Galway Golf Club won their 4th All-Ireland Barton Shield at Shandon Park Golf Club on Thursday 13th September 2007.
They met Leinster Champions Forrest Little Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on the Wednesday and recorded a 2-hole win over the North Dublin club.
First on the tee were Eddie McCormack with Damien Glynn against Eoin Arthurs with Adrian Brogan when the Galway pair lost out by 2-holes. They were followed by Joe Lyons with Tom Nolan against Joe McCarty with Conor O'Toole and recorded a 4-hole win, which set them up for a place in the All-Ireland Final the following Day.
Joe Lyons had a wonderful years golf having won the West of Ireland and was runner-up in the South of Ireland only to lose out by 1-hole to Darren Crowe at Lahinch, resulting in he being called up for the Home Internationals. Tom Nolan is probably better known for his exploits on the hurling pitch having been a member of the victorious Galway team that lifted the McCarty Cup in 1988.
Galway met Ulster Champions Moyola Park Golf Club in the decider when the pairings remained the same, McCormack and Glynn were drawn against Mark Hammond with Damien McCusker, when the pair recorded a convincing 5-hole victory over the Belfast pair. Joe Lyons with Tom Nolan halved their match against Randal Evans with Luke Lennox, to give them a resounding 5-holy victory and make some amends for their dramatic loss at Rosslare Golf Club in 2005 when they lost on the 20th-hole.
Galway Golf Club won the Connacht Final of the Irish Junior Foursomes in 2007, and they went up the road to Westport Golf Club to participate in the All-Ireland decider on Thursday 28th August. They were drawn against Leinster Champions South County Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
First on the tee was Damien McDonough (5) with Patrick McLynn (5) against Moss Landman (6) with Nils Conway (8), the lads from Brittas won their match by 2-holes. They were followed by Shane O'Connor (3) with Peter McAnena (10) against Simon McGirr (4) with Jonathon Webster (6) again the match went the way of the South County lads by 1-hole.
So it was not to be for the lads from Salthill and it must have been particularly painful for Shane O'Connor and Damien McDonough who were survivors of the 2005 team that lost out at Dungarvan Golf Club at the same stage.
The Ladies of Galway Golf Club won their Regional Final in the Suzuki Senior Cup and participated in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals at Milltown Golf Club on Friday 31st August 2007; where they were drawn against Ennis Golf Club, the eventual winners.
First on the tee was Sarah Faller who won he match by 6 and 4 against Maura McNicholas, she was followed by Orla Barry who halved her match with Pamela Murphy. Next up was Doireann Carney who lost he match to Sarah Cunningham by 2 and 1. The penultimate match of Geraldine Neville against Valerie Hassett went 3 and 2 to the lady from Ennis. The bottom match of Sheelagh Kearney against young Ciara Pender, saw Ciara win by 4 and 3 and clinch their place in the All-Ireland Semi-Final the following day with a 3 ½ matches to 1 ½ matches to the near neighbours.
On Saturday the 16th September 2006 Galway Golf Club recorded their first ever All-Ireland victory in the Irish Senior Cup at Enniscrone Golf Club.
They beat Co. Sligo in the Connacht Final at Enniscrone on Sunday 13th August in a gripping match that say Tom Nolan go up the 19th against David Dunne to decide the match for Nolan to record a 3 matches to 2 matches result for the men from Salthill, that's how close as it can get in this, the highest echelon of Amateur Golf.
It was on to Enniscrone on Friday 15th September where they were drawn against the Leinster Champions, The Island Golf Club in the morning matches. Joe Lyons was drawn against young David Rawluk whom he beat by 5 and 4. Next on the tee was Eddie McCormack against The Islands number one Eoin O'Sullivan and secured victory by 1-hole. Next up was David Scully against Declan Moran who recorded a 3 and 1 win to put the result beyond argument, the penultimate match saw Stephen Keenan halve with Robert McCarthy and the final match saw Tom Nolan lose out to Andrew Pitcher by 6 and 5.
Having had a comfortable win over the Leinster Champions they meet the Ulster Champions The Knock Golf Club the following day in the All-Ireland decider. Joe Lyons was first up again against The Knocks number-one Michael Sinclair and returned a very valuable half for the men from the West. He was followed by Eddie McCormack who had a convincing 4 and 3 win over Edward McAnoy. Keeping the same order Galway sent out David Scully against Nicky Grant who returned a comfortable 5 and 3 result. It was now down to Keenan or Nolan to deliver the vital halve to give Galway the only Green Pennant missing from their wall. The halve was not long-a-coming as Stephen Keenan duly halved with Colin Fairweather and Tom Nolan put the icing-on-the-cake with a comfortable win over James Patterson by 4 and 3.
