Tom O'Reilly Reclaims Scratch Cup

Sunday, 19 August 2018 20:45 |

The old County scratch Cup the 6th stop on the Dublin Scratch Cup Series took place on Sunday and Dublin Gents Inter County Captain George McGreal had the Cup gleaming when he handed it in, hoping he might be bringing it home later in the day. The morning conditions were warm but a bit of rain in the air and quite breezy but the scoring was very hot from the off. Our Own David Redmond opened up with a 50 and added a 52 to set a fine opening mark in the Inter grade. Dean Grannell from St.Pats is chasing points in the Scratch Cup Series and he started well with a 48. Dean's Colleague William Hudson was to start with a 52 and add a 48 as he posted 100. our Champ George posted a solid 48 and JR Crangle made a surprise early appearance and started with a 49 as well. The scoring then though took off Gary McGreal had a 45 and then Tom O'Reilly blew the field open with a stunning 42. Tom was paired with last years runner up and a winner back in 1993 Kevin Bermingham and Kevin 46 looked modest by comparision, Karl Murphy too had high hopes and he started with a 47 as did Andy Lowe. However the OC players were not having it their own way and Lucan's DAmien Creevey had a 43 to lie just one behind Tom. In the other grades Charis Cawley was the new leader in the Inters after posting 100 and that was to be equalled by Rob Berney but when young Lennon Blake posted a 47 in his opening round it looked like he might bag this prize.In the Juniors Conor Parsons set an impressive total of +3 and with the in form Tony Byrne in the field we wondered if this might not be enough as Tony started with a 56. The Ladies saw a real chance for the Old County players with just Marion Nolan and Mary Fullam playing from outside the club, none of the ladies Dublin Inter County team played apart from Pauline Balfe. Pauline was to take full advantage and with rounds of 58 and 59 she won by 4 shots from the lady she will play in the Ladies Handicap matchplay on Monday Vera Glennon, Madeline Nugent was to be two shots further back.

Back in the seniors, Anthony Malone and Chris Gallagher started off with solid rounds of 50 but well adrift of the leaders. Dean Grannell the early pace setter added a 46 to his 48 and lead on -14. But this would be overtaken as Tom added a 48 to his earlier 42 to lead on 90. Tom's playing Partner Kevin Bermingham put in a superb 45 to lie just one behind and with Karl Murphy also matching Kevin Score he was on 92 as well. Damien Creevey felt he might go past Tome but struggled a little in Round 2 but still a 49 had him in the mix on 92. andy Lowe has been in excellent form of late and that continued with a 46 and he was on 93. It was shaping up nicely at the top of the leaderboard. With most on their 2nd round a large contingent from Meath, Louth and Offaly arrived and Sean Goggins with a 48 and Aonghus Coughlan matching him stated their intention. Martin O'Neill has been making waves in the Dublin Scratch cups and he was at it again with a 47. However of the late starters the most impressive one was William Buckley with a 44. William & Aonghus had arrived from Castletown having shot best scores there.Eamon Gibney from Castletown was also playing his second course of the day and started with a solid 49. Lucan Duo Anthony malone and chris Gallagher moved through the gears in Round 2 and with scores of 45 and 46 put themselves nicely in the top 12. As the afternoon progressed we wondered would Tom be caught. William Buckley added a 50 to his 44 and Sean Goggins get to -14 on his second round only to fall back to -11. Eamon Gibney showed his endurance with an impressive 96 to get him into the top 12. Martin O'Neill as well was once again at the business end of events with a second 47 and a score of 94. Tom though was to remain in front and OC Players was to hold 5 of the top 6 places as the play-off got underway.

In the Inters Lennon Blake was to find the 2nd rounf tougher and his score of 55 meant he was to miss out on the Inter Prize as Rob Berney edged out Chris Cawley for this. In the Juniors Tony Byrne excellent run came to an end as he added a 57 to his earlier 56 and young Connor Parsons was to seal this prize. So a clean sweep so far for Old county.

Into the play-offs and the 1st dup to tee off was Eamon Gibney and Chris Gallagher. Both were six adrift and they hit the ground running with Chris having a hole in one on the 9th as he reached -8 after 14 Eamonn was matching him and the duo were -9 after 15. Chris chipped in on the 16th to move to -10 and when he pitched close on 17 he looked like he would really trouble the leaders. He narrowly missed with his chip on 18th but his 43 set down the mark for the leaders. Eamon too was flying but a long pitch on the 17th saw him suffer a bogey 4 and ended his momentum but his 45 on his 5th round of the day was hugely impressive. The following group puts in some good scores but none were able to get past Chris and he still lead with just Kevin and Tom on the course. Tom had started well being -5 after 9, but Kevin by contrast had struggled and found himself level after 10 holes. However it all changed aided by a hole in one on the 12th and Kevin was to hit -6 for the next seven holes and found himself three behind after 17th. Kevin on -23 knew he needed a birdie on the last or he would miss out on 2nd to Chris and 3rd to Karl Murphy. Kevin though delivered with a great pitch and even better putt from back of the green. Tom sadly finished with a bogey but the hard work was done. Tom had once again delivered on the big stage under intense pressure and he collected his 2nd scratch cup finishing on 137 (-25). A wonderful day's play and some amazing scoring. We would like to thank all who supported especially the likes of Jimmy Quinn who came up from Fermoy, those who did not play but supported us like Padraic SArsfield, John Hughes, CAthal SWift and Jonathan Gash and the likes of William Buckley, Aonghus Coughlan and Eamon Gibney who played in both Castletown and Old county. WEll done to Eamon whose score of 45 won him the Final 18 prize and to Chris Gallagher whose amazing 43 was enough to earn him third place.

We are indebted to our sponsor National Autoparts for their continued support and as our President Paul spelled out in his speech the club is extremely indebted to Kevin & Monica Bermingham who put so much time effort and committment into our Opens eevery year living nothing to chance and putting in very long days and ensuring all our visitors are well looked after. The Scratch Cup Series moves to Glenville next in a month's time.We wish the players well there.

Old County Scratch Cup 2018 Results - Sponsored by National Autoparts Limited

Winner: Tom O'Reilly (Old County) - 137 (-25)

Runner up: Kevin Bermingham - 138 (-24)

Third: Chris Gallagher (Lucan) - 139 (-23) (o.b.18)

Final 18 - Eamon Gibney (Castletown) - 45

Inter Winner: Rob Berney (Old County) - 100 (o.b.18)

Junior winner: Connor Parsons (Old County) - 111

Ladies Winner: Pauline Balfe (Old county) - 117