Roscommon claim Fred Daly Trophy in epic finale

Michael Connaughton (Team Captain) with the victorious Roscommon Golf Club team and supporters at the 2019 Fred Daly Trophy All Ireland Finals at Castle Dargan Golf Club today (28/09/2019). Picture by Pat Cashman

Fionn Hoare beat Stephen Riordan at the 20th to give Roscommon an epic 3-2 win over Muskerry in the All Ireland Final of the Fred Daly Trophy at Castle Dargan.

The Connacht champions beat Slieve Russell 3.5-1.5 in the sem-finals as Muskerry overcame Mullingar 4-1 at the Patrick Merrigan and Darren Clarke design in Sligo

Roscommon hero Fionn Hoare Picture by Pat Cashman

With two hours lost to the weather early in the day, the final went on late into the evening as Roscommon’s Thomas Higgins beat Jack Egan 3&2 to level the scores after Simon Walker had put Roscommon ahead with a two hole win over Fionn Hickey.

Cian O’Connor restored Roscommon’s lead with a 3&2 win over Zak Collins before the last two matches went to extra holes.

After Eoghan Shaughnessy beat Kevin Connaughton at the 19th to level the scores at 2-2, Hoare came through at the 20th to give Roscommon their first win in the event and only the second green pennant in the club’s history.

“We are all over the moon,” said team captain Michael Connaughton after Roscommon bridged a 43-year gap to their 1976 Pierce Purcell Shield triumph. “It’s a great achievement by the lads. They played their hearts out.”

Fred Daly Trophy, Castle Dargan Golf Club

All Ireland Final

Muskerry 2 Roscommon 3

1. Fionn Hickey lost to Simon Walker 2 holes;

2. Jack Egan lost to Thomas Higgins 3&2;

3. Zak Collins bt Cian O'Connor 3&2;

4. Stephen Riordan lost to Fionn Hoare 20th ;

5. Eoghan O'Shaughnessy bt Kevin Connaughton 19th.

Semi Finals

Mullingar 1 Muskerry 4

1. Adam Smith halved with Fionn Hickey;

2. Shane Murtagh lost to Jack Egan 7&5;

3. Michael McCormack lost to Zak Collin 3&2;

4. Lucas Kane halved with Stephen Riordan;

5. Mikev Mina Ronayne lost to Eoghan O'Shaughnessy 6&5

Roscommon 3.5 Slieve Russell 1.5

1. Simon Walker bt Ryan McNelis 3&1;

2. Thomas Higgins bt Odhran Maguire 6&4;

3. Cian O'Connor lost to Dillon Beirne 4&3;

4. Fionn Hoare halved wtih Jamie Hughes;

5. Kevin Connaughton bt Oisin Rooney 4&3.