Pitch & Putt IrelandProvincial Matchplay previews part 2
2024 Leinster Ladies & Gents Matchplay Preview
By Declan Sheedy
Kilbeggan (Westmeath) and Erry (Offaly) pitch and putt clubs are the proud hosts to the 2024 Leinster Ladies & Gent Matchplay championship this weekend. Kilbeggan plays host to the Intermediate Gents and all Ladies grade rounds of 32, 16 and quarter finals on Saturday with the semi-finals and final moving to Erry on Sunday. Erry is the venue for to all matches in the Senior and Junior Gents champions across the full weekend. This year’s prestigious provincial championship have the added incentive of a place in the National Matchplay Finals for the winners in each grade and sets its up for an extra exciting and competitive weekend of play.
Ahead of the weekends championships we take a brief look at each of the grades and how the draws have unfolded.
Senior Ladies
A total of 14 players take part with no less than 6 current and former National Matchplay Champions taking to the tee in what is a top qualify field of players. Stand out match in the top half of the draw pits defending champion Marian Courtney (Ryston) against Margaret Hogan (Tullamore). Two of the most successful and experienced players in the game, this promises to be a very close match with little expected to separate them in the end. The winner of this match may be fancied to have a very big say in the championship however they may have to overcome current National Matchplay Champion Paula Lynch (Oldcastle) in the quarters, if Paula overcomes the challenge from Bridie Cummins (Trim) in her opening match. The bottom half of the draw sees 10 time winner of this championship Chrissie Sheedy (Ryston) return having missed last years championship as she faces her sister Margaret Keogh (Ryston) in her opener. Winner of this match will face either Liz Quinn (Collinstown) or Louise Grace (RSGC) in the quarters. Already in the quarter finals and what promises to be another excellent battle is Amy Galvin (Tullamore) and Tara Dillon (Ryston). Few will argue with the belief it is a matter of when, not if, Amy winners a senior ladies championship and will enter this as one of the strong favourite having shown strong early season form. With the championship to be played over two course Amy will know very well, this could be her chance. To do so however she may need to knock out a number of former National Champions, starting with Tara.
Intermediate Ladies
A field of 12 ladies compete in the Intermediate grade. In the top half of the draw, it is an all Tullamore affair in the round of 16 as Denis Pyke faces her clubmate Deidre Byrne . Winner of this game may carry a significant advantage into the latter rounds of this championship as both courses will be very familiar to them given they are only few kilometres from their our club. Mairead O’Toole (St. Bridget’s) or Ger Branning (Royal Meath) await the winner of the Tullamore ladies match. In the bottom have of the draw, all players have been drawn in the quarter finals with the first match being an all McDonagh affair between Marion Gannon Kelly and Catherine Smith. Marion has been making significant strides in the ladies game in the last two years and can be expected to put in a strong showing this weekend. Winner of this match faces either 2024 Junior winner Audrey Donnelly (McBride) or Maire Dooley (RGSC). Both ladies are regulars on the circuit and this promises to be a close game in prospect.
Junior Ladies
A field of 11 players are entered in the Junior championship with 7 of the field from clubs in the Shortgrass County of Kildare. The top half of the draw sees 3 Ryston ladies play in the round of 16 against opponents from different clubs. Kitty Brogan (Ryston) takes on Maria Cranny (Cloghogue), Marie Kett (Ryston) plays Angela Connelly (Eden) and Violet Quille (Ryston) faces Maria Coleman (Loughlinstown). On paper there is little to separate any of these ladies with a number expected to very close matches. Bottom half of the draw is an all Kildare affairs and all quarter final matches thus a club Kildare player will be in the final, but from which club. St. Bridget’sclubmates Anne Sweeney faces Catherine Dillon while in the other quarter final Christina Foley (Athgarvan) plays Ann Williams (Ryston). All these players know each other’s games very well and like the top half of the draw we can expect close and competitive matches all around.
