Tandragee win AIG Jimmy Bruen and first green pennant at 19th
Jeff Forde (Tandragee) holes the winning putt on the 19th green for victory in the Jimmy Bruen Shield at the 2019 AIG Cups and Shields Finals at Westport Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman
Tandragee claimed the AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield and their first green pennant in dramatic fashion when they beat The Island on the 19th at Westport.
Cillian Hurley chipped in for an eagle two at the 19th to give him and his brother Conor a win over Johnny Quinn and Dean Acheson to level the scores at 2-2.
John Gartland and Conor McGleenon then won the 18th with a gutsy five to take Tandragee’s Jeff Forde and Aidan Place into extra holes.
But Place then hit a 74-yard 54-degree wedge to three feet behind the hole and after Gartland’s 30 footer finished two inches short, Forde nervelessly slotted home the winning putt.
“It was one of those ones,” Forde said of his winning putt. “I had a couple on the build up to the tournament and got a little bit of practice. Then I had a few lessons and it all paid off in the end.
“This means absolutely everything to the club. We have never won a green pennant before. Hopefully next weekend in Castle Dargan, our Juniors can go on and win the second one for us.”
Team captain Brian Fyffe said: “We are 100 years old next year and it was fitting that Jeff holed the winning putt. It was his third All Ireland final and I played with him in Royal Tara in 2013.
“I had to put the team in quickly last night and in the back of my mind I said I think I’ll put him out last. He’s a good friend and his heart is in Tandragee Golf Club in every way.”
AIG Jimmy Bruen Final will be decided in extra holes. The Island or Tandragee https://t.co/Q16ydkSmDx
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) September 21, 2019
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield Final
The Island 2 Tandragee 3
John Grant & Paul Cullen bt Benjamin Boyd & James McConville 3&2;
John W White & John Blake lost to Christopher Fearon & Adam Proctor 6&5;
Conor Hurley & Cillian Hurley bt Johnny Quinn & Dean Acheson 19th;
Cian McCormack & Rory Govan lost to John Haffey & Andrew Thompson 1 h;
John Gartland & Conor McGleenon lost to Jeff Forde & Aidan Place 19th.
