County League title for Riverdale

In a great day for the club, Riverdale bridged a gap to 2014 by capturing the County League title on Saturday at Lakeside, Templemore.

In the semi-final, Riverdale played Hillview of Clonmel. The game commenced with the foursomes. A high-quality opening game saw Stephen Shoer & Joseph Danagher take the opening point for Riverdale with a victory on the 18th hole. Robert Ryan & Oisin Ryan added a second point with a 2&1 victory and when John Minogue & Margaret Hennessy also won 2&1 Riverdale were ahead by 3-1 at the half way stage.

In the singles, Joseph Danagher defeated 2020 All Ireland Matchplay quarter finalist Stephen O'Reilly to add another point for Riverdale. John O’Meara turned the clock back with a 5&4 victory over Noel Joyce. Sean Minogue defeated recent Scratch Cup winner Kyle Kennedy to add another point. Robert Ryan finished with a flourish to win at the 18th against John Fitzgerald with John Minogue adding another point in a 2&1 win while with victory sealed the final game involving Margaret Hennessy was deemed a tie. The overall result then was Riverdale 8 ½ Hillview 3 ½ and Riverdale were back in the County final.

The second semi-final was a tight affair and after a great tussle Tipperary Hills defeated the holders, Larkspur Park of Cashel.

In the final, Tipperary Hills got off to a great start taking the top doubles. Riverdale squared the tie with John O’Meara & Sean Minogue winning 5&3. Robert Ryan & Oisin Ryan gave a great display to put Riverdale into the lead, John Minogue & Margaret Hennessy put Riverdale into a 3-1 lead by winning the final foursomes.

Riverdale started well in the singles when Stephen Shoer was a 6&5 victor over inter-county player Anthony Culhane. Joseph Danagher continued his good run of form to win 2&1 against Charlie Crompton. Sean Minogue took Riverdale another step to victory with a 4&3 win over Pat Martin.

The next two tight games went to Tipperary Hills and it was now 6-4 with two games remaining on the course. In both games Riverdale were trailing at the halfway stage. Margaret Hennessy fought back to reach the 18th hole with her game in the melting pot but in the final game John Minogue came from two down after eight to level the game after 12. Two great putts on 13 and 14 saw John one ahead and when he birdied the 16th hole the title was Riverdale's on a scoreline of 7-5.

Riverdale were presented with the County Shield by County Board PRO Veronica Anglim. On behalf of Riverdale, John Minogue dedicated the win to the memory of recently deceased member Thomas Kevin who was a member of many county title winning teams.

Our thanks to all the club members who travelled to Templemore on Saturday to support the team. It was great to see such support for the club.

All Ireland Strokeplay finals: for both Ladies and Gents take place next weekend and Riverdale will have ten representatives in all.

The Ladies events take place in Tullamore. On Saturday we will have three representatives in the Intermediate championship; Margaret Forde, Margaret Courtney and Liz Forde. On Sunday in the junior grade Margaret Hennessy will be our representative.

In the gent's junior grade in Stackallen on Saturday we will be represented by Jake McMahon, Ger Tuite and Robert Ryan. In the Gent's Intermediate grade in Navan our representatives will be Aaron Hogan and Oisin Ryan while on Sunday in Navan in the senior grade our representative will be Stephen Shoer. We wish all our players the very best of luck.

Tadgh O'Flynn Club Matchplay: The final will be between Conor Cleary and holder Robert Ryan. In the plate competition there are a number of second round games that are overdue to be played and players are asked to play same by Monday next.