Success for Cork golfers Cian McDonnell, Justin Dennehy and Karl Bornemann

There were three good wins for Cork golfers last week, spanning different ages and geographies.

The age and geographic gap was notable with winners ranging in age from teenagers to the 1960s, and wins in three different places. Closest to home, Cian McDonnell won the Kerry Boys, Karl Bornemann won the Irish Veterans Close and Justin Dennehy won the Scottish U14.

Justin Dennehy has won his fair share of junior golf competitions and he was back on the winning trail last week when the 13-year-old won the inaugural Scottish U14 Open Championship.

The youngster posted rounds of 68 and 73 at Dunfermline Golf Club for a total of -3 and the win. Dennehy won by a single shot from Austria’s Sebastian Aigner who signed for in the 36-hole event.

As well as playing at Douglas Golf Club, Dennehy is also a member at Dunbar, North Berwick and Kilspindie in East Lothian. Dennehy was thrilled to lift the trophy watched by mum Olivia and dad Tim.

“I’m happy to win and I just knew that having had a lead in the first round I had to keep my foot on the gas,” said Dennehy after winning the title.

“I wasn’t really aware of the scores as I went around but I knew I had to keep going as there are a lot of birdies to be had in the final few holes. I love coming to Scotland and have been doing it since I was about eight.

“It’s like Ireland and I just like playing golf here. I played in the U14 boys’ event at Dunblane last year but didn’t really have my game, so it’s great to win this time.”

Monkstown’s Cian McDonnell won the Kerry Boys in Ballybunion last week, surviving four days of golf to win the prestigious title.

Weather played its part on the opening day and Cian shot 90 in really difficult conditions on Tuesday when only four players broke 80.

He bounced back with a two-under-par 70 on Wednesday, an impressive 20-shot difference. The Monkstown teenager was four under for his last four holes in an impressive finish.

Cian had two good wins on Thursday to make it to the final four. In Friday morning’s semi-final, he found himself 3 down after 6 but got back to level on the 11th.

He went ahead on 12th and maintained it to make the final. In the final, he played Gabriel Considine of Lahinch.

After early exchanges back and forth, Cian went 1 up after 6 and led from there, a short birdie putt on the 16th sealed the win.

“This is the biggest win I’ve had and it feels fabulous, a great way to finish the season,” said Cian after his win. 

The first day was unbelievably challenging and I probably got every bad shot out of the way.

“After that, I seemed to find a rhythm and was very consistent, shooting 70 in round two and then under or close to par in all of my matches”

The Monkstown golfer was confident as the match neared the end and he finished off in style.

“I was very calm throughout the match and felt in control. I had played the 16th really well in every round so to hit it close again and won with a birdie was very satisfying”

SECOND

Karl Bornemann secured his second win of the season, the Munster Seniors champion travelled to Kilkeel Golf Club near Newry and while he missed out on a place in the Seniors Close matchplay, he did qualify for the veterans’ semi-final Bornemann had a comprehensive win over Hugh Smyth in the semi-finals. 

His opponent David Brabazon was taken to extra holes by Patrick Madigan. In what was another epic final, Bornemann finally ground out a 3&2 victory.

Irish Seniors Open champion Shane Kenneally had hopes of a seniors double after an opening round of 69 saw him lead the stroke play stage. He finished the 36-hole qualifier in second place, and he won his opening match against Noel Crawford to reach the quarter-finals. The Kinsale golfer faced former International Jim Carvill in the second round but it was the Banbridge man who triumphed with a win on the 17th.

Castlemartyr’s John O’Brien also booked a place in the final 16 for the matchplay, his opening rounds of 75 and 74 saw him finish tied for fifth place. O’Brien beat Paddy Gribben to book a place in the final eight but also lost out, finalist Eddie McCormack beat O’Brien on the 17th.