All-Ireland Cups and Shields: Portmarnock and Limerick both booked their places in tomorrow's final of the Barton Shield on a glorious first day of the Bulmers sponsored All-Ireland Cups and Shields finals at Monkstown Golf Club in Co Cork.
Leinster champions Portmarnock were never behind at any point in the match against their Ulster opponents Belvoir Park but the scoreline doesn't give a true reflection of how close the match was.
In the end Portmarnock's James Fox and Aengus McCallister defeated Belvoir's Johnny McWilliams and Barry Cashman by two holes at the 18th. It was also nip and tuck in the second match before Michael Brett and veteran Niall Goulding also overcame Andrew Morris and Harry Diamond by two holes.
Portmarnock will play Limerick in tomorrow's final after they came through their semi-final by five holes against Athlone. Michael O'Kelly and Martin Poucher were always in the driving seat as they ran out comfortable four holes winners against Mark Rowe and Aidan Dooley in the top match.
The experienced pairing of Pat Murray and Ger Vaughan sealed the win with a narrow one hole win over Ciaran O'Connor and Kelan McDonagh.
In today's other action, Naas booked their place in the final of the Junior Cup with a 3.5-1.5 win over Ballycastle in the first semi-final. Ray Lynch (3 and 2), Gus Fitzpatrick (3 and 2) and David Prendergast (3 and 2) put the wins on the board for Naas.
Liam Quinn was Ballycastle's only winner, with his 3 and 2 victory over Dermot Keane in the second match. The last match between Conor O'Rourke and Hugh Sayers was halved.
Naas will meet Ballina in tomorrow's decider after their narrow 3-2 win over Adare Manor with Stephen Lydon proving the Connacht champion's hero of the hour. With the overall match poised at 2-2 the outcome came down to the third game, which Lydon won on the 18th against Brian Hickey.
Earlier John Hickey had put the first point on the board for Adare with his 3 and 2 win over Robert Dervin before Pat Howley levelled proceedings with a 6 and 5 thumping of David Carroll.
Martin Costello defeated Jonathan Kelly 5 and 3 in the fourth while Paul McLoughlin levelled once more with his 4 and 2 win over Damian Harrington in the final match.
GUI Irish Cups and Shields National Finals Monkstown Golf Club results
Wednesday, September 17th
Barton Shield semi-finals
Belvoir Park lost to Portmarnock (4 holes)
(Belvoir names first)
Johnny McWilliams/Barry Cashman lost to James Fox/Aengus McAllister 2 holes
Andrew Morris/Harry Diamond lost to Michael Brett/Niall Goulding 2 holes
Athlone lost to Limerick (5 holes)
(Athlone names first)
Mark Rowe/Aidan Dooley lost to Michael O'Kelly/Martin Poucher 4 holes
Ciaran O'Connor/Kelan McDonagh lost to Patrick Murray/Ger Vaughan 1 hole
Final
Portmarnock v Limerick
Junior Cup semi-finals
Naas 3.5-1.5 Ballycastle
(Naas names first)
Ray Lynch beat Tony McConville 2 and 1
Dermot Keane lost to Liam Quinn 3 and 2
Gus Fitzpatrick beat Donal McCormick 3 and 2
David Prendergast beat Colum Egan 3 and 2
Conor O'Rourke halved with Hugh Sayers
Adare Manor 2-3 Ballina
(Adare names first)
John Hickey beat Robert Dervin 3 and 2
David Carroll lost to Pat Howley 6 and 5
Brian Hickey lost to Stephen Lydon 1 hole
Martin Costello beat Jonathan Kelly 5 and 3
Damian Harrington lost to Paul McLoughlin 4 and 2
Final
Naas v Ballina
