Pierce Purcell Progress – Swinford Hold Their Nerve in Back-to-Back Playoffs
Swinford Golf Club have advanced to the next stage of the Pierce Purcell Shield, coming through two tense rounds against Carrick-on-Shannon and Castle Dargan, both decided in sudden-death playoffs.
The opening match on June 15 saw Swinford level the tie 2–2 after regular play. At home, Sean Geraghty & Pat O’Neill were assured in a 4 & 2 win, while Michael Dee & Dougie Cairns were narrowly beaten. Away, Keith McHugh & Barry Durkan lost out, but Gary McNeela & Declan Munnelly delivered a fine 5 & 4 win.
In the playoff, McNeela and Munnelly returned to action, and it was Declan who held his nerve on the second extra hole to seal victory.
Two weeks later, on June 28, Swinford hosted Castle Dargan. Geraghty and O’Neill were again in top form, producing a dominant 7 & 6 win. Durkan & McHugh came through a tightly contested match with a crucial 2 & 1 victory, helped by a long-range putt on the 16th that proved decisive.
Away, both Swinford pairings were narrowly beaten on the 18th, setting up yet another playoff. With home advantage, Geraghty and O’Neill stepped up once more, securing the win with a composed par on the first extra hole.
Two rounds, two playoffs, and two calm finishes under pressure. Swinford advance, battle-tested and building momentum. Next up, it’s Enniscrone on Sunday 13th July.
Also in July, Cecil Ewing match on July 21st v Claremorris with Gerry Tierney as Team Captain. Good luck to both teams.
Golfer Of The Year Update
Eight competitions played, and some familiar faces are making their way up the leaderboard in the 2025 Men’s Golfer of the Year. Double champion, James Irwin moves ominously into third place and Gerry Ronayne moves into a tie for fifth. However, it is the ultra-consistent Andy Murphy who leads the way on 34 points, overtaking Niall McHugh who now lies in second place.
Here are the current standings:
| Current Rank | Player | Number of Tournaments | Number of Wins | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Murphy | 8 | 0 | 34 |
| 2 | Niall McHugh | 6 | 1 | 25 |
| 3 | James Irwin | 8 | 1 | 24 |
| 4 | Jim O' Donnell | 7 | 1 | 21 |
| T5 | Michael Carroll | 8 | 1 | 20 |
| T5 | Gerard Ronayne | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| 7 | Mark Fulham | 6 | 0 | 19 |
| 8 | John Sheahan | 8 | 0 | 17 |
| 9 | Vincent Murtagh | 8 | 0 | 16 |
| 10 | Enda Murtagh | 5 | 1 | 15 |
| T11 | James Kilroy | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| T11 | Liam Healy | 8 | 0 | 14 |
| T13 | Michael Dee | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| T13 | Philip Irwin Jnr | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| T13 | Sean Comer | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| T13 | Philip Irwin | 9 | 0 | 12 |
| T17 | Ronan Monaghan | 8 | 0 | 11 |
| T17 | Gearoid Brady | 6 | 0 | 11 |
| T19 | Steve Hall | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| T19 | Chris Ronayne | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| T19 | Cormac Fearon | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| T22 | Ron Howko | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| T22 | Eric Hynes | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| T22 | Declan Munnelly | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| T22 | Brian Turbitt | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| T26 | Padraig O'Toole | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| T26 | Sean Geraghty | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| T26 | Padraig Lyndon | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| T26 | Anthony Spain | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| T26 | Rob Thornburgh | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| T31 | Thomas Regan | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| T31 | Charles Quinn1 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| T31 | Sean Kavanagh | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| T31 | Gary McNeela | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| T35 | Gerry Tierney | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| T35 | Kevin Feeney | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| T35 | Keith J McHugh | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| T35 | Barry Durkan | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| T35 | Marty Munnelly | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| 40 | Tom Horkan | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| 41 | Francisco Lamarque | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| T42 | Sean Golden | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| T42 | Keith McHugh | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| T42 | Matt Duggan | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| 45 | Shane Lacey | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| T46 | Joe Kennedy | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| T46 | Tommy Foy | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Strong Showing from Juniors at Westport Community Games
There was a good showing from our junior golfers in Westport on Sunday evening, where seven young players took part in the Community Games pitch-and-putt competition. Representing the club were Ryan Munnelly, Fiachra O’Donnell, Ruadh O’Donnell, Harry Murtagh, Conor Lynskey, Cormac Fearon, and David Mullanay.
