competition (9 hole handicaps): 1st Jim Baird (14) 21pts, 2nd Richard Eakin (12)19pts, 3rd Finbar Boylan (6) 18pts.

MANNAN CASTLE LADIES

It may not have been the best of starts, but Denise McGuinness turned on the after burners midway through the thirteenth, coming home in style by having five pars in the last six holes to finish on 26 points to take the win.

A previous win reduced Angela Gartlan's total to 26 points, which was still good enough to take second place helped by four pars, including the par 5 4th.

Winter 13 Hole Weekly Competition - 7th December 2022: 1st Denise McGuinness (21) 26pts c/b, 2nd Angela Gartlan (23) (27-1) 26pts c/b.

This week saw the conclusion of the Ladies Winter League, sponsored by Daisy, Market Square, Carrickmacross.

Team Red Wing finished the Ladies Winter League 2022 on a high note. In the lead going into the final week, they continued their good form and took top points for an emphatic win in the end after a contest played over seven weeks.

The nearest contenders were Team Chaffinch, and they secured second place from a chasing pack in the final week.

There were many excellent individual performances across the Winter League, great dedication and commitment shown during some difficult weather at times, and several players returning scores into the 30s for 13 holes. Congratulations and well done to each and every player who participated.

Winter League 2022: Winning Team: Red Wing: Lady Captain Siobhan Downey, Rita O'Loughlin, Mary McCabe, Helena Connolly and Madeleine Devine, Runners Up Team Chaffinch: Marie Finnegan, Geraldine Finnegan, Kate Beagan, Maureen Crawley, Imelda Hanratty and Marion McArdle.

Individual Category Winners: 0 - 18.9: Mary Cassidy 126pts, 19 - 23.9 Angela Gartlan 133pts, 24 - 29.9 Angela McBride 109pts, 30 - 54 Aine Fitzmaurice 111pts.