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30th November 2008: Inaugural Ryder Cup Goes to Erry!!

The Erry and Tullamore teams arrived from 9a.m. to Erry Pitch & Putt Club this morning to a winter wonderland that you would associate with a Christmas morning, the only factor missing being snow. The sun tried to break through on the frozen white course consideration was given to the option of calling the final day's play of the highly anticipated Ryder Cup. The Captains had decided their team's order of play, all the players were present and eager to play so it was down to the Erry members to go to work and make the course playable. It was a difficult task but the course was playable at 11a.m. thanks to the Erry players who turned their talents to sweeping for an hour, as they cleared the greens of as much top frost as possible. It was then down to the sun to ease the conditions.

11a.m. and the scene was set for the final's day play of 12 Singles 36 Hole Matchplay games. Playing Captains Billy Buckley Snr. (Erry) and John Fleming (Tullamore) entered the order of players and the pairings were known with some exciting games in prospect, it would go down to the wire. Remember the teams were all square on 10 points a piece following 4 weeks of Doubles Matchplay games (2 x Fourballs and 2 x Scotch Foursomes).

Singles Matchplay Results

Tullamore Points Erry Points Result
Ronnie O'Shea 0 Larry Maher Jnr. 1 7/6
Darren O'Connell 0 Larry Maher Snr. 1 1up
Vinny Murphy 0 Joe McGrath Jnr. 1 7/6
Mick Hogan 0 Eamonn Kidney 1 3/2
Anthony Galvin 1 Joe Egan 0 4/3
John Fleming 0 Ger Walsh 1 2/1
Joe Gorman 0 Tracey McGrath 1 3/2
Mick Byrne 1 Mick Devery 0 6/5
Ger Palmer 1/2 Billy Buckley Snr. 1/2 A/S
Joe Hogan 1 Sean Dunican 0 2/1
Eddie O'Connell 0 William Buckley Jnr. 1 5/3
Lorcan Bracken 1 Joe McGrath Snr. 0 3/2
Tullamore Total 4 1/2 Erry Total 7 1/2
Tullamore Aggregate Total 14 1/2 Erry Aggregate Total 17 1/2


The Ryder Cup was going to Erry in it's inaugural year! Erry saw off a fierce challenge from the visitors in what was a memorable victory for the tenatious Erry 12 and managing/vice captain James Walsh. As it was a team effort everyone played their own part with some brilliant play in a very successful event which was possible through the vision and efforts of William Buckley and Mick Hogan. Both teams and supporters made the short journey to one of Offaly Pitch & Putt's top sponsors, Michael Egan's Clara Sports & Leisure Centre for the presentation of the Ryder Cup trophy, and deserved hot food and a few social drinks. William Buckley praised both teams on the spirit in which the event was played and hoped that it would continue long into the future and become one of the main highlights in Offaly's pitch and putt calender.

Both Captains, John Fleming and Billy Buckley Snr. were presented with two Offaly Inter County rain tops for their sporting efforts and they both paid tribute to their respective teams' efforts. John also commented that Erry should not get to used to holding the Ryder Cup trophy as they will be back in force next year to reclaim it! Billy replied that this would be a challenge his team would relish next year!! A presentation of a special Ryder Cup jersey was also made to James Walsh for all his efforts over the 5 weeks. It then came to Michael Egan to present the prizes to the winning team and the coveted Ryder Cup Challenge Trophy to Captain Billy Buckley Snr. William Buckley went on to thank Michael Egan for welcoming both teams to his Sports & Leisure Centre and paid tribute to his generousInter-County sponsorship in 2008. Mick Hogan then presented Michael with a Proquip Rain Suit as a thank you and hoped he would use it if he ever took up the game. It was a day of firsts for Offaly Pitch and Putt which saw the first Ryder Cup title go to the Erry Club and then it was announcement that the highly anticipated Offlay Pitch & Putt Website was to go online that same evening. It topped off a memorable day and William Buckley finished his speach off by paying tribute to Tracey McGrath, Offaly Co. Board & Erry Pitch and Putt P.R.O., on her great efforts in her role this year that sees her envisaged website now turn into reality.

A big thanks has to go to both teams who participated over the 5 weeks in all types of weather, the team captains for their leadership, to the supporters who turned out in the cold on the final day and especially to William Buckley and Mick Hogan on dreaming up such a wonderful and successful competiton. There will be extra photos capturing the day's play and presentation to follow!



Ryder Cup Challenge Final Day: Erry's Winter Wonderland

Ryder Cup Challenge Final Day: A glance at the 18th

Ryder Cup Challenge Final Day: Erry players turn their skills to sweeping the greens

Tullamore Ryder Cup Challenge Team 2008
Back L-R: Anthony Galvin, Sean Galvin, John Fleming (Capt), Mick Hogan, Joe Hogan, Vinny Murphy
Front L-Rr: Ger Palmer, Joe Gorman, Ronnie O'Shea, Mick Byrne, Lorcan Bracken (Missing Darren O'Connell)

Erry Ryder Cup Challenge Team 2008
Back L-R: Joe McGrath Snr., Larry Maher, Larry Maher Snr., Tracey McGrath, Ger Walsh, Joseph McGrath, Sean Dunican
Front L-R: William Buckley, Joe Egan, Michael Egan (Clara Sports & Leisure Centre), Billy Buckley Snr. (Capt)
Mick Devery, Ted Kidney

Michael Egan presents the Ryder Cup Challenge Trophy to Erry Captain Billy Buckley Snr.