One big weekend at Ballycastle

It was a weekend of intense competition at Ballycastle with the finals of the individual matchplay cups on Friday night followed by two major cup competitions on Saturday and Sunday.

The Valencia Cup was contested by Owen Kennedy and Brendan Black with Owen pulling away over the last four holes to lift the trophy. Next up was the Tieve Tara final and here young Harry Kilgore followed up his Duncarbit win the previous weekend by putting Sammy Knowles to the sword.

The Culfeightrin Cup final was a ding dong affair only decided on the 18th green where Paul Brogan pipped the youthful Oran Kearney. Congratulations to all the finalists who made the evening a very enjoyable occasion.

On Saturday the Rathlin Cup was up for grabs and the top two places were filled by men also well known for their prowess on a different sporting turf. Kieran Kelly (14) with a superb back nine of five under par secured the trophy with a nett 66 to push Seamus McMullan (9) into second place on 67.

The Section 1 prize went to Des Nevin (8) with a nett 67 while Francis Og McGinn took Section 2 honours with a nett 68 playing off 13. Michael Shirley (19) survived an eight at the 14th to win the Section 3 voucher with a nett 69. Michael Dallat jnr won first gross with a 76 on a better back nine from Harry Sheehan in second gross place.

The Margy Cup was contested on Sunday with Aaron McAuley (12) the clear winner with a fine nett 65 including birdies at the first and sixth holes. Rory Gallagher (6) was the winner of Section 1 with a nett 68 while David Morgan (13) took Section 2 with a 67 and Liam Laverty led the way in Section 3 with a nett 69 off his 21 handicap. Patrick Dallat jnr took the gross prize on 76.

Members and visitors are reminded that Open Week begins on Thursday 11th July. Full details are available on the club website.

Related topics: