LAST WEEKEND saw the National Inter-County Championships take place at the Portmarnock pitch and putt course in Dublin. On Saturday the Ladies teams took to the course with Dublin winning the title by just six shots from Kildare. On Sunday it was time for the Gents to represent their respective counties in strong winds and difficult weather conditions. On the Cork team were two Youghal players from the six in total, Paudie O’ Sullivan and Club Secretary Anthony O’ Loughlin who is also National Strokeplay Champion of 2011 and who was captain of the county team last weekend in Dublin. Included on the Cork team were Ireland’s number one and two ranked players respectively John Walsh and Ray Murphy. Paudie and Anthony represented their county with pride and didn’t disappoint in front of large crowds who were in attendance.

The two Claycastle players were paired together in the foursomes and sent Cork on their way and gave them the advantage shooting an impressive 45(9 under par). It was then down to the singles where once again the Cork lads never gave up and performed fantastically. Paudie carded a 51 while Anthony posted the score of the day 46(8 under par) and doing so sent Cork on to win the National Inter-County Championships 2011 with a total score of 391(41 under par) thirteen shots clear of second placed Meath on 404. Wexford finished in third place eight shots further back on 412. The Cork team who have now won nine Inter County titles in succession and are a major force in the sport of pitch and putt and hopefully they can make it 10 title in a row next year.

Congratulations to Captain Anthony O’ Loughlin and Paudie O’ Sullivan on great performances and who were a fantastic addition to the County team. 2011 has been the first year since 1999 that Claycastle has had a player represent the County team. In fact this year has been the first year that there have been two Claycastle players on the 6 man team. It has been a tremendous and historic year for our Club with Anthony O’ Loughlin winning the All-Ireland Championships just over a month ago and to have more success so soon is fantastic. It is a year that will not be forgotten for a very long time. For this achievement to occur in the Club’s 25th year makes it that small bit more special.

Other Claycastle Pitch & Putt News

After the success of the Captain’s prize a few weeks ago, the Club’s next major competition is set to take place. The most prestigious of them all, the Noel O’Driscoll memorial prize will begin on Wednesday 21st of September at 2:30pm and will continue on Friday 23rd at 2:30pm. On Saturday 24th play will also begin at 2:30pm while on Sunday 25th September there will be two sessions, the first at 10:30am and the final session of the tournament will get underway at 2:30pm sharp. We hope to see a large turnout and keep the fantastic attendances high as we have seen over the last few officers prizes.
The final major competition of the year will be the Chairperson’s Prize, sponsored by Martin Keohane our current Chairman, and play will begin on Wednesday 28th of September at 2:30pm. There will be an afternoon session on Friday 30th at 2:30pm and play continues on Saturday 1st October at 2:30. While on Sunday 2nd once again there will be two sessions, the first which will get under way at 10:30am and the second at 2:30pm.

On Sunday next the 18th September an adult/juvenile competition will take place where the juvenile players will be teamed up with the adult members. Play will begin at 2:30pm sharp. We hope to see a big turnout.
The Club’s A.G.M. will take place on Wednesday 5th October at the Walter Raleigh hotel at 8pm. All members of the club are more than welcome to attend on the night.
Juvenile competitions will continue throughout the Autumn and Winter months every Saturday morning at 10:30am. All new juvenile members are welcome to partake. For those wishing to avail of free coaching instead of the competition, that will take place at the same time.
We are proud to announce that Claycastle has won the right to host the 2012 National Matchplay Championships here in Youghal. This is a major tournament and we are privileged to host such an event. it will be the largest tournament hosted by Claycastle in the history of the club since 1986. This major championship will take place over the June weekend next year where there will be a total of 96 players taking part, 64 gents and 32 ladies.

James Howes
P.R.O.

