Douglas will play in the AIG Women’s Senior Cup final for the first time since their heartbreaking defeat to Lahinch in 2022 when they face holders Royal Portrush.
Jemma Barry produced an amazing comeback to seal the Cork outfit’s victory on a fantastic day of AIG All-Ireland Finals action in Carlow Golf Club.
Douglas defeated fellow Munster qualifiers Tralee 4&1 in the third quarter final match of the morning session, Shannon Burke (5&3), Clodagh Coughlan (4&3) and Jemma Barry (3&2) picking up wins while Karen O’Neill and Aoife Ní Thuama secured a half from their games.
And they stuck with their five for the semi-final tie against Elm Park, keeping the momentum going from their earlier success with Burke taking the first point in a 7&6 victory. Rachael McDonnell restored parity with a similarly impressive performance winning 6&5 before Kate Fleming added a second point for Elm Park with a 4&3 win.
The final two matches proved to be much tighter affairs as Ní Thuama and Alice Spani Molella pushed one another all the way to the 19th hole in Match 5 before Ní Thuama came out on top to level the tie once more.
Match 4 would see an epic battle between Barry and Louise Mernagh as the light faded on Wednesday evening. The Douglas golfer producing an incredible comeback, going from 3 down thru 15 to claiming the winning point for her side with a playoff victory on the 20th hole.
Royal Portrush are one step away from defending their AIG Women’s Senior Cup title as they put together two dominant performances on the opening day.
Royal Portrush were first out in the quarter-final ties on Wednesday morning, Hannah Lee McNamara (3&2) and Lucy Simpson (6&4) quickly establishing a two-point lead over County Sligo, before Kayleigh Mulholland secured a half against Jessica Reynolds. The tie was decided in Match 4 when Judithe Allen secured the third point with a 6&4 victory over Molly Sproule.
Royal Portrush changed tactics for their semi-final match against The Island with Gemma McMeekin and Laura Webb coming in for Lucy Simpson and Naoimh Quigg and the changes quicky paid dividends, McMeekin, Allen, Mulholland and Webb all up in their matches thru six.
The strong performance continued through the back nine with the three points secured in the first three matches with Allen (7&5), McNamara (5&4) and McMeekin (4&3) all getting the job done early.
In the AIG Men’s Senior Cup Galgorm Castle, Castleknock, Castletroy and Rosslare booked their spots in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Galgorm Castle were the first to secure their place with a 3&2 victory over Roscommon. The Ulster North qualifiers were behind by one heading into the latter stages of the tie before Jordan Hood’s 5&3 win over Alan Connaughton in Match 4 drew the sides level. Match 5 would be the decider with Patrick Dallat defeating Fionn Hoare 3&2 to seal the team win.
Castleknock will face Galgorm Castle in the opening semi-final tie. The Dublin side defeated Tandragee 3.5 to 1.5 with Paul Coughlan (2&1), Quentin Carew (7&6) and Ian O’Connell (1up) taking the all-important victories.
Castletroy too secured a 3.5 to 1.5 win over Cork. Dean McMahon (1up) and Andrew McCormack (3&1) taking the opening two matches before Patrick Bermingham sealed the deal with a 5&3 win over Paddy Quill.
The final match between Rosslare and Greystones saw yet another 3.5 to 1.5 victory. Gary Collins taking the opening point for Rosslare in a playoff before Dylan Holmes answered back for Greystones with a 5&4 victory over Mark Mullen. Mark Shanahan though restored the lead for Rosslare with a 2up win over David Byrne and Ian Lynch put the Rosslare team into the semi-final with a 1up victory over William O’Riordan.
Thursday’s play will see the conclusion of both the AIG Women’s and Men’s Senior Cup tournaments with the Men’s semis taking to the course from 7.30am before Match 1 of the Women’s final tees up at 12.00pm.
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