Waterford end long wait with AIG Jimmy Bruen triumph
Waterford Golf Club — AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield winners 2014. Picture by Pat Cashman
Waterford ended a long wait for success as they secured their first ever All-Ireland title in the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield at Carton House on Saturday.
The Leinster champions – their course is in Kilkenny although they are fervent Waterford men – saw off Cork's Lisselan in the final to win their first green pennant.
“It’s a marvellous victory, we’ve been trying for a long time. We got close on a number of occasions, but this is fabulous,” said club captain Michael Dollard, who also hailed Tramore's success in the AIG Senior Cup.
Gary Murphy and Pat Murphy (Waterford) line up their putt on the 16th green in the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield final at Carton House today (20/09/2014). Picture by Pat Cashman
“It’s the county border that causes the problems. We are actually in Leinster even though the course is Waterford but that doesn’t take from the victory, it’s still a Waterford club. It’s been a great day for the south-east, and congratulations to them (Tramore).
"They’ve been terrific, a great senior team for many years but for us to win the Jimmy Bruen today we have a lot of people here for a long time trying to do it.”
Golffile.ie photo gallery of the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield final
The winning point came courtesy of Val Carey and Richard Gaule, who made par on 17 to secure a 2&1 win in the decisive fourth game. Gary Dunphy and Pat Murphy took the opening game for the champions while Lisselan had got on the board early with a 5&3 win for Eoin Ryan and Cathal Kirby.
Val Carey and Richard Gaule (Waterford) with caddies line up their putt on the 15th green in the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield final at Carton House today (20/09/2014). Picture by Pat Cashman
The back match was another comfortable affair for the champions as Barry Griffin and Chris Hoban wrapped it up on 16 and that left Waterford with two chances to win.
As Paul Mackey and John Hale headed up 18 with a one-hole lead, Gaule and Carey came down 17 needing a half to win their match and when Carey holed a five-footer for par, the title was in the bag.
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Final, Carton House, O'Meara Course
Waterford 3.5, Lisslean 1.5 (Waterford names first)
- Gary Dunphy & Pat Murphy bt Leo Hassett v Andrew Whelton 2/1;
- Paul Mackey & John Hale halved with Paul Corcoran & Richard Fitton;
- John Phelan & Michael Wall lost to Eoin Ryan & Cathal Kirby 5/3;
- Richard Gaule & Val Carey bt Raymond Hayes & Paschal Hayes 2/1;
- Barry Griffin & Chris Hoban bt Donnchadh Crowley & Richard Fleming 4/2