20th September 2009: Erry Club Matchplay

Erry Club Matchplay
The Erry Club Matchplay dominated proceedings at the club for entirety of last week, with 36 holes strokeplay qualifying rounds taking place on Tuesday evening and matchplay rounds dominating from Wednesday to Friday. The qualifiers in the senior grade following 36 holes strokeplay were Billy Buckley Snr., JJ Wynne, Ger Walsh, Graham Newman, Larry Maher Jnr., Edward Fleming, William Kennedy and Gerry Gallagher. In the Inter Grade Mick Devery, James Walsh, Larry Maher Snr. and Jackie Rabbitte all qualified straight into their respective matchplay semi-finals. Likewise in the Junior section Terence Bracken, Michael Mullen and Gary Treacy qualified straight into the Thursday evenings semi-finals stage.

In the quarter-finals of the Senior grade on Wednesday evening Billy Buckley saw off the challenge from JJ Wynne to set up a semi-final match with Graham Newman who overcame Ger Walsh in his quarter-final match. The second semi-final would take the form of Larry Maher Jnr., who beat Edward Fleming in his quarter-final clash, against William Kennedy, who beat Gerry Gallagher in his quarter-finals. In glorious sunshine on Thursday evening the semi-finals in each grade teed off with some mouth watering games in prospect. In the senior grade two current and two past members of Offaly inter-county teams faced each other with young gun Graham Newman beating Billy Buckley and William Kennedy beating an in form Larry Maher Jnr. An uncle versus nephew final ensued on Friday evening. On this occasion it was youth that overcame experience in a highly fought match which saw Graham Newman adding yet another title to his name this summer. In the Inter semi-finals Mick Devery booked his place in the final, following his win over James Walsh against Jackie Rabbitte, who overcame Larry Maher Snr. in his semi-final. It was certainly a final between two of the main stalwarts of Erry pitch and putt and it was an entertaining one at that where a jubilant Jackie Rabbitte reigned supreme. In the Junior grade two former juvenile players Michael Mullen and Gary Treacy and a welcomed new comer to the game Terence Bracken did battle for the Junior title. Gary Treacy guaranteed his spot in the final by accepting a bye in his semi-final while Terence Bracken claimed his spot by beating club favourite Michael Mullen. This match certainly lived up to expectation and with both players displaying their talents with great performances over the 36 holes match. On this occasion it was Terence Bracken who came out the victor to claim his first of many club titles. In the Ladies Section Helen Wynne was an outright winner. Congratulations to all the competitors who took part and especially to the victorious winners. Also, thanks must be extened to the club committee and grounds men who produced the course in immaculate order once again.

Date for your diary: Erry Pitch and Putt AGM takes place in the clubhouse on October 14th.
National Seniors Strokeplay Championships take place on September 26-27 at Tullamore - Best of luck to all taking part.

Reports to follow soon from the inaugural Irish Open held at Clonee as well as the National Mixed Foursomes held at Deerpark, Killarney, this weekend along with a preview of the National Seniors Championships taking place at Tullamore.

Erry Club Matchplay Prizewinners with fellow competitors