Douglas deliver third AIG Women's Senior Cup crown in a row

Douglas secured a third AIG Women’s Senior Cup title in a row for just the second time in the club’s history, while Warrenpoint ended an 18-year wait for AIG Men’s Senior Cup glory at Shandon Park.

Clodagh Coughlan, Aoife Ni Thuama, Shannon Burke and Karen O’Neill were all part of Douglas’ winning side when their treble run began in 2024, and each played a vital role in their success once again.

Deirdre O’Sullivan’s side defeated Knock 3.5-1.5 on a rain-soaked afternoon in East Belfast, with Claudia O’Donoghue, who sealed victory in the 2025 final, once again providing the decisive point for the Cork outfit.

Douglas had battled past Royal Portrush in Friday’s quarter-final, with Ni Thuama securing the vital point on the 22nd hole against Naoimh Quigg. Her victory set up a semi-final against Lahinch on Saturday morning in a repeat of last year’s final.

As in 2025, the tie went down to the wire, with Ni Thuama once again called upon to seal victory in a playoff as she defeated Niamh O’Dwyer on the 20th hole.

A young Knock team awaited in the final, having impressed in victories over Royal Tara and Galway to progress, but as the rain began to fall on Shandon Park, they came up against a Douglas side hungry for a third consecutive title.

Burke was first to taste victory for Douglas with a 7&6 win over Caitlin Ross before Coughlan put O’Sullivan’s side on the verge of victory with a 6&4 result.

HISTORIC

O’Donoghue once again provided the winning point as she defeated Annie Armstrong 5&4 to seal a third consecutive Women’s Senior Cup title for Douglas, their first three-in-a-row since 1987.

“Stunned, delighted, proud,” said O’Sullivan. “It’s a great day for Douglas. Our Barton Shield team won during the week and today these girls are bringing home the three-in-a-row. 

“The girls felt this was their time and they weren’t going to leave it behind them.

We’re in a good space in Douglas, we have experience, but we also have youth coming through so hopefully the future is very bright.” 

County Louth are the only team to have ever won four Women’s Senior Cup titles in a row, winning from 1946 to 1949, and while O’Sullivan is not ruling out the possibility of joining them on four next year, she is happy to let her team savour a famous third victory for now.

“You never know what next year could bring,” said O’Sullivan.

“But let’s enjoy tonight, let’s celebrate and we’ll enjoy the three in a row.” 

In the AIG Men’s Senior Cup final, Warrenpoint came through a tight encounter with Carton House to claim their first Senior Cup title since 2008.

The Ulster North champions had produced some outstanding performances against The Island and Co. Sligo to reach the final, while Carton House booked their place with wins against Castletroy and Lisburn.

Kenny’s side went behind early on as Darragh Flynn defeated Stephen Coulter 5&4 before Paul Reavey (2up) and Senior Cup debutant Sean Ryan (2&1) sent the 2025 Barton Shield champions ahead.

The tie was level at 2-2 after Paul O’Hanlon picked up the Kildare side’s second point of the afternoon with a 2&1 win over Colm Campbell, meaning the title would be decided in the bottom match between Rian Carvill and David Shiel.

The match went all the way to the 16th before Carvill sank the winning putt, much to the delight of team captain Kenny, who himself won his first Senior Cup title at the third time of asking.

“Absolutely out of this world,” said Kenny.

“Fantastic achievement for this team. It’s fantastic for Warrenpoint Golf Club. The last time we won was back in 2008, we have been beaten in the last two finals we played in, my third time as captain so third time lucky for me.

“The guys stood up and for Rian to come and win in 16 to get us over the line was just fantastic. Senior Cup to me is always the big one, Barton Shield is fantastic to win but Senior Cup is the crème de la crème in amateur club golf so it’s fantastic.”