Ennis ace Valerie Hassett fired a remarkable five over par 78 in atrocious weather conditions to lead the qualifiers by one stroke at the Irish Senior Women’s Close Championship at Hollystown Golf Club.

In high winds and persistent rain, the 2004 champion weathered the elements to register birdies at the second, eighth and 14th but a handful of bogeys around the turn put paid to her otherwise excellent effort.
 
Next best was Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) who birdied five, eight and twelve in her best of the day 76 to trail by one stroke. Three shots further back was defending Champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) who added an 83 to her opening 78 while Pauline Walsh (Headfort) added a 79 to her opening 82.
 
Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange) signed for her second 81 while Catherine Bird (Nenagh) fired an impressive 77 in which she overcame two sevens with birdies at eight and thirteen.
 
Overnight leader Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) slipped to an 88 but was happy with her efforts having completed the first round of the Hermitage Lady Captain’s Prize in between her two qualifying rounds. Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) improved by eight strokes in her 79 while Irish legend Mary McKenna (Donabate) matched her opening 83 to qualify comfortably.
 
The first round sees Hassett face a tricky assignment against Rhona Brennan (Bandon) while defending Champion Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) plays Patricia O’Reilly (Headfort). Another interesting tie sees Helen Jones (Strabane) play Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) while Mary McKenna (Donabate) faces an in form Catherine Bird (Nenagh).
 
IRISH SENIOR WOMEN’S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP – HOLLYSTOWN, 17-20 JUNE 2008
QUALIFYING SCORES
157 Valerie Hassett (Ennis)  79 78
158 Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford)  82 76
161 Pauline Walsh (Headfort)  82 79 Mary Madden (Ballinasloe)  78 83
162 Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange)  81 81
163 Catherine Bird (Nenagh)  86 77
165 Helen Jones (Strabane)  84 81 Eileen MacMullen (Donegal)  82 83 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage)  77 88
166 Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook)  87 79 Mary McKenna (Donabate)  83 83
170 Val Shannon (Douglas)  86 84 Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort)  85 85 Mary Mather (Cill Dara)  83 87
171 Violet McBride (Belvoir Park)  91 80 Rhona Brennan (Bandon)  83 88
 
NON-QUALIFIERS
171 Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel)  82 89
172 Madeline Brennan (Carlow)  90 82 Anna Moloney (Clonmel)  86 86 Noreen Granard (Portarlington)  85 87
173 Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine)  84 89 Laura Tolan (Co. Meath) 87 86
174 Roma English (Larne)  86 88 Kay McCartan (Greenore)  85 89
175 Mary Geaney (Killarney)  86 89
176 Nano Brennan (Elm Park)  95 81
177 Mai McCann (Narin & Portnoo)  93 84
179 Pamela Morgan (Lahinch)  89 90
180 Mary McGoey (Greenore)  91 89
181 Catherine Carty (Tullamore)  89 92
182 Mary McCabe (Headfort)  90 92
183 Marie McIntyre (Occoneechee)  92 91
184 Sighle Henigan (Ballybunion)  94 90 Trudy Brosnan (Kanturk)  93 91 Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush)  89 95
186 Dinah Campion (The Heath)  91 95
187 Rita McNamara (The Heath) 95 92
188 Anna Somers (Cill Dara)  91 97
189 Anne Heffernan (Hollystown) 91 98
192 Anne Stewart (Belvoir Park)  100 92 Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush)  92 100
193 Woody Collins (Hollystown)  100 93
194 Mary Kidney (Headfort)  97 97
203 Bridget O'Brien (Tipperary)  103 100
205 Marie McGrattan (Ardminnan)  104 101
206 Patsy Butler (Headfort)  103 103
207 Audrey Burke (Hollystown)  107 100
211 Joan Buckley (Ballybunion)  110 101
217 Anne Crotty (Tipperary)  112 105
 
MATCHPLAY DRAW:
09.00 (at 9 minute intervals): Valerie Hassett (Ennis) -v- Rhona Brennan (Bandon); Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) -v- Eileen MacMullen (Donegal); Sheena O'Brien Kenney (Grange) -v- Val Shannon (Douglas); Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort) -v- Mary Madden (Ballinasloe)
09:36 Pauline Walsh (Headfort) -v- Mary Mather (Cill Dara); Mary McKenna (Donabate) -v- Catherine Bird (Nenagh); Helen Jones (Strabane) -v- Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook); Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) -v- Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford)