Gowran Park and Ballinasloe make history

Aisling Costello is hugged by her playing partner Helena McCormack after she sunk the winning putt for Gowran Park. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile.

Gowran Park Assistant Manager, Keelin Walsh, said in a year of firsts for the club they are thrilled to take home All-Ireland silverware with the Revive Active Women’s Fourball.

Their thrilling victory over Gort denied the Galway clubs a potential double on the day, as Ballinasloe picked up the Flogas Mixed Foursomes crown.

Aisling Costello rolled in the winning putt for Gowran Park, as she and Helena McCormack sealed the most dramatic of 1up wins, on the 18th green in Knightsbrook.

They are the first Kilkenny team to take this prize and their 3-2 success today is a huge boost with some of the team also having their sights set on an All-Ireland intermediate title next weekend in Westport, while their men’s team go in search of a Jimmy Bruen.

“It’s been a great year for Gowran Park, we’re a small club, it’s 22 years old and it’s a fabulous course and we’re just thrilled with the support that we have had here,” said Walsh.

“All of our supporters for the last couple of months have been coming to all of our games and they really just pushed us on.

Gowran Park rejoice following their victory in the Revive Active Women's Fourball. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile

“We really tried our hardest out there today and we are absolutely thrilled with the win. It means so much for the club. This is actually our first All-Ireland as a club. It was the first time to win the Leinster Central final as well. It’s a first for the club all round. 

“It was so tight all day, the ladies from Gort just played so well. They had us to the pin of our collar the whole way around. It was ebbing and flowing, it was up and down and that’s the way it should be for an All-Ireland final, this is the pinnacle.

“But coming down 17 I didn’t know what was going to happen but I know our girls were going to do the best they could. And the last putt on the last hole it was ours.”

Ballinasloe celebrate their win in the Flogas Mixed Foursomes. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile

Ballinasloe ended a 129-year wait for senior inter-club glory as they defeated Malahide in the final of the Flogas Mixed Foursomes earlier.

The East Galway club had their Captains Day on Saturday and there was still a massive turnout to cheer on their team in the rain.

The pairing of Ciaran Smyth and Enda Jennings secured the winning point, 3&1, on the 17th green for a 3-2 win and their place in the history books.

Aidan Grenham and Lena Donohue also won 3&2 with Mark Conneely and Mary Goode 6&4 victors. Ballinasloe won the first three matches and it was enough to hold off the brave challenge of Malahide.

“I’m chuffed, thrilled for all our team, all our club,” said Ballinasloe Team Captain John Hurley.

“There must be no one left in Ballinasloe today, the support that came up here to Knightsbrook was immense. And the shouts and roars around about the golf course, I’ll take with me for a long long time.

“I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the panel.”

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