It will be a clash of familiar sporting foes as Galway are set to take on Kilkenny in the final of the AIG Women’s Intermediate Foursomes after Athenry and Castlecomer battled through two nail-biting affairs on an exciting day in Gort.
Gort Golf Club played host to some brilliant play as eight teams went toe to toe all fighting for a chance to write their names in the history books in both the Women’s Intermediate Foursomes and the AIG Men’s Pierce Purcell Shield.
The Pierce Purcell Shield finalists were the first to be decided as Co Cavan took on Athlone and Cahir Park faced Tulfarris.
Co Cavan were the first team to book their spot, sharing the spoils with Athlone in Match 1 before Noel Johnston, Patrick O’Reilly, Mattie Reilly and Damien Johnston picked up the winning points in Match 2 (4&3) and Match 3 (3&2).
Cahir Park await in tomorrow’s final. The Tipperary side securing a 3 to 1 win over Tulfarris, picking up 5&4 wins in the top and bottom match of the morning to send them through.
Cahir have never claimed a AIG Pierce Purcell title in their club’s history, coming closest when reaching the final last year, and though they have that experience behind them, team captain John Morrissey is not looking beyond the first tee shot tomorrow morning.
“I know what it is like to lose one because we did last year,” said Morrissey.
“They say you have to lose one to win one so hopefully but there’s a long way to go yet. Plenty of golf to be played yet, Cavan looked very good out there.”
The AIG Women’s Intermediate Foursomes semi-finals were next up with both ties going right down to the wire.
Athenry saw themselves through after a tough battle with Rathcore which came down to the final hole of the final match.
Having won Match 1 and 2 a half would be enough in Match 4 and with Maria Conlon and Marion O’Brien duly obliging on 18, the result cued huge celebrations around the 18th green.
Finally in the tightest match of the day, Castlecomer needed extra holes to get past a dogged Ennis side. Teresa Manning and Emma Walsh coming out on top on the second playoff hole to see the Kilkenny side through to the first ever AIG Women’s Intermediate Final.
“We are surprised and delighted. It was brilliant, Emma and Teresa had been our playoff pairs before but never got tested so they have stood the ground of the test today. It was touch and go from the 18th, all the way around it could have been any way, nip and tuck. They all put in their best effort” said team manager Honoria Fogarty.
“The plan is to recoup, reassess and find a team for tomorrow as good as the team if not better than today.”
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