Kilkenny power into Barton Shield final
Eddie Power is hoping to keep the bragging rights at home after helping Kilkenny make the Bulmers All Ireland Barton Shield final at Tullamore.
The three-time Irish Close champion was one of the heroes of the day as Kilkenny beat Youghal by three holes to set up a showdown with Banbridge in the final.
But he’s under pressure to finish the job after a summer of golfing success for the Power family.
His wife Eileen-Rose, a former international, helped Kilkenny win the Suzuki All Ireland Ladies Senior Cup for the first time last month when she won her match at the first tie hole.
Not only that, Power’s nine-year old son Mark won his age group in the HSBC Wee Wonders Championship at the Home of Golf, St Andrews, just two weeks ago.
“I’m still trying to compete,” said 44-year old Power, who won the Barton Shield with Tramore in 1992 and 1994. “The only competitive golf I play now is club golf so it is wonderful to be involved in the Cups and Shields.”
Power might not be a championship force these days but he is still hugely competitive as he showed when he hit a wedge stone dead at the first with his foursomes partner Richie Walsh to set the ball rolling in a decisive eight hole win over Youghal's Tommy Kennefick and Stephen Prendergast.
With the top match five down, that margin proved good enough to give Kilkenny overall victory by three holes and set up a clash with Banbridge, who saw off Galway by two holes thanks to a seven-hole win by Rory Leonard and Ciaran McAleavey in the top match.
In the Junior Cup semi-finals, Frank Ford was the hero of the hour when he holed a testing four footer for a half on the 18th green to beat Fergal Walsh by one hole and give Oughterard a shock 3-2 win over Castle.
The Connacht champions will face Malone in today's final following the Ulster club’s 3.5 - 1.5 win over County Tipperary.
Bulmers Irish Cups and Shields, National Finals, Tullamore Golf Club
Barton Shield
Semi Finals:
Banbridge bt Galway 2 holes
(Banbridge names first)
Rory Leonard & Ciaran McAleavey bt Joe Lyons & Dave Scully 7 holes; Connor Doran & Alastair McCully lost to Eddie McCormack & Damien Glynn 5 holes
Kilkenny bt Youghal 3 holes
(Kilkenny names first)
Paul O'Hara & Graham Nugent lost to Willie Jones & Darren O'Sullivan 5 holes ; Eddie Power & Richie Walsh bt Tommy Kennefick & Stephen Prendergast 8 holes.
Junior Cup
Semi Finals:
Oughterard 3 Castle 2: (Oughterard names first) Frank Ford bt Fergal Walsh 1 hole; Aidan Grimes lost to Alex Gleeson 2/1; Cathair Conneely bt Scott Williams 4/3; Mairtin O'Cearra bt Harry Scott 3/2; Niall Faherty lost to Fergal Costelloe 6/5
Malone 3.5 Co. Tipperary 1.5: (Malone names first) Barry Brennan bt Michael McGrath 3/1; Dan McCrae bt Ronan Wade 7/5; Ben Brennan lost to Cormac Crowe 1 hole; Andy Montgomery bt Michael Moloney 3/2; Jan Gilbert halved with Michael O'Grady
Thursday 17th September
ORDER OF PLAY
Pierce Purcell Shield
Semi Finals
0800 Corrstown v Douglas
(Corrstown names first)
John Dowling & Tony Merrigan v Richard Lonergan & Kevin O'Sullivan; Nicky Hubbard & Jim Lowe v Michael Lucey & John Scannell; Jarlath Beagan & Gary Began vs Eddie Cogan & Frank Walsh; Gerry Finnerty & Fran Lawlor v Tony Barry & Paul Herlihy; Ciaran Conneely & Paul O'Kane v Frank Mackey & Philip O'Driscoll
0850 Letterkenny v Loughrea
(Letterkenny names first)
Brian O'Donnell & Tony McMonagle v Brendan Dunne & Paul Hynes; Pat McMonagle & Kieran Sweeney v John Greally & Gerry Fahy; John Russell & Kieran Walsh v Noel Maher & Lee McGahon; Ed Margey & Brendan Roache v Uinsinn Finn & Cathal Murray; Kenny King & Shane Sweeney v Tony Slevin & John Creavan
11.00 Junior Cup Final
Oughterard v Malone
(Oughterard names first)
Frank Ford v Bary Brennan; Aidan Grimes v Dan McCrea; Cathair Connely v Jamie Thompson; Martin O Ceara v Andy Montgomery; Niall Faherty v Jan Gilbert
12.00 Barton Shield Final
Banbridge v Kilkenny
Rory Leonard & Ciaran McAleavey v Paul O'Hara & Craig Martin; Connor Doran & Alastair McCully v Eddie Power & Richie Walsh