Posts filed under 'Sport Events'
On the evening of July 31st 1994, Laura Davies left Dublin and headed home to her cottage in Surrey. She had just claimed the 30th tournament victory of her professional career, which was precisely what everybody had expected her to do. But more importantly, through an eight-stroke victory at St Margaret’s, she had launched, almost single-handedly, a new phase in the development of women’s professional golf on this island.
Though the Irish Ladies Open has been absent from the Ladies European Tour’s schedule since its last staging in 2004, it will be returning next July to Portmarnock Links as a consequence of a five-year deal which also involves the staging of the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, Co Meath, in 2011. In considering the anticipated impact of these developments more than a decade on from that July evening, the name of Laura Davies jumps to the forefront of our minds, once more.
So, Alison Nicholas will forgive us if her choice as captain of the Solheim Cup team for Chicago in 2009 was welcomed here, not for the obvious reasons. For the hope is that when the biennial event comes to Ireland two years later, Laura must now be a clear frontrunner for the captaincy. Which is what the organisers at Killeen Castle secretly desired when they secured the event towards the end of 2006.
Nicholas, the 1997 US Women’s Open champion, has paid her dues as a distinguished member of victorious Solheim Cup teams and as vice captain in 2003 and 2005. And she also won the Irish Open by a sparkling eight strokes on her debut in the event at City West in 1996. Indeed it proved to be her last European success.
Interestingly, her presence there was greatly influenced by Davies, her Solheim Cup partner, who had been Irish Open champion in the previous two years. And Nicholas proved her worth with an 11-under-par aggregate of 277, which included a course-record 65 on the Saturday. Davies, who conceded second place to Trish Johnson by a double-bogey at the last, said of the newly-crowned champion: “I told her it was a great tournament.”
Another fascinating performance that weekend came from a young Englishwoman named Allison Shapcott, who carded four birdies to match the winner’s final round of 70. Indeed Shapcott claimed £2,838 for a share of seventh place, five months before her marriage to Paul McGinley who, incidentally, earned no prize money that week, having opted out of the Dutch Open.
Meanwhile Davies, who was born on October 5th 1963, seems determined to continue her playing career. And it would be difficult to blame her, given earnings of $684,000 on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in the US this year and a victory last August in the SAS Masters in Norway – her first anywhere in over two years.
But she will be nudging 46 by the time the next Solheim Cup comes around and obviously, much will depend on her form in the run up to Chicago. Either way, it seems a safe bet at this stage that the player who did more than anybody to revive women’s tournament golf in this country, will be the Solheim Cup captain in Ireland.
All of which brings me back to a weekend at Woodbrook in October 1993. That was when a remarkable attendance of more than 5,000 turned up on a Saturday for the Ford Challenge, which was little more than a modest, 18-hole event. In such circumstances, the public response staggered the sponsors and lent rich emphasis to the tradition of women supporting their own game, given a reasonably attractive product. On that occasion at Woodbrook, they certainly showed themselves to be far more committed than their male counterparts would ever be.
As it happened, things could hardly have gone better for the two-day tournament, with the weather being unusually kind for that time of year. And the quality of play matched the benign conditions with Sweden’s Carin Hjalmarsson, then a relatively raw, 22-year-old, setting the target in the individual event with a seven-under-par 67. Long and strong, she confirmed the promise of the previous year when she joined Davies in the last round of the English Open.
Her Woodbrook effort meant that Davies, everybody’s favourite, needed to cover the last three holes in one under par for victory, one month after retaining her British Open crown. Pars on the long 16th and short 17th meant that everything hinged on her play of the treacherous, 348-yard 18th, with the notorious railway-line beckoning on the right.
In the event, she hit a two iron downwind off the tee, sending the ball 210 yards safely up the middle of the fairway. Then came a 136-yard wedge to set up the winning birdie. With a stunning 66, she had beaten Hjalmarsson by a stroke. And an indication of the overall quality of the field can be gleaned from the fact that Corinne Dibnah was third, followed by a particularly interesting quartet on 69 _ five under par.
