Co Sligo retain Shield and now aim for double

THE DROUGHT is well and truly over. There was a time when Co Sligo Golf Club seemed cursed in their endeavours to get their hands on any of the silverware at the annual Bulmers sponsored All Ireland Cups and Shields finals, but now, it seems, the men from Rosses Point won't let go of anything in their possession.

Co Sligo demonstrated the point when retaining the Barton Shield at Tramore yesterday with a convincing six holes winning margin in the final over Ulster champions Knock. Admittedly, things had been a good deal tougher in the semi final where some tie hole exploits were required to dispose of Cork, yet, despite a stiff south easterly wind, it was all a good deal more comfortable in the decider as they claimed their second national senior pennant.

Indeed, Co Sligo ensured back to back victories in the unique foursomes matchplay format without having to go the distance. David Dunne and Kevin Flanagan were walking down the 17th fairway - five up on opponents Michael Sinclair and Ricky Whitford and clubmates Ken Kearney and Seryth Heavey were standing in the middle of the 16th fairway, one up on Chris Pinkerton and Justin Parsons, when it became mathematically impossible for the Ulsterman to overhaul them.

Now, the westerners go in search of more success when they seek to become the first Connacht club to win the Irish Senior Cup. Co Sligo face Scrabo in the semifinal today (with Royal Dublin meeting Limerick in the other match) and will attempt to emulate the host club Tramore's feat in 1992 when they claimed both premier titles, the Barton Shield and the Senior Cup, in the one year.

The Sligomen were always in control of their match with Knock. Dunne, who has had special soles made to assist him in his battle with an arthritic foot, and Flanagan were three up at the turn on Sinclair and Whitford stretched their advantage to five holes when claiming the 11th with a winning par and then Dunne played an eight iron approach in to eight feet at the 13th and Flanagan obliged by sinking the putt to put them five up.

Although Sligo lost the 15th to a par after missing the green left, Knock were in trouble in the trees off the tee at the 16th and Dunne and Flanagan effectively sealed the match.

The O'Connor golfing dynasty lives on, too. Nigel and Darren, sons of Christy Jnr, played important roles for Galway Bay in their quest for a first national title when inspiring the club to a 4-1 win over Monkstown in the Irish Junior Cup semi final to set up a showdown today with Stackstown.

Seventeen year old Nigel was a convincing 4 and 2 winner over Jonathon O'Flynn, while Darren (16) was also a 4 and 2 victor over Andrew Fitzgerald. Garry Guinnane beat Myles Barry by 6 and 4, with Richard Joyce and Derek O'Kelly both halving their matches.

The final encounter with Stackstown, the club where European Tour star Padraig Harrington learned his trade, promises to be intriguing.

Shannon's cause appeared hopeless at one stage in their Pierce Purcell Shield semi final against Tuam but they dug deep into their reserves to fashion an unlikely 3-2 win, two of the victories coming at the 20th hole.

In the bottom match, Shannon's hopes appeared to have floundered when Chris Harrigan's drive at the first tie hole went into a drain. But partner Joe McGrath played a Ballesteros like sand wedge in to six feet and Harrigan displayed nerves of iron to hole the putt and, then, finish off Tuam at the second sudden death hole. Shannon meet Dublin club Beech Park, who were impressive 4-1 winners over Warrenpoint, in the final.