Memories of Christy O'Connor Junior's marvellous two iron to the 18th at the Belfry during the 1991 Ryder Cup were recalled at Craddockstown Golf Club recently during the semi-final of the Cullen Cup Mixed Foursomes between the host club and Abbeyleix. The Laois club, having won the first leg 5-0, had only to half one of the five matches to make it through to the final. However, the Naas club put up a great fightback and won the first four matches.

Standing all square while playing the demanding par-five finishing hole, Abbeyleix's Nancy Scully was left with a difficult third shot from 140 yards from the rough to a contoured green. She took out her trusty four iron and left it six feet from the hole. Up stepped her partner Tom Reilly to duly sink the putt for a birdie four and a victory for Abbeyleix by 6 and 4. They meet New Ross in the final on Sunday next.