They were Dale Reid, Catriona Lambert, the same Allison Shapcott who was to become Mrs Paul McGinley three years later, and a promising young Swede by the name of Annika Sorenstam. There’s one for the quiz table: when did Annika Sorenstam compete in this country? I suspect even the more enlightened followers of the game would be surprised to discover that it happened in modest circumstances at Woodbrook. Meanwhile, an appropriate Irish flavour was added to the leaderboard by the presence on 70 of Maureen Garner, who has since become a highly respected on-course commentator with the BBC television golf team.
In the team section of the tournament, which had been held the previous day, victory went to the then 19-year-old from Bristol, Caroline Hall, who led her amateur partners to a sparkling score of 130 – 18 under par – for a winning margin of two strokes. Victory was sealed by remarkable figures on the 18th when Hall’s team had a combined score of only five, which was the product of a net eagle two by former Munster Interprovincial Mary Dowling and a net birdie by Marion Cleary from Royal Tara.
The success of this pro-am section reflected much credit on the professionals who happily agreed to play without cash reward. Their big event came on Saturday which carried a fund of £25,000. Significantly, Australia’s Karen Lunn remarked: “We are prepared to do this in the hope it will lead to bigger things.”
It certainly did, to the extent that the LET (then the WPG) eventually succeeded in establishing a long-awaited foothold in the Republic. In came the following July in the form of the £70,000 Women’s Irish Holidays Open and was played at the relatively new St Margaret’s stretch, close by Dublin Airport. This was almost 10 years after the previous staging of the event at Clandeboye, where it was held on October 10th to 13th 1984, with a stunning prize fund of £Stg100,000 under the Smirnoff banner.
As it happened, victory went to the American veteran, Kathy Whitworth, who had celebrated her 45th birthday the previous month. It was her 87th and last tournament win and she beat a distinguished field in which Pat Bradley was tied second, Donna Caponi was tied fourth and Jan Stephenson and Betsy King were tied ninth. And an indication of the size of the prize fund was that Whitworth’s winning cheque of £22,500 was considerably greater than the £18,330 which Bernhard Langer collected as Irish (men’s) Open Champion at Royal Dublin in August of that year.
When the tournament was revived at St Margaret’s victory went, as I have indicated, to the irrepressible Davies who crushed the opposition with rounds of 70,72,69 and 71 for a six-under-par aggregate of 282. And there were resonances of Woodbrook the previous October when Hjalmarsson again finished second, this time in a tie with Helen Wadsworth. Hall was tied fourth.
By her own estimation, it was a very important victory for Davies in that it maintained her record of at least one win per season on the European Tour over a period of 10 years. But as we will discover in the revived Irish Open next July, she had flown the women’s golf flag here, to lasting effect.
Dermot Gilleece
July 19th, 2010
O’Driscoll Leads Munster in Cardiff
In the absence of Paul O’Connell who was named in the squad earlier in the week, Munster will be led by Mick O’Driscoll for their final away game of the season, Sundays (4.35pm) Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park.
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Munster Welcome New Competition
Twelve teams from the English Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership, three Scotland sides along with Munster, Leinster and Ulster will compete for the inaugural trophy.
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Quinlan Hearing Next Wednesday
Alan Quinlan, the Munster back row forward, will appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin on Wednesday next, 13 May, 2009, as a result of a citing arising from the Heineken Cup semi-final match against Leinster at Croke Park last weekend.
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Grand Slam Glory DVD Giveaway
Munster Rugby are offering you the chance to win a copy of the commemorative triple DVD Disc set to celebrate Ireland’s historic RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam win.
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May 22nd, 2009
Three Changes for Munster
Munster coach Tony McGahan makes three changes, from the side that started against Glasgow Warriors six days ago, for the opening Heineken Cup game against French side Montauban in Thomond Park tomorrow (Fri) evening (8pm).
