Pierce Purcell Quarter Final v Elmgreen

Sutton cruised to the Semi Final of The Pierce Purcell Shield North Leinster section following a superb win against a classy Elm Green team. Sutton’s links were glowing in the July sunshine and the rough was up. First out at home were Mark Hogan and Johnny Lappin. This duo’s reputation is gaining traction and yet again they performed like super stars. Just like their many previous dominant wins, this was Pierce Purcell professionalism at its best. Johnny flew in from Portugal especially for the game and headed straight from the baggage-belt to the course to practice late into Saturday night - that’s dedication for you. Mark seems to hole a dramatic putt every round and this time he held an 60 foot putt on the third hole from short of the green. An easy 5&4 win soon followed - and it was completed with a birdie 2 on the 15th hole. Incredible stuff. A new pair of young bucks were selected at home for Sutton with Frank Kennedy and Michael O’Halloran. They were up against a superb gym-fit pairing from Elm Green. This was box office stuff. What a start - both Sutton players holed putts from off the green on 1 and 2 for birdie. 2 up. Elm Green were now, understandably, under pressure and had a few train track balls on 3. We were 3 up after 3. On 4, Sutton donated a couple of balls to the lake of death but won 5, halved 7 and were 4 up at the turn. Frank drove the green on the 10th for another Sutton birdie. Mesmerising. Sutton had an iron-like grip on this match and shook hands on the 14th green 5 up. A new chapter has been added to Roddy Guiney’s history book about this match. Wow. What a way to make an entry into a team. This was Frank Kennedys first ever appearance in Pierce Purcell in his long inter-club career. He was always too low but just qualifies this year on the number. Perfect. Away in Elm Green Bryan Coughlan and Tom O’Gorman met their match at last. They have been blazing a trail through Leinster and won their last three matches away by 5, 4 and 5 holes. But their winning streak ended in Elm Green against a stellar pairing who were massive hitters. They started par-birdie-eagle to put Elm Green 3 up after 3 and held on for a good win. The Sutton lads would agree this was the best pairing they have faced all year and they deserved their win. Sutton just needed a half point and looked to James Kelly and David Lally. Would there be drama? Would there be a dreaded playoff in Elm Green? From very early Sutton were in control here. 2 ahead after 2 became 3 ahead after 9. In reality our lads were always in control. They won the crucial third point on the 15th green. Awesome. We have, to date, beaten Hollywood Lakes, Beaverstown, Ashbourne and Elm Green. Black Bush Dunshaughlin await us in the semi final on 19th July at 2pm. The dream is still alive for our Pierce Purcell team and managers Ronan O’Driscoll and John Lally. With a team with such depth and quality there is no reason to believe we can’t go further. Time for calm heads. Far and Sure.

Frank’s taps in a birdie on 10 to go 5 up