I must admit that I was surprised to learn that this was Galway's first All-Ireland Senior Cup victory as the club house is littered with Green Pennants with 3-Barton Shields for good measure
Galway Golf Club won the Connacht Final of the Bulmers Senior Cup and were drawn against Ulster Champions North West Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare Golf Club on Friday 16th September 2005.
John Neary was drawn against Padraig MacLochlainn in the top match when he had a 2 and 1 win to give Galway first blood. He was followed by Eddie McCormack who had the unenviable task of playing Brian McElhinney and lost out to the reigning British Amateur Champion by 3 and 2. Irish International Mark O'Sullivan was drawn against his Irish team mate Michael McGeady in the 3rd match, in what was to be Michael's second last match as an amateur, the Donegal player won by 3 and 2. Joe Lyons was up against Pauric Og O'Flaherty in the 4th match and had a convincing 3 and 2 win over the Donegal man. So it was all down to the bottom match of Tom Nolan against Garrett Mallon, the match finished on the 18th with North West booking their place in the All-Ireland Final against Hermitage which they eventually won the following day.
Galway Golf Club won the Connacht Final of the Bulmers Barton Shield and were drawn against Munster Champions Ballybunion at Rosslare Golf Club on Wednesday 14th September 2005 in he All-Ireland Semi-Finals.
John Neary & Eddie McCormack were out against Eoin O'Connor & Hannes Boch whom they beat by 6-holes, they were followed by Joe Lyons & Mark O'Sullivan who beat J. D. Guiney & Peter Sheehan by 5-holes.
They met Ulster Champions Warrenpoint in the All-Ireland Final in he afternoon when John Neary & Eddie McCormack were drawn against Barrie Trainor & Paul Reavey who lost by 1-hole, they were followed by Joe Lyons & Mark O'Sullivan against Jim Carvill & Colm Campbell who tied the match with a 1-hole victory. The bottom pairing went into sudden-death and the Ulster Champions clinched it on the Par-3 20th hole.
Galway Golf Club won the Connacht Final of the Irish Junior Cup and were drawn against Munster Champions Clonmel Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare Golf Club on 14th September 2005.
First on the tee was Jonathan Hehir who had a convincing 4 and 3 win over Barry McMenamin, he was followed by Gary Scott who beat Pat Johnson by 3 and 1. Next up was Joe Costello who went all the way to the 19th-hole before delivering the vital point against Billy Hewitt. The penultimate match saw Michael Hennelly lose out to Billy MaEvoy by 3 and 1. The bottom match between Eddie Mulholland and Brian McLean saw the Clonmel player record a 4 and 3 win for the Munster side, however Galway had done enough to see them safely through to the All-Ireland Final.
They met Ulster Champions in the Final who had overcome Leinster Champions Castle G. C. in their Semi-Final by 3 matches to 2 matches.
Jonathan Hehir lead the Galway team again and only lost his match on the 19th against Gary Brown, which proved to be the deciding match as to where the green pennant would find a home. He was followed by Gary Scott who had a convincing 5 and 4 win over Conan McLarnon. Next up was Joe Costello who lost to Paul Maguire by 5 and 3. The penultimate match was between Michael Hennelly who lost by 3 and 2 to Gary O'Hara. The bottom match between Eddie Mulholland who lost his match by the narrowest of margins to Michael Tierney on the 18th. So it was not to be Galway's year having got 3-teams to the National Finals, they returned to Salthill without a green pennant, however when visiting this pleasant club take time to have a look at the amount of All-Irelands this famous club has won in the past at all levels and no doubt will win many more in the future with their fine youths policy.
Galway Golf Club won the Connacht Final of the Cidona Irish Junior Foursomes and were drawn against Munster Champions West Waterford Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Dungarvan Golf Club on 24th August 2005.
The team was Shane O'Connor & Jack Melia against David Curran & Philip Walsh who won their match by 1-hole against the West Waterford duo. Next on the tee was Damien Hehir & Damien McDonough who lost their match by 4-holes.
