Athenry and Rockmount were crowned AIG Junior Cup champions on a blistering hot day in Athlone Golf Club.
The golf was scintillating at times too and two thrilling finals ensued with Athenry claiming a 4-1 win over Abbeyleix, for the AIG Men’s Junior Cup shortly after Rockmount’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Powerscourt in the AIG Women’s Junior Cup decider.
“It’s a great day, great weekend, everything was perfect,” said Athenry captain Eamon Morrissey.
“This morning was tough, there were times when we thought Dundalk had us but these boys are tough. They never give up, we have done it all through the Connacht campaign.
“We are so proud of the lads, it’s unbelievable and also it’s our first Junior Cup All-Ireland so you can’t believe how much this means to Athenry Golf Club.
“This is my first year, I was asked by Mike Shivnan, our Captain, would I do it and because he is such a gentleman I had no problem in doing it for Mike. He is a great man, a great leader and you would do anything you can for him.
“Our sights were set for Connacht and we would see how we would go after that but we have put in a massive effort.
“Big ask for all of the panel that were involved but they never failed once.”
Athenry got past Massereene in their quarter-final on Friday and it set up a final four clash with Dundalk this morning.
Wins for Fergal Coyle, Nathan Mullins and Brendan Dunne sealed a 3.5 to 1.5 win for the Galway men, and a place in the final against Abbeyleix, who edged past Monkstown in the other semi-final.
The final looked to be heading in Athenry’s favour when Jamie Holland had a comprehensive 7&6 win, and Coyle followed that up with a 4&3 success. But Eoghan Fennelly battled hard to prolong the fourth match and it was left for Brendan Dunne to finally put the result beyond doubt.
Moments earlier, Rockmount got over the line in their enthralling clash with Powerscourt- they had defeated Malone and Fota Island respectively in the semi-finals.
It was Powerscourt who landed the first blow in the final when Margaret Worrall shot to 7&6 win but Jan Lindsay quickly replied with a 4&3 victory of her own.
Abbie Poole and Alexandria Poole both looked well-placed to add the finishing touches but Lynda Booth and Annie O’Neill battled against the odds. Eventually, both Poole sisters got their wins and with that, the green pennant for Rockmount.
“It sounds amazing, it feels incredible, it’s almost unbelievable,” said Rockmount Captain Carol Blyth.
“We really wouldn’t have dreamt that we would be able to do this, I am so proud of the team.
“We have such a small ladies’ section and such a small squad so to achieve this is incredible. I am so proud of the girls they have done such a great job.
“We had three really tough matches and they all could have gone either way, going down the 19th was nail-biting to say the least.
“It’s not good for the nerves because it keeps swinging back and forward but it’s great.”
View the final scoring here