Senior Gents
An unusual number of 48 finalists take part in the Senior gents championship which means any player drawn in the top half of the draw will have to play and win 6 matches over the two days if they are to get their hands on the trophy, a physical and mental challenge in itself. Home advantage cannot be underestimated in these championships and with 6 home players in the draw the Erry club will be hoping for home success. However 5 of the 6 home players have been drawn in the top half and may end up playing each other along the way. Aengus Coughlan (Erry) faces Daniel Condon (Ryston) in the opening round with Aengus expected to challenge strongly over the weekend. Should he overcome Daniel he could face club mate Keith Redmond in the next round if Keith can win his game against Anthony Ryan (Bagnelstown). In other matches including Erry players, Jimmy Taylor (Erry) faces a man who has put in strong performances in scratch cups already this season in the form of Dean Grannell (St. Patrick), a player who may feature strongly this weekend while Stephen O’Brien (Erry) plays Peter Reilly (Kilineer) and Keith Dunne (Erry) faces beaten finalist from 2022 in the form of Gary Healy (Loughlinstown). Gary has medalled in various senior championships in recent years and may be fancied to progress well in his section of the draw. The champion from 2023 Sean Googin (McBride) will be hoping to emulate his success from the 2023 season but faces a semi finalistfrom the 2023 National Matchplay in the form of his clubmate Jim Judge in what promises to be another great match.
The bottom half of the draw sees defending champion Ian Dillon (St. Bridget) start his defence of this title with a very tricky match against his good friend and Intercounty teammate Darren Keogh (Ryston). Beaten finalist from 2023, Stephen Murray (Old County) has the game to win on the big stage and is expected to have a say in this years championship. Stephens opener is against David O’Brien (McBride). Elsewhere in the bottom half, George McGreal (Old County) semi finalist from 2023 will seek to go one round better this year as he faces Gareth Walsh (Lucan) while Eamon Gibney (Castletown) aims to clinch this major title when he starts against Gerry Coyne (Rocheforthbride). Stand out match of the bottom half is between two of the favourites for the title in the form of Erry’s own William Buckley Jnr and Mark Millar (Kilineer). A game which wouldn’t look out of place on Sunday evening promises to be a thriller. William knows every blade of grass on the Erry course and is one of the game’s best players while Marks own record of titles speak for themselves. Winner of this one could well feature in Sundays marquee game.
Intermediate Gents
A very open championship is promised in the intermediate grade as the players will play in Kilbeggan on Saturday before moving across to Erry for the latter rounds. Like the Senior men, 48 play and again anyone drawn in the top half will need to win 6 matches to lift the cup. The top sections features the very unusual situation where we see a player from Galway and a player from Waterford compete for a Leinster title due to regional board setups. Donal Tarpey (Mellows) faces John Dowling (Bagnelstown) while Owen Tubbritt (Tramore) takes on Michael Keogh (Gowran) each looking to write a bit of history should they win the title. Dean Dinnegan (Lough Owel) plays Dan Power (St. Patricks) which on paper should to be a great game in the making. Nicholas Brennan (Gowran) is another player well capable of big performances and could go well as he kicks off his campaign against John Troy (Trim). Jimmy Scanlon (Erry) has all the experience needed to challenge strongly and will be hoping to get back to his home course on Sunday with a chance for the title. Jimmy kicks off his challenge when he faces Robbie McCabe (Royal Meath). Tullamore trio of Mark Hogan, Paul Lowry and Pat Ward all feature in the top half of the draw against John Clarke Jr (Ryston), Kevin Corcoran (Old County) and Paddy Kelly respectively, and as already mentioned Tullamore’s proximity to the both Kilbeggan and Erry will provide familiar surroundings for the Tullamore men. The bottom half of the draw is very open with players from pretty much all the Leinster counties represented in this half. A player to watch for in this section could be Cathal O’Toole (Athgarvan). A very steady player, Cathal kicks off his challenge with a match against Bazz McDonnell (Laytown). Darren Egan (Lucan) is another player who could go well over the weekend as he takes on Murt Barid (Bagnelstown)in his opener.
Junior Gents
The more traditional 32 finalists take part in the junior championship to be played on both days in Erry. Like the intermediate championship this one appears to be a very open championship albeit home advantage may be even more important in this grade than the others. The draw sets up for the potential of an all Erry final with two Erry players in each half of the draw however matchplay always throws up plenty of shocks and everyone in the draw has a chance. Joe McGrath Snr (Erry) would be a very popular home winner as he takes on Michael Leech (Kilineer) in his opener, while Erry clubmates George Robbins faces Robert Greene (Prosperous), Declan Kelly faces Colin English (McDonagh) and Luke Manning is pitted against Luke Manning (Oldcastle). Throughout the draw and matches little looks to separate the players on paper and one can expected a number of matches to go the distance and beyond. With many of the players making their first appearance in provincial championships one can expect to see a number of surprises along the way. With five rounds and wins required to the lift the title it will be a matter of mental concentration and physical endurance as much as anything required but a very competitive championship is in store.
Wishing all the players involved over the weekend the very best of luck.
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