Castlegregory Golf Club

In contrast to Eddie O’Sullivan and his rugby squad in France, our Nines of Kerry team managers Gorretti O’Connor and Mike Williams got the tactics and motivation just right on Saturday last, when our team overwhelmed Parknasilla in the semi final. Played over a blustery and very testing Castlegregory course (whoever chose the pin positions has a job waiting for them at Augusta), our pairings proved too strong for our gallant friends from South Kerry. After a fine away win in the previous round over Dunloe this was a very professional performance that ensured participation in the final for the second time in three years. As we all know, we were Nines of Kerry champions for the first time in our short history in 2005. This year the final will again be played at the beautiful Castlerosse Golf Course in Killarney with our opponents yet to be decided. The final is fixed for Saturday 6^th October, with the presentation and dinner afterwards in the Castlerosse Hotel.

With some squad members on All Ireland Final duty and others away on holidays, the panel that faced Parknasilla on Saturday was:

Gorretti O’Connor, Edel Randles, Merlyn O’Connor, Lori Fitzgerald, Marian Kennedy, Helen Besselling, Marie McCarthy, Tina Moriarty, Mike Keane, John Rowan, Joe Mulcahy, Eddie Hanafin, Liam Ryan, Mike Burrows, Pat Prendeville, Ger Callanan and George Nash.

Captain’s Note

It is a great pleasure to be involved with our Nines of Kerry team. What a competitive bunch you all are and what a credit to our wonderful club. I got some marvellous comments from our Parknasilla opponents in relation to the courtesy, hospitality and help shown to them – help in relation to understanding the course and not in relation to golf I hope! It’s great to hear these comments from a visiting team. It’s now on to the final in Castlerosse on 6^th October and win, lose or draw I know that you will all give it everything and represent our club with pride and honour. As this is the final inter-club competition of this Captain’s year, I expect the occasion to be celebrated in a proper fashion!

Thanks to managers Gorretti and Mike, all panel members and all who helped on Saturday. Special thanks to Fergus Moroney for acting as referee for the match.........George.