County Louth bridged a 33year gap when they beat hot favourites Milltown in the final of the Eastern District Women's Senior golf Cup at Hermitage yesterday.

Former Curtis Cup players Clarrie Reddan and Philomena Garvey were members of the Baltray side when they last won the All-Ireland title in Mullingar in 1965.

However, yesterday the new generation showed all the experience of seasoned campaigners when they held off a late Milltown charge.

All looked lost for the All-Ireland champions, Milltown, when they trailed in four of the five matches after 10 holes. Irish champion Suzanne Fanagan was five down to Oonagh Purfield but staged a remarkable recovery to win on the 19th when she holed from 30 feet for a winning birdie after Elaine Dowdall had given Milltown a winning start with a 2 and 1 win over Jennifer Gannon in the top match.

Jackie Quinn steadied the Co Louth ship when she won on the 14th against Aileen Dawson. Patricia Nannery made it two wins when beating Mary Dowling 3 and 2.

So it was all left to Deirdre Smith in her match against Katherine McCann. All square playing the 17th, Smith took a one-hole advantage down 18 when McCann found the bunker with her second shot and a half in five at the last was enough to give Co Louth a place in the All-Ireland finals.

Smith was also the hero in the morning semi-finals when she won on the 21st in a tense struggle with the Grange. Three down after eight to Miriam Abernethy, Smith won three holes in-a-row to square the match on the 11th but was one down again after 16.

Smith made a winning par on 17th and after halves at 18 and the first tie hole, Co Louth went through when Abernethy found a bunker at the second.

Milltown had a comfortable win over Donabate in the other semi-final despite losing the top match where Pat Doran was six under par in beating Elaine Dowdall 6 and 5.