McGlynn and Power share Moran Cup spoils at Royal Dublin

Joint winners: Liam Power (left) and Niall McGlynn (right) with Royal Dublin captain, Brendan O’Malley

Michael “Dyke” Moran was one of Irish golf’s earliest superstars and the trophy founded to perpetuate the memory of his glittering career remains a big part of the PGA Southern Branch calendar.

Born at Curley’s Yard, which remains visible between the third and 13th holes at Royal Dublin, Moran won the Irish Professional championship five times running from 1909 to 1913, when he was third in The Open at Hoylake.

He was killed in action in World War I, dying of his wounds at the War Hospital of Le Cateau in France in April 1918, though his family did not learn of his death until December 14.

He was just 32, or a mere 12 months older than Niall McGlynn from the Golf Ireland Academy at Carton House, who carded a three-under 69 to win the Moran Cup for the second time since 2019 at Royal Dublin on Monday, sharing the spoils with Rathfarnham’s assistant professional Liam Power.

Once a matchplay tournament amongst professionals attached to Leinster clubs, it has been won by many of the greats of Irish professional golf with 12-time champion Bradshaw being its most prolific winner.

Moran Cup winners Liam Power (left) and Niall McGlynn (right)

“Five Ryder Cup players have won the Moran Cup so I am very proud to win it again,” said big-hitting McGlynn, who turned in level par as he birdied the second and sixth and bogeyed the first and ninth before coming home in three under par.

“I am long enough that even into the wind it is not as big a deal for me coming home as it can be for some of the other guys,” he explained after following a birdie two at the 12th with further birdies at the 14th and 16th.

“It’s a very good event and our last of the year. And while we play Pro-Ams most of the time bar the Irish Championship, it’s lovely to play with your fellow professionals at least once.”

McGlynn turned professional in 2014 and went from Old Conna to Elm Park before joining the staff at Golf Ireland’s Academy, where he is now a senior staff professional.

Galway native Power (23), an assistant at Rathfarnham Golf Club had finished in the top three in 2020 and 2021.

“I got off to a good start — two under through two,” beamed Power, who birdied the eighth but bogeyed the seventh and ninth to turn in one under, then came home in two under with birdies at the 11th​​​​​​​​​​​​, 13th and 16th before dropping a shot at the 17th.

“It’s my first win as a professional so I am thrilled with that,” Power said.

Moran Cup, Royal Dublin Golf Club (Par 72)

Unattached unless stated

69 Niall McGlynn (Golf Ireland Academy), Liam Power (Rathfarnham)

70 Ciaran Molloy (Golf4Kids)

72 Mark O’Mahony (Concept Golf), Shane Jenkinson (The Island), Tim Rice (Limerick), Leslie Walker (Dundalk)

73 Cian Geraghty ( Co Louth), Eoin O’Brien (Clontarf)

74 Colm Moriarty (Glasson Lakehouse), Fionntan Lawlor (Ardee), Ryan Gribben (Naas), Paul Behan (Black Bush), Lorcan Costello (McGuirk’s Golf Dublin 18)

75 Ethon McGrane (Carlow), John Dignam (Spawell Golf Academy), Daniel Curry (Macreddin), Shane Franklin, (Portumna), Richard Weldon (Black Bush), Michael Kennelly Glenlo Abbey), Mark Cribben (Palmerstown House Estate)

76 Cathal Barry (Balcarrick), Leo Hynes (Killiney), Jake O’Riordan (Muskerry), Brendan Walton (Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links)

77 Gerry Burke (Royal Curragh)

78 Conor Keown (Blainroe), Keith McDermott Hermitage), David Keenaghan Mount Temple), Andrew Hickey Galway)

79 Callum Slater, Peter Jones (Athy Driving Range), Craig Kelly Killeen), Mark Shanahan (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort), Evan McGrath (Ballykisteen Golf & CC)

80 Dylan Browning (Royal Dublin), Joe Murray (Roganstown Golf & CC)

81 Philip McLaughlin, Mark O’Boyle (The Heath), Kieran Lynch (Skibbereen & West Carbery)

82 Aodan Comerford (Balbriggan), Michael Gielty (Grange), Alexandra Murphy (Lisheen Springs), Owen O’Loughlin (Millicent), Sean Doyle (Athlone), Conor Muir (Bandon)

83 Jamie Leech Co Louth), Peter O’Hagan (Luttrellstown Castle)

84 Mary Doyle (Golf Ireland Academy), Barry Doyle (McGuirks Golf Dublin 18)

86 Stephen Rayfus (Knightsbrook Golf & CC)

89 Anthony Judd (Forrest Little)