Ladies lift Ulster crown

The championship outing proved memorable for Sheena McStay’s players - many of whom had lost out to Malone in the previous day’s senior foursomes showdown.

Maeve Cummins moved into an early lead and proved in top form across the greens, eventually closing out her match on the 15th in a 5 and 3 win.

Bronagh McKavanagh’s opponent posted an eagle on hole one but the Lurgan player battled back from two down to reach the 18th in contention before losing out.

Cara Murphy proved in top form from the start on the way to securing another Lurgan point with a 6 and 4 success.

Fiona McGrady’s match proved tight across the front nine before the Lurgan player was forced to concede over the back leg, losing 3 and 2 at the 16th.

Christine Hagan entered the closing challenge with overall victory in sight and the tense finale featured impressive play by both ladies.

With a half the target on the final green, her Malone opponent guided a chip to within an inch before eventually forcing a tie-hole scenario.

Hagan avoided the mistake of her rival on the final outing and kept the ball out of trouble to set up a short chip to the green before eventually making the decisive putt.

Lurgan now travel to Cork this month for the All-Ireland final.

EDENMORE

Results from the Open Week at Edenmore: MONDAY OPEN STABLEFORD (sponsored by Calor): men - 1, Josh Logan 40 points; 2, Stephen McGarvey 40; 3, Ryan Chambers 39; gross, Timothy Jordan 71; longest drive, Olcan Kearney; nearest-the-pin, Sean McCabe. ladies - 1, Karen Legrand 33 points; 2, Stephanie Watson 30; 3, Glenda McKee. WEDNESDAY OPEN STABLEFORD (sponsored by Johnson’s Coffee): 1, Robert Norton 44 points; 2, Ivan Donaghy 42; 3, Lee McClintock 41; gross, Paddy Agnew 74; gross runner-up, Mark Reilly 75; longest drive, Phillip Kelly; nearest-the-pin, Rodger Erwin. FRIDAY OPEN STABLEFORD (sponsored by NFU Mutual): 1, Andrew Graham 40 points; 2, Sheldon Lyttle 40; 3, Kevin Walsh 39; gross, Stuart Cave 74; longest drive, Gavin McErlean; nearest-the-pin, Stephen Carse. SUNDAY OPEN STABLEFORD (sponsored by Comco Plastics): men - 1, Geoff Brown 43 points; 2, Jason Tandy 39; 3, Keith Hare 38; gross, Ian Ross 76; longest drive, Graham McIlroy; nearest-the-pin, Robbie Hamilton. ladies - 1, Katie Russell 38; 2, Sally Cushnahan 34; non-handicap, Richard Megarity 32.