Corcoran cruises in Close semis

Woodenbridge Golf Club. Leading qualifier Suzanne Corcoran defeated Clodagh Hopkins to advance to the semi finals of the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Woodenbridge.

In glorious sunshine, Corcoran continued her recent strong run of form and now faces The Island’s Gertie McMullen (after she dispatched Mairead MacNamara of Woodbrook from the last eight.

In the other semi final, Laytown & Bettystown’s Carol Wickham survived a titantic duel with Sheena McElroy, winner of the title three times in the past five years, while Donabate’s Pat Doran defeated the ever improving Mary MacLaren of Royal Portrush on the home green.

Earlier in the day, Corcoran defeated final qualifier Mary Dowling of Mallow while Hopkins notched a surprising win over current international Kate Evans from RCD Ladies.

Mairead McNamara of Woodbrook edged out championship favourite Laura Webb (Cairndhu) at the second tie hole while Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) ended Violet McBride’s hopes of a maiden victory.

Second qualifier Pat Doran (Donabate) comfortably saw off Connie Doyle (Enniscorthy) and Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) played the full layout defeating Pauline Walsh (Headfort) on the home green.

In the Plate, Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast) progressed to play Mary Duane (Hermitage) while championship stalwart Valerie Hassett (Ennis) will play Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) in the second semi final.

IRISH SENIORS CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP – WOODENBRIDGE GOLF CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS

09.18 Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) -v- Gertie McMullen (The Island)

09.27 Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) -v- Pat Doran (Donabate)

CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) beat Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook) 3/2

Gertie McMullen (The Island) beat Mairéad MacNamara (Woodbrook) 7/6

Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) beat Sheena McElroy (Grange) 1up

Pat Doran (Donabate) beat Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) 2up

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) beat Mary Dowling (Mallow) 2/1

Clodagh Hopkins (Woodbrook) beat Kate Evans (RCD Ladies) 1up

Gertie McMullen (The Island) beat Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) 5/4

Mairéad MacNamara (Woodbrook) beat Laura Webb (Cairndhu) at 20th

Sheena McElroy (Grange) beat Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) 3/2

Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) beat Violet McBride at 20th

Mary MacLaren (Royal Portrush) beat Pauline Walsh (Headfort) 2up

Pat Doran (Donabate) beat Connie Doyle (Enniscorthy) 7/5

PLATE SEMI-FINALS

09.00 Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast) –v- Mary Duane (Hermitage)

09.09 Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) –v- Valerie Hassett (Ennis)

PLATE QUARTER FINALS

Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast) beat Gemma Butler (Birr) 6/5

Mary Duane (Hermitage) beat Catherine Reilly (The Heath) 4/3

Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) beat Lily Owens (Malahide) 3/2

Valerie Hassett (Ennis) beat Fiona McComb (Ballycastle) 2/1

PLATE ROUND 1

Marilyn Henderson (Royal Belfast) beat Marie Conlon (The Heath) 1up

Gemma Butler (Birr) beat Toni McDonagh (Fortwilliam) 3/1

Mary Duane (Hermitage) beat Sally Casey (Seapoint) 4/2

Catherine Reilly (The Heath) beat Adrienne Crowley (Woodbrook) 4/3

Lily Owens (Malahide) beat Mary Powell (Nenagh) 7/6

Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) beat Valerie Shannon (Lahinch) 2/1

Fiona McComb (Ballycastle) beat Breda Murphy (Woodenbridge) 2up

Valerie Hassett (Ennis) beat Penny Gleeson (Milltown) 1up