Pitch And Putt

Munster Matchplay Championship, Collins
Men
Semi-finals: F Dineen (St. Anne’s) bt P O’Brien (Lakeside Templemore) 4 and 3; D Fleming (Deerpark Killarney) bt F O’Donoghue (Templebreedy) 5 and 4.

Final: Dineen bt Fleming 9 and 8.

Women
Semi-finals: S Scannell (Collins) bt A Daly (ESB) 1 up; M Webster (Larkspur Park Cashel) bt L Murphy (Collins) 4 and 3;

Final: Scannell bt Webster 10 and 9.

The Munster Matchplay took place at Collins last Saturday in dry but blustery conditions. The course was in excellent condition and a feast of pitch and putt was hoped for. Alan Kelly ESB caused the first of the shocks to many when he beat the inform John O Meara of Riverdale. Celly Ryan of Larkspur Park had the comeback of the round when beating Davy Morrissey of Lakeside on the 39th after being 3 down with 4 to play. Frank Dineen ( St Annes ) showed his intentions early when he easily disposed of Mark O'Brien (Larkspur Park). John Walsh also advanced easily to the 2nd round when he saw of Noel Joyce of Hillview. Young Darren Goodall of Tralee had a great battle with Liam O'Donovan of Bruff but experience proved vital here with Liam coming through 3&2. Paul O'Brien of Lakeside had a good encounter with local man John Garrett but Paul closed out the match to win 5&4. Admittedly the biggest upset of the first round was the departure of Paudi O'Sullivan of Majestic. Playing young gun Kieran Earls of Parteen he put Paudi to the sword in what was a highly entertaining match. Jason O'Regan hit the ground running against Mick Walsh of Parteen winning 6&5. The battle of brothers Tom and James O'Donovan was always going to be tight. Tom sank a good 5 footer on the last to win 1up. Darren Collins of St Annes and James Cleary of Hillview had another titanic battle. Both players are currently having poor seasons but they had a great battle with Darren eventually winning 2&1. Damien Fleming again got out of the blocks early to record a 7&6 win against Jimmy O'Neill of Larkspur Park. The match of the round was undoubtedly John O'Sullivan Majestic v Declan Sheedy of Clare Road. John eventually winnin on 40th.Young Shane Hoare of Larkspur Park once again met Frank O'Donoghue and the result was the same as Glenville with Frank prevailing. Tom Hanley of Bruff was unable to play against GOD (Ray Murphy) due to a hand injury so the master advanced. Jonathan Goodall had massive game against clubmate JP Fleeton where Jonathan came out the better 1up. Local favourite Eoin Shannon fell at the first hurdle when John O'Sullivan of St Annes beat him 3&2.

The second round saw some fantastic games as some top class players were pitted against one another. Celly Ryan was unable to continue his heroics of the first round and Alan Kelly easily disposed of his opponent to reach the quarter finals. John Walsh and Frank Dineen had some battle. Walsh birdied the first 10 of the second round but 2 bogeys in a row at 11 & 12 allowed Frank back into the game. People have questioned Dineens mental toughness in recent years but he answered them with aplomb! Birdies at 13,14,15,16 & 18 (a great putt) ensured he got sudden death against his illustrious opponent. Dineen pitched just left of the first and duly sank the putt to dispose of Fav John Walsh in what a match of the highest possible standard. Paul O'Brien and Liam O'Donovan also had a titanic battle in which Paul prevailed 6&4. Kieran Earls couldn't continue his play that saw off Paudi against Jason O'Regan. Tom O'Donovan was 18 under for his match against Darren Collins and duly won 4&3. Damien Fleming got a lead early against John O'Sullivan and never let him back into the game. Frank O'Donoghue chipped in 11 times in 33 holes against the Master Murphy and for the first time in 3 years Murf was beaten a Matchplay Major.. Murphy birdied 12,13,14 & 15 in the second round but Frank O'Donoghue chipped in the 4 of them also. I kid you not! Jonathan Goodall caused a surprise when he beat John O'Sullivan 1 up.
So the quarter finals set up some great games and the supporters were not left disappointed.

Dineen got off to a flyer against Alan Kelly. Alan found himself 6 down with 7 to go and to his credit birdied 4 in row to take the game down 17 where he agonisingly missed a birdie putt and so Frank had made his first Munster Matchplay Semi. Paul O'Brien was in flying form against Jason O'Regan. Jason managed to get 7 of the 8 in the second round but only one hole. Paul closed out the game 4&3. Damien Fleming also was playing class stuff when he met Tom O'Donovan. Both players were getting birdies all over the place but Damien pitched to inches of 17 to win the game 2&1. The reigning Munster Stroke Champion Frank O'Donoghue had too much for Jonathan Goodall when he won 5&4.

The Semi Finals were of the highest standard. Dineen flew out of the blocks against O'Brien. He was 3up through 9 but O'Brien in fairness settled the ship when he birdied 6 of the last nine but still remained 3 down turning. Dineen birdied the first 4 of the second round to go 5 up but O'Brien birdied 4 of the next 5 to get it back to 3. It remained 3 for the next couple of holes and until Frank won the 11 to go to 4 up with only 7 to go. O'Brien birdied 13 and 14 but so did the smiley Frankie... Paul failed with his chip on the 15th and so did his chances of retaining his title. Dineen was 18 under for his 33 holes.

The second match was fantastic for fanatics of the game. It was tight throughout with Fleming 2 up through 9. Damien then decided enough was enough and went crazy. He birdied the next 10 but Frank isn't one to lie down and managed to get 9 of the next 13 to remain in touch... Damien though is knocking on the door for a while and finally it opened. His pitches to 11,12,13 & 14 were more about intent than quality and Frank could do nothing but sit back and admire his opponent. Frank battled bravely but Damien who was -13 for his first round and was -7 for the next 14 holes was in unstoppable form and he closed out the match 5&4.

The final began at 12.30 in ideal conditions. Fleming won the first but this was to be the last hole he would win for some time. Frank birdied 2 and 3 to go one up. Damien missed a bad putt on 4 and 7 and Frank seized the initative immediately. He birdied 10,11,13,14,15 to build up a lead that he just couldn't lose from. Nothing was happening for Damien and the more he tried the more it agonised for him. He got the first 4 of the second round but only one hole. Frank was Commander in Chief at this stage and eventually closed out the match when he birdied the 10th from 4 feet to record his first Major Win. Frank a likeable character who has had plenty of setbacks throughout his career was a very popular champion. He has finally stood up to the plate when he needed it most and now his confidence will soar ahead of Tullamore. It was great to see him winning and who knows what lies next. For Damien it is now what might have been. No doubt he will be disappointed with his final showing but the P&P he played up to that was simply breathtaking. He is one of the most under rated players in the country who now know exactly who he is and what he can do. No doubt he will be back and he will actually benefit from this competition greatly.

All in all the whole weekend was great. It was so nice to compete in the Munster Matchplay once again as it is great to be able to compete for Provincial titles. We all hope we are playing them over the coming years as it was sorely missed. Collins had their course in excellent condition and their grounds staff have to be complimented for the way they presented the course. The ladies who looked after all the players and Officers over the weekend were magnificent and also we cant forget Junior Ryan NEC and Co Board officals who ran the competition so successfully.

Did you write this yourself tipperman for the website(PPUI) or did you just copy and paste? Just wondering because whoever wrote it did a fantastic job! With writing like this I dont see how we cant begin to utilise the major newspapers in this country! Great read!! Its just a pity that most people wont get a chance to read this either here or on the actual PPUI website!