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Quinlan Can’t Wait
As far as Alan Quinlan is concerned, Friday night can’t come, quick enough, the Heineken Cup against Montauban eagerly awaited by the Co Tipp man who will line up in the Munster back-row alongside David Wallace and Justin Melck.
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Win a trip for 2 to Sale v Munster
The next Play To Win prize is 2 match tickets and 2 flights, to the Heineken Cup away pool game, Munster Rugby v Sale Sharks on the 19th October. Flights are same day return from Cork with Munster Sports Travel. Draw takes place on the 14th of October. Logon to MyMunster.com and click on Play to Win to enter.
Enter Here
October 10th, 2008
You can win a trip for two people to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by entering the Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Championships.
From Thursday 6th March, contestants will bravely risk hand cramps, broken nails and psychological exhaustion in their bid to become the Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Champion of Ireland.
The champion will go on to represent Ireland at the 2008 Olympic Games (as a spectator).
Speaking at the launch of the Championship, Diageo Head of Lagers, Niall Tracey said “There is a real sense of excitement about this championship. It’s the first of its kind in Ireland and we hope to find a worthy Budweiser Rock Paper Scissors Champion, and of course have a lot of fun along the way. We will be looking out for someone with real agility and stamina that will be able to compete against the best”.
Matti Leshem, Commissioner of the USA Rock Paper Scissors League said: “With the support of Budweiser, we are excited to take Rock Paper Scissors to the international stage in 2008 and expect Ireland to produce a talented field. Rock Paper Scissors is a game of strategy and skill, and competitors will not be able to rely on the ‘luck of the Irish’ to become the country’s Rock Paper Scissors champion!”
The Rock Paper Scissors championships will take place in 64 pubs in the Dublin area throughout March and April. Players will compete in a knock-out tournament, on a best of three matches basis, until there is one left standing.
Any competitors may want to take note of some practical advice from the USARPS League: Rock is the most common opening move, and also the move used most often in times need. Paper is considered to be a passive move, but it still defeats rock. Scissors is the favourite of more cerebral players.
If you want to represent Ireland at the Olympics, now is the time to get practising. No-one wants to risk finger strain during the championships.
Find out more at http://www.usarps.com
March 5th, 2008
Improve your golf with a unique seminar, developed by sports hypnotist Dr Karl Morris.
If you have trouble concentrating on the course, or if one bad shot invariably leads to another, you could benefit from the courses. They are:
- Royal Country Down, Northern Ireland – 21/02/08 – Host Kevan Whitson – Call 028 4372 2419 for details
- Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland – 11/04/08 – Host Gary McNeill – Call 028 7082 2311 for details
The Mind Factor Workshops will help you improve your game, your concentration levels, and ultimately, your future.
February 7th, 2008
Leinster are preparing for their Heineken Cup clash at Leicester on Saturday 19th of January.
While the Leicester side is strong, Leinster coach Michael Cheika is confident they will be able to get a result.
He said: “What we’ve got to do is go up there and make sure we keep sowing a bit of doubt in
their minds in their home base, where they don’t lose very often.
“We’ve got to make sure we continue to play well…and try to sneak a win up there.”
Leinster’s preparations were given a boost with the news that both injury worries Shane Horgan and Ollie le Roux have recovered enough to be included in the squad. They will face fitness tests oon Thursday, but are expected to be at near 100%.
The full squad to face Leicester is:
Forwards (15): Cian Healy, Ollie le Roux, Ronan McCormack, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Stan Wright, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt, Malcolm O’Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Keith Gleeson, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip
Backs (12): Guy Easterby, Chris Keane, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Christian Warner, Brian O’Driscoll, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan,
Girvan Dempsey
Ireland duo Gordon D’Arcy and Malcolm O’Kelly, need only three more appearances for Leinster to equal who both joined Reggie Corrigan’s record for the province.
Over 1,000 Leinster supporters are expected to travel to Leicester for the Heineken Cup match, which kicks off at 3.30PM at Welford Road.
