Quigg the matchwinner as Royal Portrush win 25th Senior Cup

Royal Portrush celebrate their 25th Senior Cup win at Grange. Picture by Pat Cashman

Naoimh Quigg clinched the decisive point as favourites Royal Portrush defeated 2009 champions Kilkenny to win their 25th Irish Senior Cup at Grange on Saturday.

Playing in the anchor match and with the sides level at 2-2, Quigg turned for home four up but saw Smee fight back to be just one down with four to play.

Naoimh Quigg clinches the winning point. Picture by Pat CashmanFifteen was halved in par put a penalty stroke on for Smee on the 16th saw saw Quigg regain the honour and a two-hole lead.

Undeterred, Smee held her nerve to win the 17th in par to take the tie to the last but Quigg finished with a conceded birdie to bring the Irish Senior Cup home to Royal Portrush for a record breaking twenty fifth time.

The match was a nail-biting affair with Kilkenny drawing first blood when current international Mary Dowling defeating the talented Charlene Reid on the 16th.

Lucy Simpson levelled matters with victory over stalwart Eileen Rose Power on the home green before Mary Leahy Browne then put Kilkenny back in front again with a 3 and 2 win over Victoria Bradshaw.

However, Irish Seniors Champion Helen Jones tied matters once again with a 3 and 2 win over Orla Dunphy before Quigg sealed victory for the Ulster club in the final match.

Irish Senior Cup Final – Grange Golf Club, Dublin, Saturday 18 August

Kilkenny 2 Royal Portrush 3

Mary Dowling bt Charlene Reid 3/2

Eileen Rose Power lost to Lucy Simpson 1up

Mary Leahy-Browne bt Victoria Bradshaw 3/2

Orla Dunphy lost to Helen Jones 3/2

Ann Smee lost to Naoimh Quigg 2up