Three of the lads, Ruadh O’Donnell, Cormac Fearon, and Ryan Munnelly, came away with medals after some solid play across the evening. Even better, Ryan and Cormac have now qualified for the All-Ireland Series, which takes place in Westport later this summer. It was a good evening all round, and encouraging to see so many juniors out competing.
A reminder that Junior Golf continues every Friday from 4pm to 5:30pm., new faces always welcome.
Tidy Towns Blitz
A big thank you to the Swinford Golf Club members who rolled up their sleeves and gave their time during the Tidy Towns 3-Day Blitz last week.
We were glad to team up with Swinford GAA to tackle the Park Road area, from the Kilkelly Road junction up to the Kiltimagh Road; clearing weeds, picking litter, and giving the place a much-needed tidy-up.
It was great to see club members out helping the wider community. Every bit of effort counts, and it all adds up. Well done to all involved.
President’s Prize
The first major of the season got underway in fine style as the sun beamed down for Carmel Timoney’s President’s Prize. A great day’s golf was matched by some good scoring and a strong turnout from members.
In the Gents 18 Hole Stroke, Chris Ronayne led the way with a superb nett 65, a composed and clinical round that saw him lift the honours. Just behind him was Ronan Monaghan on 67, who, much like Melania Trump on election night, managed to grab the spotlight from the President for a brief but memorable moment. Club stalwart Sean Geraghty came home third with a solid 68, the only other score in red figures.
In the Ladies 18 Hole Stroke, Annie McNeela claimed victory with a fine 67, edging Ann Deacy on the back nine in a close contest. Hilary McCrohan followed up with a steady 71 to secure third.
A warm thank you to President Carmel for her generous hospitality and the relaxed, welcoming tone she set for the day. Congratulations to all our prize winners. And commiserations to the rest. Tis a long season yet.
Lady Beginners
A big thank you to all the volunteers who give their time each Tuesday evening to support our Lady Beginners. Your encouragement and good humour make all the difference. A special word of thanks to the Gerry Ronayne, whose coaching earlier in the season laid a great foundation and who help with setting the tone with his usual mix of know-how and patience. It’s brilliant to see so many new faces getting involved and enjoying their golf.
Competition Results
Weekend May 31/June 01
Womens 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Geraldine Turbitt 36 points
🥈 Dympna O’Donnell 35 points
🥉 Bernie Walsh 35 points
Mens 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Enda Murtagh 44 points
🥈 Jimmy O’Donnell 40 points
🥉 Padraig Lyndon 40 points
Bridie Ronayne Memorial
Womens 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Hilary McCrohan 41 points
🥈 Annie McNeela 40 points
🥉 Dympna O’Donnell 38 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11688591590460278625
Mens 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Paul Fitzgibbon 41 points
🥈 Jim O’Donnell 40 points
🥉 Eugene Maloney 40 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11688611749426153321
Sunday June 08
Womens 9 Hole Stableford
🥇 Carmel Timoney 23 points
🥈 Annie McNeela 21 points
🥉 Bernie Walsh 19 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11706466383003961042
Mens 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Michael Dee 42 points
🥈 James Irwin 39 points
🥉 Andy Murphy 39 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11706450838846228173
Weekend June 14/15
Women’s Date O’Hara Cup – 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Annie McNeela 40 points
🥈 Dympna O’Donnell 39 points
🥉 Margaret Mulligan 38 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11726416322316256812
Men’s Guinness Cup – 18 Hole Stableford
🥇 James Irwin 44 points
🥈 Eric Hynes 42 points
🥉 Vincent Murtagh 41 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11726402469469668903
June 21 – Presidents Prize
Ladies 18 Hole Stroke
🥇Annie McNeela 67
🥈Ann Deacy 67
🥉Hilary McCrohan 71
Gents 18 Hole Stroke
🥇Chris Ronayne 65
🥈Ronan Monaghan 67
🥉Sean Geraghty 68
Weekend June 28/29
18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Annie McNeela 35 points
🥈 Hilary McCrohan 33 points
🥉 Dympna O’Donnell 33 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11767364773719623520
18 Hole Stableford
🥇 Cormac Fearon 44 points
🥈 James Kilroy 41 points
🥉 Andy Murphy 41 points
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11767340643083405134