Lahinch Golf Club defend their All-Ireland Senior Cup title as the National Finals take place at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from Friday.
The Munster Champions are joined by remaining District winners Royal County Down Ladies, Kilkenny, Roscommon and Woodbrook. Three of five District runners-up Killarney, Lurgan and Laytown & Bettystown complete the quarter-final line up.
Chloe Ryan, Sinead Sexton, Aine Donegan, Sarah Cunningham and Aideen Walsh proved a formidable force against Killarney in the Munster finals at Thurles in May. However, now that they’re back on home turf, Killarney will be aiming to make amends and retain their title of 2017.
Lahinch and Killarney could only meet again in the National Final, but Laytown & Bettystown are first on the minds of the defending champions whom they will meet on Friday morning. The team, which includes the infamous Wickham sisters as well as Irish Senior International Alison Taylor, were runners up in the East Leinster Final to Woodbrook.
Led by one handicap Sue Philips, the Wicklow club lifted the District pennant for the first time in 32-years at Dun Laoghaire. Lauren Murray, Siobhan McCartan and Emma O’Brien secured the victory for their team on that occasion. They will be hoping for a similar outcome when they meet Connacht Champions Roscommon this week.
Lahinch have a combined handicap of +5, Royal County Down Ladies are closest to that total on a combined 9 handicap. Internationals Paula Grant and Beth Coulter were supported by Anita McCaw, Molly O’Hara and Kate Evans in their win over Lurgan in the Ulster final. The latter were without Irish Women’s Close Champion Annabel Wilson for that tie, she returns for their rematch at Killarney this week.
Kilkenny have been Mid Leinster Senior Cup title holders on eighteen occasions since 1987. Former Irish Women’s Close Champion Mary Dowling and Irish Girls’ international Jan Browne will be key members of the team who face the home side in the first of their matches.
Friday morning begins with the quarter-finals and successful teams will progress in the afternoon to the semi-finals, with the final taking place on Saturday morning. All support is welcome.
Quarter-Finals – Friday 24th August
Quarter-Final 1 – 08:30 – 09:10: Lahinch v Laytown & Bettystown
Quarter-Final 2 – 09:20 – 10:00: Woodbrook v Roscommon
Quarter-Final 3 – 10:10 – 10:50: Kilkenny v Killarney
Quarter-Final 4 – 11:00 – 11:40: Royal County Down v Lurgan
Semi-Finals – Friday 25th August
14:30 Q1 -v- Q2
15:30 Q3 -v- Q4
Final – Saturday 26th August
Final 09:00 – 09:40
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