Leinster success for Wally

WALLY Sheridan, one of the newest members of Bellewstown Pitch and Putt club, made an immediate impact when he captured the Leinster Senior Strokeplay Championship at Bellewstown on Sunday. Sheridan is the first member of the club to win the single Leinster trophy for the club and there was plenty of celebrations afterwards to mark the achievement. The Senior Strokeplay Championship started at midday when the weather was still very bad in Bellewstown, although this did not deter the players or the spectators who came from far and near. There was a large contingent from Offaly, who were also very interested in what was going on in Baltray and particularly how Shane Lowry was faring in his joust with some of the world"s top professional golfers. They also wore a path from the course to the television trying to keep in touch with what was going on in both events. Lowry is a former Erry pitch and putt player. Sheridan was leading after two rounds on 97 and following in his path was Derek Courtney (Glenville) 98, Dave Hayden (Lucan) 98, Stephen Murray (Old County) 99, Brian McGinn (Seapoint) 100, Darren Keogh (Ryston) 100, Gerard Fitzpatrick (CPM) 101, Anthony Malone (Lucan) 102, Fred McMahon (Lucan) 102, Kieron Morrissey (St. Patrick"s) 103, Ian Donnelly (Cement) 103, Paul Nolan (Erin"s Isle) 104. These players went out for the final 18 holes. The home crowd were delighted when Sheridan came in as the winner with an overall 147, 15 under par. The runner-up was Murray with 148 and in third place was Hayden who shot 150. Those who were taking part in the gents Leinster Junior Strokeplay Championships started at Bellewstown shortly after 9.0 in heavy rain. The competition was won by Mark Donnelly (Cement). He was closely followed by Jonathan Freeman (St Patrick"s) who shot 116 with Ted Tighe (Gaeil Colmcille), also on 116, in third. The Intermediate gents set off at 10.0 and the title was claimed by Keith Maher (Lucan) who shot 102 with Alan Cooper (McBride) second on 103 and Conor Murphy (St Patrick"s) third on 104. The weather was somewhat kinder at Ringcommons for the ladies Leinster Championships. The rain decreased, but there was still plenty of challenges for the competitors as the wind increased. The Ladies Leinster Strokeplay Junior competition was won by Siobhan McDonnell (Lucan) with a score of 119 (61, 58). The runner-up was Laura Whelan (Old County) on 125 (61, 64) while in third place Catherine Fox (Glenville) racked up a score of 126 (62, 64). The Intermediate Championship was won by Kathleen Croke (Lucan) 115 (56, 59) while Bellewstown"s Marita Hurst put in a fine display to finish in third place along with Berne Dunne (St Brigid"s). In the senior championships there was impressive scoring despite the blustery crosswinds. The final qualifiers for last 18 were: Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock) 100; Chrissie Byrne (St. Brigid"s) 102; Tracey McGrath (Erry) 104; Martina Loakman (Glenville) 107; Liz Quinn (Collinstown) 110; Catherine McCreevy 110; Kathleen Gerathy (Skryne) 110, Mary Donnelly (Ryston) 111, Kay Heary (Navan) 112, Ann Hall (Royal Meath) 112. The winner was Byrne (151) while Ward (153) was second with McGrath (154) in third place.