Cloverhill Golf Club - Second win for Shane

The damp start to Sunday did little to the enthusiasm of members who turned out in record numbers for Charlie O Hare's Captains Day. The first objective of all participants was to qualify for the third nine hole playoff. Last year 38 points was the cut off point this year it was one higher with 39 points making the cut. In all there were 19 qualifiers who were just separated

By 4 points with Sean Campbell, Mark Conlon and Shane Grant leading the field with 43 points. David Pilkington (7) posted the clubhouse lead of 60 points following a third nine return of 21. This score was not passed by any of the other qualifiers with only the three 43 point leaders left on the course. A packed clubhouse gallery watched the par 3 seventh the last hole of the nine. Mark Conlon (15) rolled in 20 footer for birdie to rapturous applause. Shane Grant (11) followed his chip with a 14 foot par putt and Sean Campbell (10) also weighed in with a par. Amazingly the leading trio all finished with 20 points each for the third nine for an overall total of 63. On the count back Captain Charlie announced to a captive audience that Shane was the winner from Mark in the most dramatic of finishes in the clubs history. Back in 1999 in the inaugural Captains Day at Cloverhill the winner on that occasion was Shane Grant who now joins Colin McParland and David Pilkington as dual Captains prize-winners. The clubhouse was packed for the presentation and meal hosted by the Captain on Sunday night which was followed by the presentation of some fabulous prizes which matched the splendid day had by the very popular Charlie. Captains Day roll of honour

Winner- Shane Grant

Second-Mark Conlon

Third- Sean Campbell

Fourth-David Pilkington

Gross- Colin Pilkington 71

Leading Qualifier-Mark Keogh

Third Nine-Shane Collins

Front Nine- Noel Magill 24 pts

Back Nine-Martin Reel- 25 pts

Longest Drive- Daniel Hughes

Nearest the Pin- Shane O Neill

Amen Corner- Miceal McGuinness 9 pts

Best Dressed- Colin Pilkington

Ladies Winner-Fionnuala Conlon 34 pts

Visitors First- Rory O Neill

Visitors Second- Mickey McMahon

Seniors First- John Byrne

Seniors Second-Turlough O Brien

Past Captains- Jim McKay.

Charlie got his big week off to a terrific start by capturing the Wednesday Cup over the back nine green markers with a return of 21 points. On Thursday the seniors section of the club played for the Captains Prize and it was Charlie's Vice -Captain John Byrne who emerged the winner with 41 points from Turlough O Brien who was a point further back.

The Friday Open winner this week saw his prayers finally being answered as former prolific winner Fr Kevin Cullen visited the winner’s enclosure for the first time in over twelve months. It took 22 points over the back nine to get Fr Kevin home against Padraig Fallon after they both shot 41 points with Noel Magill third

The next open is on June 25 with an Entry fee of £10 or €12 for visitors and £5 or €6 for members. Tee times must be booked.tel-02830 889374 G.U.I. CARD required. GUI Vouchers for the first three places.

The Pierce Purcell team were beaten 4-1 by the defending All-Ireland champions Letter Kenny in Killymoon on Monday. The Jimmy Bruen team face Portstewar at Masseerene. The Junior Cowdy team under team captain John Byrne took on Omagh at Cloverhill and enjoyed a 4-0 win to take to Omagh next Sunday. Declan O Neill and Padraig Fallon came from four down early on to win the opening match 2-1. Brendan Hughes and Ollie Martin were 5/4 winners in match two. Conor McGivern and Gene Hughes made it 3-0 with a 4/2 win before the fourth match produced a 4/3 win for Jim Conroy and Barry McKeown. The Rossmore Cup side under the guidance of Seamus McGivern went to Clones. And came away with a very creditable 2-2 draw for the return leg at Cloverhill on July 3. Our two in a row defending Sam Rutherford team begin the defence of their title away to Dungannon on this coming Saturday.

The singles stable ford 3 categories competition on Sunday was minus a few players because of club commitments but enabled others to step up to the plate and visit the winners enclosure. Shane Collins (21) was the overall winner with 43 points and lost two shots for his troubles. Jim McKay (6) won section one with 38 points from Mark Keogh. Category Two was won by Liam Moan (17) on a count back from Larry O Rourke (21) after both returned 40 points. Niall McEnaney (28) was a first time winner as he won category three with 36 points one better than Brendan O Rourke.

The June Monthly Medal will take place next weekend.