January 16th, 2008
Ireland kick off their RBS Six Nations campaign against Italy, in the first game of the tournament.
Ireland have the home advantage against Italy, and the supporters at Croke Park are sure to be in fine form as they cheer Ireland to victory (hopefully).
Croke Park will also play host to Scotland and Wales, while Ireland travel to play France and England. Whether home or away, the Irish support will be just as enthusiastic.
The full fixture list for this year’s RBS Six Nations is:
Sat 2nd Feb 08 14:00 Ireland v Italy Croke Park
Sat 2nd Feb 08 16:30 England v Wales Twickenham
Sun 3rd Feb 08 15:00 Scotland v France Murrayfield
Sat 9th Feb 08 14:00 Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium
Sat 9th Feb 08 17:00 France v Ireland Stade de France
Sun 10th Feb 08 15:30 Italy v England Stadio Flaminio
Sat 23rd Feb 08 15:00 Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium
Sat 23rd Feb 08 17:00 Ireland v Scotland Croke Park
Sat 23rd Feb 08 21:00 France v England Stade de France
Sat 8th Mar 08 13:15 Ireland v Wales Croke Park
Sat 8th Mar 08 15:15 Scotland v England Murrayfield
Sun 9th Mar 08 16:00 France v Italy Stade de France
Sat 15th Mar 08 14:00 Italy v Scotland Stadio Flaminio
Sat 15th Mar 08 15:00 England v Ireland Twickenham
Sat 15th Mar 08 17:00 Wales v France Millennium Stadium
After losing out on the Six Nations trophy on points difference last year, Ireland are deservedly confident of victory in 2008.
January 7th, 2008
Thankfully, Brian O’Driscoll will be able to guide Ireland into their first world cup game against Namibia this Sunday.
The Irish captain sustained a fractured sinus injury when playing against the French club Bayonne last month.
Now that the captain is fully recovered from his sports wound, he can now help Ireland on their way to victory!
The Namibian team will have less support than they had predicted. The president of the Rugby Union of Namibia and all of his executives have been banned from the Rugby World Cup due to suspected irregular sales of tickets. All the more support for Ireland!
Ireland’s games this month
Ireland v Namibia on Sunday 9th September (Bordeaux)
Ireland v Georgia on Saturday 15th September (Bordeaux)
France v Ireland on Friday 21st September (Saint-Denis)
Ireland v Argentina on Sunday 30th September (Paris)
Ireland’s expected line up against Namibia
15 Girvan Dempsey
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Brian O’Driscoll
12 Gordon D’Arcy
11 Denis Hickie
10 Ronan O’Gara
9 Peter Stringer
1 Marcus Horan
2 Rory Best
3 John Hayes
4 Donncha O’Callaghan
5 Paul O’Connell
6 Simon Easterby
7 David Wallace
8 Denis Leamy
Replacements
16 Jerry Flannery
17 Simon Best
18 Malcolm O’Kelly
19 Neil Best
20 Isaac Boss
21 Paddy Wallace
22 Geordan Murphy
Read more information at the official Rugby World Cup site.
September 7th, 2007
In the latest soccer fixtures, Ireland have some very challenging trips abroad. With friendlies and Euro 2008 qualifiers coming up, the Irish fans will be enjoying some exotic holidays as they follow the team.
First up, Ireland will be taking on Denmark in Aarhus on August the 22nd. This is sure to be an entertaining match, as both teams will be experimenting before resuming Euro 2008 qualifiers. This is the first international match for the Irish team since May and is a great opportunity for manager Steve Staunton to perhaps bring some fresh faces into the squad.
Back to competative matches, Ireland travel to Bratislava to face Slovakia in the Euro 2008 Group D qualifiers. The last time the two teams met, Ireland managed a 1 – 0 win.
They will be hoping to build on this success on Saturday September the 8th, and move one step closer to qualification for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
After the match in Slovakia, Ireland will hop across the border to take on the Czech Republic. The Sparta Prague Stadium will be packed as two of the favourites to progress from the Euro 2008 Group D qualifiers face off.
