Mary Leahy Browne used all her skill and matchplay experience to fight back from four down at the turn to beat Cork’s Paul Walsh 2 and 1 and give Kilkenny Irish Senior Cup glory.

Played in tough, wet and windy conditions at Greystones on Saturday, the ladies from the Marble City turned out to be tougher than granite as they beat Cork 3.5 to 1.5 in the All Ireland final.

The top match between Cork’s former Curtis Cup star Claire Coughlan Ryan and Kilkenny’s Mary Dowling was nip and tuck throughout with never more than a hole between the pair.  

Claire had the advantage early on but Mary returned a slender one hole lead after the 15th hole and maintained this advantage to the home green winning the match 1 up.

Cork’s Irish Girls international star Rachel Thompson had a close tussle against Orla Dunphy before Rachel secured a 2 and 1 win for Cork’s first point.

When Katie Aherne beat Cork’s Michelle Tobin 3 and 2, Kilkenny were within a point of overall victory and secured it with Leahy Browne’s dramatic comeback.

The final match between Cork’s Orla Murray and Kilkenny’s Jan Browne (Mary’s daughter) was called in once Kilkenny had that precious third point.

Cork 1.5 Kilkenny 3.5

1. Claire Coughlan Ryan lost to Mary Dowling 1up
2. Rachel Thompson beat Orla Dunphy 2&1
3. Paula Walsh lost to Mary Leahy Browne 2&1
4. Michelle Tobin lost to Katie Aherne 3&2
5. Orla Murray halved with Jan Browne (called in).