Killarney to face Royal Portrush for Irish Senior Cup

Killarney's Mairead Martin. Picture: Pat Cashman

Killarney will meet Royal Portrush in the Irish Senior Cup Final at The Royal Curragh today.
 
After four tightly-contested quarter-finals, Killarney beat The Island 3-2  as Royal Portrush defeated The Heath 3.5-1.5 in the semi-finals. 

Helen Jones (Royal Portrush) is making her 33rd appearance for Royal Portrush in the Irish Senior Cup. Picture © Pat Cashman

Wins for Mairead Martin and Valerie Clancy over international team mates Julie McCarthy and Lauren Walsh paved the way for Killarney's win and while senior international Gertie McMullen cut the deficit with a 2 and 1 win over Mary Sheehy, Kelly Brotherton overcame Clodagh Walsh on the 20th to put Killarney in the final.

Emma Forbes and Hannah Henderson won early for Royal Portrush and while Molly Dowling got The Heath on the scoreboard, Lucy Simpson halved the 18th to beat Meadhbh Doyle by 1 hole to decide the tie.

Helen Jones, who is this week making her 33rd Senior Cup appearance for Royal Portrush, was all square with Shannen Brown when their match was called in, giving the Ulster team a 3 ½ to 1 ½ win. 

Irish Senior Cup

Final – Saturday 26th August

09:00 Killarney vs. Royal Portrush

Semi-Finals

Killarney 3, The Island 2 (Killarney names first)

1. Mairead Martin beat Julie McCarthy 3&1,
2. Valerie Clancy beat Lauren Walsh 1 hole,
3. Kelly Brotherton beat Clodagh Walsh 20th,
4. Mary Sheehy lost to Gertie McMullen 2&1,
5. Claire Keating halved lost to Suzy Sheehan 2&1

The Heath 1.5, Royal Portrush 3.5 (The Heath names first) 

1. Meadhbh Doyle lost to Lucy Simpson 1 hole,
2. Molly Dowling beat Gemma McClenaghan 2&1, 
3. Shannen Brown halved with Helen Jones (called-in),
4. Catherine Reilly lost to Emma Forbes 7&6,
5. Helen Kelly lost to Hannah Henderson 9&7

Quarter Finals

Killarney 4, Kilkenny 1 (Killarney names first) 

1. Mairead Martin beat Mary Dowling 4&3, 
2. Valerie Clancy beat Orla Dunphy 3&1, 
3. Kelly Brotherton beat Mary Leahy-Browne 2&1, 
4. Mary Sheehy halved with Jan Browne (called in), 
5. Eimear O’Donnell halved with Anne Smee (called in)

Roscommon 0.5, The Island 4.5 (Roscommon names first) 

1. Ruth Lennon lost to Julie McCarthy 5&4, 
2. Chloe O’Connor lost to Lauren Walsh 5&4, 
3. Aisling Hill lost to Clodagh Walsh 7&6, 
4. Paula Quinn halved with Gertie McMullen (called in),
5. Ciara Ryan lost to Suzy Sheehan 7&6

The Heath 3.5, Royal County Down Ladies 1.5 (The Heath names first)

1. Mary Doyle lost to Paula Grant 2&1, 
2. Meadhbh Doyle beat Danielle McVeigh 1 hole, 
3. Molly Dowling beat Clare Calvert 5&4, 
4. Shannon Browne halved with Lavinia Bowe (called-in),
5. Catherine Reilly beat Katie Poots 4&2

Lahinch 2, Royal Portrush 3 (Lahinch names first)

1. Sinead Sexton lost to Lucy Simpson 19th,
2. Sarah Cunningham lost to Gemma McClenaghan 3&1,
3. Aine Donegan beat Helen Jones 3&2,
4. Aideen Walsh beat Emma Forbes 2&1,
5. Olivia Lucas lost to Hannah Henderson 3&1