Three bronze medals was the outcome of the National Matchplay Weekend for Kerry in Cork after the June Bank Holiday Weekend after Tralee father and daughter Tony and Charlotte Blake along with Deerpark’s David Harnett made it to the semi-finals of their respective grades.
Tony Blake made the semi-finals of the Intermediate Mens competition in Rocklodge as he looked in good form on Sunday afternoon in the quarter-finals defeating Tipperary’s Sean McCormack 10&8 but he lost out by 7&6 in the semi-finals to eventual runner-up Darren Temple of St Stephens in Glanmire. Tony’s daughter Charlotte reached the semi-finals of the Junior Ladies event in Ranges in Ballincollig as she missed out on the chance to hold both the Junior Ladies Strokeplay and Matchplay titles at the same time following a 5&4 semi-final defeat to eventual Theresa Venables of Lakewood in Cork.
Deerpark’s David Harnett came the closest to reaching a final as he came back from a deficit of six down with seven to play against eventual runner-up Aidan O’Rourke of Cunnigar in Dungarvan before losing out 3&2 in the finish. The County Board congratulates all three on their performances as there were some other noteworthy showings over the weekend itself. Listowel’s Chris Gibney had a great run to the quarter-finals of the Senior Mens event before losing out to the eventual winner John Walsh of Collins in Cork.
All the other three Kerry players in the Senior Mens event fell in Round 2 with former three-time winner Damien Fleming of Deerpark along with Tralee duo Jason Cregan and Gavin Carroll losing out in the Last 32. Listowel’s Ajay Barrett reached the Last 16 of the Intermediate competition only losing to eventual winner Ian Leech of St Annes in Cork on the last hole. Deerpark’s James Foley lost to eventual Junior winner Kieran Kenneally of Claycastle in Cork in the Junior Mens quarter-finals meaning four of the six winners at the event had to beat a Kerry player along the way. Deerpark’s Jean O’Shea was also a beaten quarter-finalist in the Junior Ladies event losing to eventual runner-up Angela Royer of Bishopstown.
Elsewhere the Bob Casey Memorial Inter-Club Strokeplay was due to begin in Castleisland on Tuesday night last as the event will be held in Deerpark (June 9th), Tralee (June 16th) and Listowel (June 23rd) in the coming weeks. We wish all those from the county heading to the Riverdale Scratch Cup this weekend the very best of luck as the event forms part of some of our Inter-County Teams trial process.
