Joy for Barton Cup, Despair for Leinster Men’s Fourball

Our Barton Cup and Leinster Men’s Fourball teams were both taking part in last 16 matches today.

First up was Ray McDonnells Barton team who were up against the K Club. Greystones had home advantage so had three matches at home and 2 away. Ray selected the following team:

Home: Chris Boylan and Keith McDonnell, Alan Keane and Ruadhan Murray, Diarmaid MacGabhann

Away: Ollie Nolan and Kevin Barry, Shane Nolan and Craig Hazelton.

Chris and Keith led off at home and were one down early on but made a significant move by winning 6, 7 and 8 to be two up after 9.

Alan and Ruadhan got into an early lead and were 2 up after 5 holes however the opposition then won 7 & 8. The Greystones pair then restored their 2 up lead by winning 9 and 10.

Diarmaid and Henry were in a to and fro match winning 3 holes and losing 2 to make the turn at one up.

Away from home where the team were being looked after by Paul Keane the first away were Ollie and Kevin. After 6 holes the Greystones pair were one up and maintained that lead after 9.

Shane and Craig were up against it early on and were 3 down after 8 holes but then got two holes back winning 9 and 10.

Back home Keith and Chris kept the pressure on their opposition by 10 & 11 to be 4 up. Both pairs then traded two wins each over the next 4 holes for the Greystones lads to claim the first point 4&3.

Ruadhan and Alan were in a dogfight after the K Club pair won 11 & 12 to be all square. Greystones won 13 and the K Club pair won 16 for the match to be all square. Greystones won 17 when the opposition missed a shortish putt. Ruadhan hit a long drive down the right and when the K club put their ball in the right hand bunker Alan produced a fine shot close to the pin. When the opposition failed to hole their bunker shot they conceded the match. 2-0.

At this point Henry and Diarmaid were one down standing on the 18th tee. Away Kevin and Ollie were dormie 3 up and Shane and Craig had mounted a fightback and were all square after 15.

After a fine drives by Henry and the opposition the K Club pair made the green but had a tricky putt from the top of the green. Diarmaid hit a lovely shot in very close but the putt had a big break. A 3 putt from the K Club pair and we were off up to the 19th.

Away Ollie and Kevin were now playing 18 one up. Shane and Ollie were now one up after 16.

As Diarmaid was hitting his shot to the 19th green word was coming through that Ollie and Kevin were on the last hole in 3 and were looking good. Diarmaid hit a shot on 19 which was even closer than his 1st hole. The opposition also made the green. As the players made their way pass the ladies tees there was a shout of joy from Ray McDonnell as word came that Ollie and Kevin had won their match on 18. At this point Shane and Craig along with Henry and Diarmaid were called in which resulted in a 4-1 win. Congratulations to Ray and his team who are now in the quarter finals. The next opposition are the Castle GC and the match has to be played by 11th August.

Gerry Browners Leinster Men’s Fourball were also in a last 16 match against Woodbrook were we had home advantage in the event of a playoff. At home Michael Whelan and Macdara Cummins were with Andy Nolan and Brook Mangan. Away from home Dermot Barry and John Smith were with Michael O’Neill and Conor Lucey. The away team were being looked after by John Browner.

Macdara and Michael were one down early on but then won two holes midway through the front 9 but lost the 9th to be all square. Andy and Brook were also down early on, 2 down through 5, but fought back with 4 holes won in the next 6 which left them 2 up through 11.

Away from home Dermot and John were also under pressure early on and found themselves 3 down after 5 holes. They then won 6 & 8 but lost 9 to be 2 down at the turn. Michael and Conor got off to a flier winning the first two holes. Woodbrook fought straight back winning the 4th and 5th. Greystones snuck ahead again on the 6th. Woodbrook however seized control then by winning 8,9 and 10 to go 2 up.

Back in Greystones Michael and Macdara were in a ding dong match with holes being swapped between the two pairs. Greystones won 12, 14 and 16 while Woodbrook won 11, 13 and 17. The last hole was halved so both teams get half a point each.

Brook and Andy won and lost a hole to remain 2 up through 15 holes.

In Woodbrook John and Dermot went 3 down at the 11th. The Greystones pair won 12 & 14 but wins for Woodbrook on 13 and 15 gave them the win 3&2. In the 2nd match in Woodbrook the home pair kept the pressure on with wins on 12 & 13 to go 4 up and a couple of halved holes gave them the point they needed to progress to the next round.

Andy and Brook were called in at dormie 2 up at this point.

Commiserations to Gerry Browner and his team.