Youghal Utd Report Girls U-14s Soccer

Youghal Utd  6   -   Avondale Utd  2

Youghal Utd moved to second place in the table after this comprehensive victory at Ardrath Park. This was the first time this season that Youghal could draw from a full squad of players and it showed in a dominant display. Youghal spurned a number of opportunities early on in the game before finally breaching the tough Avondale rearguard marshaled by the excellent Aisling Fitzgerald. From Holly Twomey’s short corner Rachel Galvin returned the ball first time to the striker whose excellent cross found Rachel Geary unmarked inside the area. Rachel controlled superbly before slotting the ball home into the net. For almost the entire half, Youghal pressed for a second. Holly Twomey continued to torment Avondale down the right assisted by the outstanding Claire Keniry with Amy Benaim, Rachel Geary and Rachel Galvin all having chances to extend the lead. Avondale’s resilience was rewarded shortly before the break when a fortunate rebound off the referee fell to Avondale forward Jane ? who finished superbly.

Despite the 1-1 scoreline, Youghal had a superb first half playing their best football of the season. That form continued early after the break when Holly Twomey cut in from the right, beating two defenders and a great pass found Amy Benaim. Amy’s first-time attempt got caught under her feet and when the ball squirmed loose Rachel Geary again pounced to make it 2-1 wit a looping effort. Rachel Galvin then made it 3-1 again from a Holly Twomey assist. However, plucky Avondale caused nerves in the Youghal ranks when Aisling Fitzgerald struck from distance to score a beautiful goal, reducing the deficit to 3-2. With Ally McCormack’s influence growing down the Avondale right the game was now in the balance. With Youghal visibly tiring Avondale pressed for an equaliser with the influential Aisling Fitzgerald pushing into midfield. All of Youghal’s back line stood firm and their commitment allowed Rachel Galvin to score a further two goals for Youghal to break Avondale’s resolve. Her first came courtesy of a slight deflection. Set up by Holly Twomey her shot from the edge of the area spun inside the right post. The number 7 added a second and needed no assistance as she outran the visitor’s defence and struck an unstoppable shot beyond the despairing keeper.

The game now looked safe at 5-2 but great credit to Avondale who continued to test Youghal’s resolute defence. A brilliant interchange of passing between Rachel Galvin, Claire Keniry and Holly Twomey should have resulted in another score but Holly’s well placed effort beat both the keeper and the post. Youghal scored a sixth with the last kick of the game when Emma Varney’s low, hard cross was turned in by the tireless Amy Benaim. A great performance that saw hard work matched by great passing and finishing to collect a well-deserved three points. Squad: Stephanie Fitzgerald, Sarah Roche, Katie Manning, Marie-Louise Keane, Jen Geary, Rachel Galvin, Rachel Geary, Claire Keniry, Emily Roche, Holly Twomey, Amy Benaim, Ellen Benaim, Emma Varney, Lynda Galvin.

Juvenile Matchplay 2010
The 2010 Juvenile Matchplay came to an end recently with the most experienced juvenile David Poynton becoming the victor. Throughout the whole competition there were many exciting matches. The match between Una Brosnan and Adam Bulman went to sudden death with a dramatic ending where Una lipped out giving Adam the win and a place in the  next round of the competition.

Also the game between brothers David O Brien and Ian O Brien went to four holes of sudden death and was a great battle to watch. Ian eventually came out on top after the fourth play off hole.
Congratulations all the players who took part in the matchplay and well done to David Poynton once again, not forgetting his opponent in the final Erin. Well Done!.
Well done to Paudie O’ Sullivan who finished runner-up at the Larkspur park scratch cup last weekend. A three shot swing and a visit to the water on th very last hole cost Paudie a well deserved victory.
Fixtures-
Lady Captain Phil Mangans re-arranged prize will be layed for over the weekend of 19th September.
Noel O’ Driscoll memorial – weekend of 26th September.

Carboot / Market Sale in The Walter Raleigh Youghal.
20th Dec 2009 from 10am to 3pm

Local Traders Selling Local Produce eg, Crafts, Baking, Veg, Pottery and Jumble sale stuff. People don’t have an indoor outlet to sell there produce so why not try this novel idea with Paula. If it works out she will try to do it monthly and maybe outdoors in the summer. Its €2 entry fee an €10 per pitch for traders. Pitches must be booked by contacting Paula on Mobile: 087 2845331.