IT was drama to the end in the AIG Cups and Shields All-Ireland finals, at Carton House, as both the Senior Cup and Jimmy Bruen Shield deciders went to extra time before Co Sligo and Cill Dara collected the honours.
Ruairi O’Connor clinched the vital point for the Rosses Point team, against double-chasing Castle who had won the Junior Cup on Thursday, to take the Senior Cup home for a fifth time. O'Connor, playing in the third match, had to win the 18th hole to keep his and his team mates' hopes of a medal alive and when his opponent, Robert Moran, came up short with his birdie attempt on the 19th green, O'Connor pounced to win the hole and the Senior Cup for Co Sligo.
Ironically, Co Sligo was beaten by a birdie at the 19th in the final by Tramore, two years ago.
Belfast man Jim Robertson is, of course, head pro at Co Sligo and has coached many of the successful players. Next day, after Co Sligo won the cup for a third time, at Shandon Park in 2007, with a 3.5 to 1.5 victory over Banbridge,, three members of the team turned professional. It is unlikely that the same thing will happen, this time.
Christy Roche was once the darling of racegoers but now he is the hero of Cill Dara golf supporters as it was the former champion jockey who delivered the clinching blow to Athenry's hope of glory in the Jimmy Bruen Shield Foursomes final.
With the decider tied at two matches each, Roche and partner Paddy Hopkins ended their match all squire so a shootout was needed to decide whether the Shield was going east or west.
A jockey needs nerves of steel and down the years Roche demonstrated that he was made of stern stuff. He again demonstrated it in the Jimmy Bruen final as he holed the winning putt to take the trophy to Cill Dara, the first All-Ireland honour to arrive there since the club was founded in 1921.
So another season of AIG Cups and Shields finals has ended with just one trophy arriving in Ulster., Last year, Greenisland won the Junior Cup and this year Warrenpoint took home the Barton Shield.
AIG All-Ireland Cups & Shields finals at Carton House
Senior Cup – Co Sligo 3, Castle 2 (19th hole win).
Jimmy Bruen Shield – Cill Dara 3, Athenry 2 (19th hole win).
