Pitch & Putt IrelandSt. Mary's Drogheda Storm to Schools Victory
Bellewstown Boys claim victory at St. Bridget's by 12 Shots
St. Mary’s Diocesan
School from Drogheda captured the All-Ireland Schools title today at St. Bridget’s.
Their twenty four under par total saw them clear of St. Joseph’s, Rochfortbridge and De
La Salle, Bagenalstown who completed a Leinster 1-2-3.
In a change
to the format of previous years, fourteen teams commenced play with a shotgun
start at 11.30 am and the Kilcullen venue was a hive of activity and great shot
making for the next three hours. The weather held out and play was completed in
dry conditions but a bitter wind made sure the cold was felt by spectators and
players alike. As ever, the host club excelled in providing superb hospitality and
a brilliant course, especially considering the time of year.
The Munster
challenge was led by the top two at the recent Munster finals. Davis College
from Mallow, the victors on that occasion, posted a team total of 321;
including a 99 (46, 53) from Greg Barrett. This was slightly bettered by their
Cork rivals and holders of the National title, Coláiste an Chraoibhín from
Fermoy. A team containing just one of the 2011 squad totalled 320, Justin
McCarthy leading them home with a 101 (49, 52).
This was to
prove agonisingly just outside the podium positions for both Cork Schools. De
La Salle Bagenalstown showed great improvement from their Leinster Finals
showing to claim third spot. Patrick Robinson’s 106 (53, 53) coupled with a
great 100 (51,49) from Roy O’Neill put them in a great position with Thomas
Maher’s score still to count. In the last group remaining on the course, he
needed 113 to clinch third spot and that’s exactly what he delivered, thanks to
a closing 3 at the short 16th.
Many had predicted
a duel between the St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s after such a close result at the
Leinster Competition when the Westmeath lads prevailed by a shot. The
Rochfortbridge boys delivered an extremely consistent performance, all three
players shooting 104. Martin White (53, 51), Jonathan Daly (52, 52) and Liam
Metcalfe (52, 52) delivered six fine rounds between them in difficult, blustery
conditions.
They would
however be defeated by six great rounds! Darren Heeney got things underway with
a 98 (48, 50) that would prove to be the best total of the day. The second of
the three Bellewstown members in the team was Luke Heeney. Sub par rounds of 50
and 53 produced an excellent 103 total for the current All-Ireland Boys
Championship Runner-Up. The team was anchored by captain, Peter Reilly. A solid
first round 52 put him in a good position but he really turned on the style
with a second round 47 to seal a nine under par total of 99 and a commanding
team victory by 12 shots.
Luke, Peter
and Darren are pictured above after capturing their title. For pictures of all
the prize winners, please click on the following link – Schools Competition on
Flickr.
CLICK HERE
FOR A FULL SCOREBOARD FROM TODAY
Congratulations
to all the teams who took part, both today and in all the earlier rounds of the
competition. The PPUI would like to thank all the schools, teachers, clubs and
parents who make it possible to run this competition each year. We’re already
looking forward to 2013.