Galway Golf Club and county had a September they would rather forget in 2005. The county lost the All-Ireland Hurling Final to Cork, they sent three teams to Rosslare Golf Club for the Bulmers Cups & Shields for the three most prestigious All-Irelands, the Barton Shield, the Senior Cup and the Junior Cup, regrettably they all returned empty handed, however it all indicates how healthy the game is in the club with an long history of achievements since its foundation in 1895.
So it was down to the over 60 to deliver the most prestigious pennant in this age group the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in which over 180 clubs throughout Ireland participated. Having beaten Ulster Champions County Cavan in the All-Ireland Semi-Final by 3-matches to 2-matches, they met Leinster Champions Stackstown in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday 18th September at the picturesque Woodenbridge Golf Club in Co. Wicklow.
They were lead by Joe Corless & Bill Burke against Pat Malone & Tony O'Mahoney who lost by the narrowest of margins on the 18th, they were followed by Bosco McDermott (he of he Galway 3-in-a-row 60' team) & Mick Dunne against John Kavanagh & Sean O'Dwyer this match was decided on the 19th, next on the tee was Sean Hosty (Sean was Secretary of the Connacht GUI for many years) & Tom Ford against Tom O'Donohue & John Mahony who halved their match. The 4th match say Michael O'Hagan & Des Feely pitched against Pat McNiallais & Patsy O'Connor who lost out on the 18th, the anchor team was Denis McSweeney & Tom Feeney against Frank Kavanagh & Tom Kiely who recorded a halve in what was a gripping match.
2005 Lady Captain Deirdre Corcoran and her Captain's Prize winner Raymonde Standun qualified in the Volkswagen/Irish Independent Lady Captain's Classic in this scotch foursomes format. It was off to the National Finals at The Heritage Golf Club on Monday 3rd October where they were paired with the Tipperary pair of Jo Kinahan and Ann Crotty.
Sinead O'Sullivan was selected on the Irish Ladies team for the Home Internationals, where they retained the trophy and recorded their 7th victory, played at Royal Porthcawl from 8th to 10th September 2004. Sinead was selected on the Connacht ILGU Team for the Interprovincial's. Played at Ballybunion Golf Club from 18th to 20th August 2004.
Mark O'Sullivan was selected on the Connacht team for the Interprovincial Matches played at Portmarnock Golf Club from 11th to 13th August 2004.
Galway won the Connaught Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 2002 and were drawn against Ulster Champions Clandeboye in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals on their home course on September 6th, when they lost out to the Ulster Champions. The team was Stephen Keenan, Dara Forde, Mark O'Sullivan, John Nolan, John Glinn, Gavan McGranaghan and David Cunningham. They were captained by Michael Molloy.
Galway won the Connacht Seniors Inter-Club Championship at their home club on August 25th 2002, having won it in 2001, when they beat Ballinrobe by 5-5 in a play-off. The match had a dramatic ending when C. Garrett playing with K. Geraghty holed out on the 20th hole.
The Ladies of Galway Golf Club won the I.LG.U. Western District Linda Black Trophy in 2002.
Sinead O'Sullivan was selected on the Irish Team for the European Young Masters at Augsburg, Germany in July 2002. They finished fourth behind Spain, France and England.
Galway won the Connacht Final of the Barton Shield at Roscommon Golf Club, in 2001 when they beat Connemara by 3-holes. At Newlands Golf Club on the 20th September, they were drawn against UCD in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. The team was Gavin McGranaghan and David Cunningham who were drawn against Mark Campbell and Paul McDonnell. Tom Nolan and Daire Loughnane were drawn against Justin Keogh and Cathel Conathy. They were Captained by Shane O'Mahony. This very good team with two recent South of Ireland winners on it won by 4-holes and went on to win the National title.
Galway also won the Connacht Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Roscommon when they beat Athlone by 3 matches to 2 matches. They were drawn against Mallow in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and were narrowly beaten on the 21st hole in the last match, which was carried over until the Saturday due to darkness. The squad was John Glynn, Daire Loughnane, David Cunningham, Tom Nolan, Gavin McGranaghan, Brian McGranaghan and Padraic Shallow. They were Captained By Shane O'Mahony, Mallow went on to win the Bulmers All-Ireland Senior Cup for the first time.
Mark O'Sullivan who was runner-up in the Irish Youths Championship at Enniscrone Golf Club joined the Irish Youths Champion Mark Ryan to represent Ireland in the European Under 21 Championship at Turnberry on 25th-26th October 2001. Mark was also on the Irish team that played Wales at Ashburnham on 27th April 2001.
