O'Flaherty retains Lee Valley Scratch Cup

Gary O'Flaherty (Cork) pictured during the final round of the Lee Valley Scratch Cup. Picture: Niall O'Shea

Defending champion Gary O’Flaherty closed with a level par 72 to win the Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup for the third time in seven years.

Lee Valley Captain Brian O'Donovan presents the Lee Valley Scratch Cup to Gary O'Flaherty (Cork), also included are sponsors Peter Tuite (BoyleSports), Rory O'Doherty (ODG Advisory), Jerry Keohane and Jim O'Callaghan. Picture: Niall O'Shea

The Cork golfer opened with a 75 but then took advantage of preferred lies on Saturday afternoon, blasting an eight-under 64 to open up a two-shot lead over Galway's Ronan Mullarney

Tougher conditions on the final day prevented the chasing bunch from closing the gap and O'Flaherty's 72 was good enough for a four-shot win over Massereene's Tiarnan McLarnon on five-under 211 with South of Ireland champion James Sugrue third on level par.

Lee Valley Senior Scratch Cup, Lee Valley GC (Par 72)

1. Gary O’Flaherty 75 64 72 211

2. Tiarnan McLarnon 71 74 70 215

3. James Sugrue 70 73 73 216

4. Keith Crowley 72 73 73 218

5. Sean Desmond 72 70 76 218

6. Jack McDonnell 70 72 77 219

7. Ronan Mullarney 70 71 78 219

8. Anthony McDaid 75 69 77 221

9. John Hickey 72 76 73 221

10. Ian O’Rourke 76 74 72 222

11. Cathal Butler 74 74 75 223

12. Greg O’Mahony 70 76 77 223

13. Jason Galway 75 73 76 224

14. Eanna Griffin 74 74 76 224

15. James Temple 77 75 73 225

16. Kieran McCarthy 77 68 80 225 

17. Hugh Foley 76 74 75 225

18. Rob Brazill 75 70 80 225

19. Paul Tobin 74 73 78 225

20. Andrew McCormack 74 73 78 225

21. Scott O'Brien 73 73 79 225

22. Brian Lenihan 71 77 77

Gary O'Flaherty (Cork) with the Lee Valley Scratch Cup. Picture: Niall O'Shea