Nenagh golfers followed a route somewhat similar to the Tipperary county hurlers when they progressed through the Munster section of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Muskerry golf Club.
Nenagh won the Munster title for the first time in the 105-year history of the club when they beat Cork representatives Douglas 3-2 in a thrilling final last Sunday - but the path to Munster glory had many twists and turns on the way.
The club's campaign began back in May when they beat Limerick County in the opening round at Roscrea and this was followed by victories over Shannon and Castletroy, which moved them on to the North Munster finals against Woodstock at Limerick Golf Club.
However, it was heartbreak at Limerick when they lost the deciding match on the 18th green to make their exit - as they thought.
Heartbreak turned to joy some days later as Woodstock had to withdraw from the competition when they discovered that one of their players had inadvertently played off a wrong handicap, and Nenagh were back in the game.
Then came turn number two - the Munster Branch of the GUI decided to re-run the North Munster section, but before it got under way for the second time, another club, Dromoland, withdrew for the same reason as Woodstock. So, back to the drawing board. The third attempt at sorting out the North Munster Section was fixed for Shannon on July 21st, and this time the issue between the remaining clubs, Charleville, Lahinch, Kilrush, Ennis and Nenagh, would be decided as a `winner take all' foursomes strokes over 18 holes. Nenagh produced the golf on the day, almost two months after making their exit from the competition, to qualify for the Munster final with an 11shot victory in the play-offs.
And so to Muskerry last Sunday, where Nenagh were pitted against All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Champions, Thurles, in the semifinal - and more excitment. All looked lost when Brendan Kennedy and Michael Scoope were dormie two down, but the pair came back to win on the 19th.
The same pair were involved again in the decider in the afternoon's final against Douglas, this time winning on the 18th to send Nenagh through to the All-Ireland semi-finals at Dundalk on September 18th to 20th.
Three members of the Nenagh side have seen it all before, however. Gerry P Ryan, Pat McGrath and Sean O'Donoghue were members of the winning Pierce Purcell Shield teams of 1988 and 1991.
Edmondstown will be hoping for another 5-4 victory when they take on The Island in the final of the Metropolitan Cup first leg at Edmondstown on Sunday.
Edmondstown have won all their matches in the competition so far by the odd match, with victories over Old Conna, Kilternan, Milltown, Stackstown and Bodenstown. This will be Edmondstown's first appearance in a GUI final in their 53-year history and hopes are high of a first pennant. However, the opposition are old hands in the Metro Cup having won in 1995. The second leg will be at the Island on August 31st.
Hollywood Lakes are already making plans for next year's Leinster Junior Cup. The North County Dublin club will host next year's event, and plans are well advanced for a new putting green. To offset the cost they are running an Open Team Event (four-person, any combination) on Sunday, September 7th. The cost is £100 per team and places on the time sheet are available at 01-8433406.
Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley will return to the Spawell Sports Complex next Monday when they take on members of the Irish Blind Golfers Society in a Par Three challenge. The event will start at 6 p.m., with the proceeds in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Admission is £5.