Sinead O'Sullivan was selected for the Connacht Girls' team in the Smurfit Interprovincial Championship at Enniscrone Golf Club from the 18th to the 20th of April 2001.
Kathleen and Pat Ivers were runners-up in the in the first regional qualifiers of the Spar-Irish Independent National Mixed Pairs Challenge held at Galway Bay Golf & Country Club in late May 2001. Kathleen playing off 25 and Pat off 13 posted a score of 53 points. They were three shots off their friends and neighbours Alice and Ted Murphy of Oughterard Golf Club. It was then on to Adare Manor Golf & Country Club for the National Finals in August. They were joined by their club-mates Olive and Michael Breen. Olive playing off 19 and Michael off 13 posted 51 points.
Prior to 2001:
Galway Golf Club won the European and All-Ireland Aer Lingus Club Championship in 1978, when the team was J. Power, G. Kelly and M. Quaid. They were captained by M. P. O'Donoghue.
Galway won the J. B. Carr All-Ireland Diamond Trophy in 1997, at Woodenbridge Golf Club, when the team was Frank O'Sullivan Denis McSweeney, Mick Hernon, Sean McSweeney, Tom Forde, Denis O'Byrne, Tom O'Connor, John Ryan, Brendan Dowling, Gerry Molloy, Brendan Ward and Bosco McDermott. They were captained by Paraic Cummins.
Galway won the All-Ireland Smurfit Junior Foursomes in 1984, when the team was T. Ford, T. Murphy, S. Colleran, K. Feeley and D. Butler. They captained by D. Feeley and managed by G. Colleran.
Galway have won the All-Ireland Barton Shield at Royal Co. Down G. C. in 1999, when the team was Mark O'Sullivan, Stephen Keenan, David Cunningham, Ken Kearney, Daire Loughnane, Gavin McGranagham and they were captained by Peter Scott, Mick Dowd was manager.
They won the All-Ireland Barton Shield at Portmarnock in 1972, when the team was D. Mahon, M. A. Lynch, Sean Hosty, T. O'Connor and F. Cooney. They were captained by T. Forde.
They won the All-Ireland Barton Shield for the first tine on their home course in 1957, when the team was P. Smith, J. Abernethy, K. Wallace and S. Ward, they were captained by P. Howard.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at home in 1986, when the team was T. Ford Jnr. N. Greaney, D. Butler, E. Lynch, D. Taylor, J. Power and P. Hennelly. They were captained by M. Molloy.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Ballybunion G. C. in 1958, when the team was Very Rev. M. Cannon, C. Rooney, G. Smye, T. O'Connor, Sean Hosty and G. Molloy. They were captained by P. M. O'Beirn.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup on their home course in 1957, when the team was P. M. O'Brien, J. O'Donnell, Sean Hosty, T. O'Connor, G. Molloy and G. Smye. They were captained by P. Howard.
They had there first win in All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup at Castle G. C. in 1938, when the team was Desmond Kenny, Jack O'Driscoll, Conor O'Malley and Joe Stewart, the team captain was Rev. M. Garahy.
They won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Grange G. C. in 1981, when the team was W. Herterich, M. Dowd, M. Breen, D. Staunton, T. Flemming, P. Frier, B. McDermott, W. Burke, D. Boyce, C. Lennon, D. Shaughnessy, M. Molloy and T. Noonan.
They won the All-Ireland Pierce Purcell Shield at Co. Sligo G. C. in 1982, when the team was S. Morris, B. Noone, T. Donoghue, M. Corcoran, B. Carney, J. Shiel, M. Ruane, D. Dooley, I. Flannery, T. Carr, B. Forde and T. O'Connor. They were captained by G. Hartmann.
They won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Woodbrook G. C. in 1993, when the team was Pat Sheehan, Jimmy Duggan, Bill Noon, Billy Burke, Bosco McDermott, Kevin Muldoon, Michael Breen, Ger O'Farrell, John Walshe, Pat Canney, Bob Hackett, Martin Greaney, Pat Donnellan, Murt Greaney and Michael Corcoran. They were captained by John Flaherty.
They won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Killarney G. C. in 1992, when the team was Billy Burke, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Pat Donnellan, John Walshe, Martin Greaney, Pat Sheehan, Bosco McDermott, Jack Carroll, Murt Greaney, Billy Noone, they were captained by John Flaherty.
