Mc Donnell Cup Preliminary Round vs Donabate

SOLID SUTTON ROLL ON IN  SOGGY CONDITIONS

What a  misnomer Good Friday was, as regards Golfing Conditions, Cold, Wet, Windy and Miserable Weather and both courses had their fair share of surface water . What a way to start the 2025 campaign, aiming for a hat trick of finals. In the McDonnell Cup.  Three matches were in Donabate with two in Sutton. Pace of Play was quite slow, but not surprising considering the conditions.  The resilience and tenacity of the Sutton team began to show around the turn with all five matches ahead at half way.

The first match in Donabate featured Mark Banahan and his “much younger” teammate James Nolan making his first interclub appearance for SGC. The big hitting pair wore their opponents down and were the first match to finish, winning 3UP on 16. They looked like a seasoned pairing despite the fact this was their first time playing together. Paul Leech and Dan O’Grady were in the 2nd Match away and swapped a few early holes with their opponents, before taking control by winning holes 6,7 and 8. They played steady golf from there on in and comfortably won 5UP on Hole 15. Dan was in his element in this match, he felt that he was on the High Seas again, given the amount of water on the ground and falling from the sky. Paul was the steady First Mate on this vessel.

Shortly afterwards the pairing of David Jones and John P (Johnny) Lappin brought in a convincing 6UP on 13 result in Match 2 in Sutton.  This gave us an unassailable lead and guaranteed passage to the next round vs Skerries. Once, David and Johnny took control in this match, the result was never in doubt and the victory was gratefully cheered by all.  Johnny was also making his debut for SGC. The first match in Sutton featuring Sé O’Leary and Bryan Gaffney was 4 UP after 13 and was inside the last furlong heading for victory when called in. A solid performance from these two “Veterans”, although Brian was also making his SGC Mc Donnell debut. (he previously had one outing in Fingal Seniors Golf, on a similar day, maybe there is a link between Bryan and the weather!).  Their experience and local knowledge was invaluable in this match.

Finally Match 3 in Donabate were on the 13th Tee when called in. Justin Ray and Brian Nevin were 2UP at that stage, having held the lead since Hole 7. This pair had worn their opposition down with some big hitting and were well on the road to winning the 5th match for Sutton.

A fantastic result for this team, despite losing 4 key members of last year’s successful team and some others being unavailable for this match. It was fantastic to be able to “blood” three players onto a SGC McDonnell team, Well done, James, Bryan and Johnny. Thanks to the three substitutes who were on standby for us, waiting in the wings if anything went wrong in the “Warmups”- Tim Savage, Tom Hennebry and Michael Simpson. 

Finally I must acknowledge the brave weather beaten supporters who followed the matches in Sutton and were vocal in keeping the team going.  Thanks also to Tom O’Gorman, Derek Dunne and Noel O’Halloran for looking after the administration duties in Sutton on the day, as well as supporting the home players

Jig Saw Pools on the 7th Hole in Sutton

Duck Heaven on the 4th Fairway Sutton

David Jones apparently threatening Johnny Lappin with a sharp object 😂