Pierce Purcell V Ashbourne
Sutton marched through to the Quarter Finals of the 2026 North Leinster Pierce Purcell Shield with a dominant performance against Ashbourne.
It was a familiar Sutton team with just one change this time around with David Lally replacing Callum Buchan who was unavailable.
At home first out were Mark Hogan and Johnny Lappin and once again they led from the front. They were 1 down early but immediately bounced back. This was a ding-dong battle and there was never much in it. Sutton won the 9th with a remarkable birdie - Mark holing an incredible 100 foot putt from well short of the green. But it was still all square on the 15th tee and thats when Sutton broke ahead - 2 great hole wins to shake hands on 17th. Relief!
Previously unbeaten Oisin Cunningham and Gordon Linehan were, according to the Ashbourne manager, playing their strongest partnership. They were 2 up after 7 and cruising but the Ashbourne team won 4 holes in a row with a par blitz and never looked back from there. The Sutton lads fought to the end but it wasn’t their day. 1 point each.
John Lally was managing the away team in Ashbourne and Tom O’Gorman blasted a driver down the first and his partner Bryan Coughlan found the green. 1 up, 2 up, 3 up after 3 and Sutton never looked back. Incredible golf. Ashbourne were in trouble and fought back briefly to 2 down but in reality Tom and Bryan were awesome in Ashbourne and closed out the match with a comfortable 5 up win. They did the same last time away in Beaverstown. It was a superb win away and a second dominant away performance for this star pairing. Brilliant.
David Lally and James Kelly were our anchor pair away. Ashbourne holed a 70 yard bunker shot to go 1 up early but that was their highlight. Superb golf from Sutton dominated this match and they won comfortably with a 3 up win on 15.
The overall score was 3-1 and Sutton will take on Elmgreen in the Quarter Final in early July. This was a glorious win on a beautiful day and there was tremendous home support watching the matches. We have 3 wins under our belt now and will be ready for the next round.
Far and Sure.