They won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Cork G. C. in 1988, when the team was Noel O'Shaughnessy, Padraic Fahy, Tom Donoghue, Brendan Keane, Bosco McDermott, Tom Green, Bob Hackett, Martin Greaney, Michael Corcoran, Murt Greaney, Eugene Dunleavy, Michael Molloy, Mill Noone and Kevin Geraghty, they were captained by Albert Carney.
They won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield home in 1978, and they won their first at The Royal Dublin in 1974, when the team was E. O'Donnell, P. Gibson, C./ McCarrick, C. Tyrell, G. Kelly, B. McDermott, J. Cawley, T. Kelly, M. Waters and T. Flemming. They were captained by J. Cunningham.
They won the All-Ireland Smurfit Junior Foursomes in 1983, when the team was S. Keenan, M. Waldron, T. Ford, B. Greaney and J. Dooley, they were captained by D. Feeley.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Mixed Foursomes twice, at Courtown G. C. in 1992, when the team was N. Boylan, M. Dowd, A. Carney, D. O'Connor, J. Corless, M. Breen, J. Duggan, G. Quaid, J. Lowery, J. McHugh, P. Donnellan, L. O'Neill, P. O'Connor, M. Greaney, K. Thorton and N. Hennelly.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Mixed Foursomes first won it at Belvoir Park G. C. in 1990, when the team was Joe Corless, Francis Kavanagh, Tom Nolan, Pat Quinn, Mattie Greaney, Patricia Coman, Michael Breen, Pat Donnellan, Noleen Boylan, Ronnie Keenan, Joe Cawley, Noleen Hennelly and Clare Burke. They were captained by Jim Cawley.
Dara Loughnane was selected on the Connaught Seniors for the Interprovincial Championship in 2000.
Jimmy Duggan has hung up his football boots and like so many of us have taken to the fairways Jimmy was on the 1966 All-Ireland winning team, teamed up with Rita Hannon (16) from Ballyhaunis G. C. to win the Spar-Irish Independent National Mixed Pairs at Glasson, and booked their place in the finals at St. Margaret's. They shot 61 points in this unique competition, where the first six holes are played as a scramble, the next six as foursomes and the last six as singles.
Mark O'Sullivan was selected on the G.B. & Ireland Boys team for 1999 and he played in the European Amateur Team Championship at Uppsala, Sweden, in July, 1999, and represented Ireland in the Boys' Home Internationals at Conwy, G. C. ,Wales, in August 1999, having won the Leinster Boys at Craddockstown, on 22 July, 1999, and played Connaught Youths in 1998, and 1999.
Ken Kearney was playing his golf out of Galway G. C., when he won the East of Ireland at Baltray with a record-breaking score on the 7th June, 1999, and was selected to play for the Irish Men's Home International's at Royal Co. Down on 22nd-24th June 1999.
Sinead O'Sullivan, was selected on the ILGU Junior squad in November 2000, she and her sister of Mary, won the Connaught Under 16 Girls, in July, 1999.
D. Butler participated in the Boys' Home International matches in 1986, and 1987.
David Cunningham participated in the Boys' Home Internationals in 1987, playing Connaught Boys' in 1994, and represented Connaught from 1987 to 1997; he played Connaught Youths, from 1987 'to 1990, playing 21 matches.
D. Caulfield represented Connaught in 1984, he played Connaught Youths, from 1980 to 1984, playing 15 matches.
D. Mac Sweeney represented Connaught in 1995, and played Munster Youths from 1992 to 1993, playing 10 matches.
M. Quaid represented Connaught from 1979 to 1990, playing 22 matches.
M. J. Quirke represented Connaught in 1980.
P. Scott represented Connaught in 1984.
D. Cunningham played Connaught Youths from 1995 to 1998, playing 11 matches.
G. Fitzgerald played Connaught Youths in 1980.
T. Forde played Connaught Youths from 1986 to 1988, playing 14 matches.
B. Frost played Connaught Youths from 1981 to 1982.
D. Kilfeather played Connaught Youths in 1983.
B. McGranaghan played Connaught Youths in 1997.
Mark O'Sullivan played Connaught Youths from 1997 to 1998, playing 10 matches, and Connaught Boys in 1997 and 1998, having played 12 matches.
Paul Daly played Connaught Boys in 1995.
Deire Loughnane played Connaught Boys in 1997 and 1998, playing 12 matches.
Gavin McGranaghan played Connaught Boys from 1996 to 1997, playing 12 matches.
Cliona O'Neill played for the Irish Girls in 1978.
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