Golfing glory for Ballinasloe

Ballinasloe ended a 129-year wait for senior inter-club golfing glory as they defeated Malahide in the final of the Flogas Mixed Foursomes at Knightsbrook today.

The East Galway club had its Captain's Day on Saturday but there was still a massive turnout to cheer on their team in the rain.

The pairing of Ciaran Smyth and Enda Jennings secured the winning point, 3&1, on the 17th green for a 3-2 win and their place in the history books.

Aidan Grenham and Lena Donohue also won 3&2 with Mark Conneely and Mary Goode 6&4 victors. Ballinasloe won the first three matches and it was enough to hold off the brave challenge of Malahide.

“I’m chuffed, thrilled for all our team, all our club,” said Ballinasloe Team Captain John Hurley.

“There must be no one left in Ballinasloe today, the support that came up here to Knightsbrook was immense. And the shouts and roars around about the golf course, I’ll take with me for a long long time.

“I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the panel.”

Ballinasloe had qualified for the final by a last hole victory over County Tipperary on Saturday.

Ballinasloe were first through after they won 3-2 thanks to a winning putt from Jamie Corbett on the final hole of their final match.

Brian Slattery and Isobel Hayes won the first match for County Tipperary while Mark Talbot and Sheena Ryan followed up in the third match.

However, crucially Aidan Grenham and Lena Donohue got their win, as did Mark Conneely and Mary Goode, before Corbett finished off a brilliant chip from Noreen Kenny to seal their place in the final.