Greene and McDonnell top Hilary men at Portmarnock Links

An archive picture of John Greene (Carlow/Portmarnock) driving on the 16th tee during the first round of the 2013 Irish Amateur Open Championship at The Royal Dublin Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Portmarnock's John Greene showed that he may be a dark horse for some championship fireworks at Rosses Point when he claimed the gross in Sunday's first Hilary Golf Society outing of the 2017 season at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Brendan McDonnell from The K Club took the top prize with a three-under par 68, the highlight of his fine round coming at the sixth, where he pencilled in an eagle three,

Greene, the 2010 South of Ireland champion, took the gross with an excellent 70 and if he continues to knock the rust off his game over the winter, he may be a man on a mission by the time he turns up for the West of Ireland Championship at Easter.

The nett runner-up spot went to Paul Reilly from County Louth with a 69. 

Dundalk's Clem Walshe finished in third place with a 70 beating a number of players thanks to his superior last nine holes.

Paul Reilly was joined by Alan Doherty (Corrstown), Ray Gregan (Forrest Little), and Terry Lilly ( Slade Valley) in winning the team prize with a fine 61. It was also won on the break of a tie over the last three holes.

The CSS for Gold and Silver medal purposes was 70.

An email will issue mid-week regarding the time sheet for Seapoint on February 19.