Last time the two team met, it was a hard fought 1 – 1 draw. Without the home advantage, Ireland will no doubt he happy with another draw against the skilled Czech attack.
You can join the Irish fans in Prague on Wednesday September the 12th.
On November the 17th, there is a match slightly closer to home, as Ireland travel to the beautiful Millenium Stadium in Wales for the last Euro 2008 qualifier.
The stadium is sure to be packed as, hopefully, Ireland secure their place among the qualifiers for Euro 2008.
Tickets for any of these games are available through the FAI.
August 10th, 2007
There’s a lot going on at Donnybrook, as Leinster prepare for the new season.
First, a new Rugby Development Officer has been named. Everyone at Leinster Rugby is delighted at the appointment of David McAllister.
The former Leinster and Ireland Under-21 out-half will be responsible for the North Midlands area. Hopes are high that his experience will help him unearth some exciting new talent.
But that’s not all. You can now sport the colours of your favourite team, as the new home jersey for the 2007/08 season is now available at the Leinster Rugby Store. Short sleeved jerseys are only €77, with long sleeved shirts costing €80.
The 2007/08 season looks to be a very exciting one for Leinster. Season ticket applications have almost doubled since last year. Priced at just €199, a new batch of Bronze season tickets has been released after the initial tickets were snapped up within weeks. Make sure you get yours quickly to avoid disappointment.
For devoted Leinster fans who can’t make it to all the home games, Leinster Supporters Memberships are available for next season.
Exile packages (€50) are designed for those Leinster fans all across the globe. The kids can join the Leinster Cubs for just €30.
Look out for more rugby news as the 2007/08 season approaches.
July 24th, 2007
It was a moment no one in Ireland will ever forget. With the quarter finals of the 1990 World Cup within touching distance, legendary goalkeeper Packie Bonner faced off against Romanian striker Daniel Timofte.
The save by Bonner won the penalty shoot-out, and sent Ireland into the World Cup quarter finals.
For that, and the many other achievements during his football career, Packie Bonner was honoured with the Freedom of the County in Donegal, the area’s highest accolade.
He became only the second person to receive the honour, after fellow goalkeeper Shay Given was awarded it last year.
An emotional Packie Bonner paid tribute to his family, friends, coaches and fellow players who influenced him.
He said: “Without them I would not be where I am today. As you go through this, you need special people and I had it in my family. They are the people that helped me get where I am.”
Mayor of Donegal Enda Bonner thanked his cousin Packie for the great memories he had given every Irishman.
He said: “This award will adequately reflect the great esteem in which Packie is held by the people of the counties for the wonderful memories he has given us and the work he continues to do.”
Packie Bonner came from very humble beginnings. Aged 10, he and his twin brother Denis were able to get their pair of football boots after a good herring season in Donegal.
He became Jock Stein’s last signing for Celtic, when he moved to Glasgow in 1978.
His Ireland debut came in May 1981, on his 21st birthday. He went on to play 642 times for Celtic, and won 80 caps for Ireland.
But it was that famous save and Ireland’s run during the 1990 World Cup that turned Bonner into a national hero.
He said: “Everybody, young and old enjoyed it. I was privileged to be part of such a great team.”
He can also now enjoy the privilege of walking his cattle through Dungloe.
June 26th, 2007
Dublin has got plenty to entice sport lovers. You name the sport and Dublin has it. Currently, Ireland cricket team is on a verge of giving its first ever appearance in the World Cup cricket Matches 2007, declared to be held in West Indies and South America. Besides cricket, Dublin has also proved its superiority in wind surfing, water sports, horse racing, golf, grey hound racing, soccer and rugby. To keep you up dated, Dublin Events has added a new sports list containing worthy information about up-coming sports events of the falling year. Browse Dublin Sports to get latest updates.
January 16th, 2007
