Tramore’s Anna Dawson retained the Leinster Over-18 Women’s Championship after a thrilling finish at Millicent. 

Conditions were tough on a day when the Duggan Cup was also on offer in Kildare and having been crowned champion in Bunclody last year, Dawson knew what it would take to retain her title and battled the conditions well throughout her afternoon round.

She was one over for her front nine with three birdies the highlight of the opening half.

It was the back nine though where it looked like the win may slip from her grasp as her competitors rallied while a double bogey on 15 and a tee shot into the water on 18 threatened to derail the Tramore golfer. 

“All my playing partners, myself Clodagh (Coughlan) and Jess (Ross) we were all just to the left of the pin on 15, we tipped the ball, and it went like ten feet past the hole it was really hard,” Dawson said.

“Then the last unfortunately I pulled my drive left into the water, but I was lucky enough to get up and down and got a par out of it.”

That par from ten feet was enough to seal the win for Dawson, who signed for a two-over 74 and a two-shot victory over decorated former Irish international Maria Dunne from Skerries.

“It feels amazing, it’s great to get the trophy back home,” said Dawson. 

“It was very windy out there, there was a few holes where you would normally hit a pitching wedge but today you were going to an eight iron and there was a strong wind off the left coming in on a few of those holes as well.

“Luckily, I was able to manage the wind and fought it and got it back.”

Bearna’s Caoimhe Slemon claimed the Duggan Cup, carding an even par nett round, scoring 36 points to secure a two-point victory over Mountrath’s Carol Doheny. 

“Great coming up here I didn’t think we would pull it out of the bag, but it paid off and I’m so glad it did,” said Slemon. 

“I’m not going to lie it was tricky enough out there but just delighted now”. 

Slemon got her round off to the perfect start, a birdie on the par five first gave her four points and set the tone for a great round of golf to come. 

“I got a nice 20-something foot putt to start me off and got the round going my way, so delighted.”

Above: Anna Dawson retained the Leinster O-18 Women's Championship. Photo: Fran Caffrey / Golffile.

 Below: Caoimhe Slemon won the Duggan Cup. Photo: Fran Caffrey / Golffile.