Douglas Golf Club managers hail their winning teams after historic weekend for the club

Douglas team managers Deirdre O’Sullivan and Don Coughlan praised their teams as Douglas did the double-double in Belfast last weekend, winning two national titles.

“Stunned, delighted, proud, unbelievable,” was Deirdre O’Sullivan’s first response to Douglas’ three-peat in the Women’s Senior Cup. 

Douglas had two major battles in the quarter and semi-finals but they finished the final in style with a comprehensive win over Knock.

“I’m proud it’s a great day for Douglas, today these girls are bringing home the three in a row. How more could you be proud of them,” said the manager. 

“This morning was tough and you know, I think Lahinch gave us a good match and set up for this afternoon.

“The first day we played Portrush and this morning we played Lahinch and those matches were very tough. 

"We had to fight hard to get through I think the girls felt this was their time and they weren’t going to leave it behind them.”

With Clodagh Coughlan, Karen O’Neill, Aoife Ni Thuama and Shannen Burke all winning their third title, and 18-year-old Claudia O’Donoghue picking up her second win, O’Sullivan was very aware of the value of her experienced team members.

“Hugely because of the experience that these girls have had, they are also bringing along the younger girls like Hayley (Martinez) and Claudia and they are the future in Douglas. 

"But you need the experience as well so we’re in a good space in Douglas. We have the experience in Douglas but we also have the youth coming through so hopefully the future is bright for girls golf in Douglas.

“You never know what next year could bring,” added O’Sullivan, “but let’s celebrate and we’ll enjoy the three in a row.”

Keeping the faith

Douglas Men were in Barton Shield action on Wednesday and Thursday and manager Don Coughlan stuck with the same four players for the three rounds. 

His faith was repaid when Justin Dennehy and Peter O’Keeffe won the final after four tense play-off holes. 

Playing a quarter-final on Wednesday, and the semi-final and final on Thursday, the team powered through the three rounds to win the Barton Shield for the first time in over 35 years.

“They were just outstanding well under par actually and so we stuck with the same four. 

"It was a long day and a half, long long day yesterday and then you’re up again at the crack to get going again this morning.

“They were brilliant, they’re all great golfers but you know more than anything else they have to have the heart they have to have the soul to stick in it when it’s not going your way. 

"You know it’s great when it's going your way, when it’s going well, and that game was so tough for both sides. 

"Anything could have happened but we got the breaks, I feel for all Royal Dublin, it’s a tough way to go out.”

Don was particularly impressed with 15-year-old Justin Dennehy who showed great composure to hole the winning putt after 22 holes. 

“I was looking at him at the 18th and I just thought wow, this is the guy, he’s a magician. I said, this is what is going to happen, he’s going to hole it. 

"Now it took him another four holes but what a putt he got there. He’s some young fellow, he didn’t miss a shot in the last two hours. What a three iron he hit into 11 for eagle. 

"He’s outstanding. “They were all brilliant, Karl you know, at his age, he was outstanding yesterday and very good today. 

"Kyle McCarron is a fantastic guy and he was outstanding. And then you have Peter who was away until Monday night but boy did he turn up when it mattered. 

"He probably didn’t have his A game but that’s the sign of guy when you don’t have you’re a game and you know how to keep it going. He’s a tough man. 

"The four lads are heroes in Douglas now forevermore.”

In addition to the four Barton Shield players, Wayne O’Callaghan played in the Senior Cup and panel members Sean Deasy, Philip Elwood and Eoghan Power were also in Belfast.

And the team manager was also thinking back to 35 years ago when he was a player on the winning Douglas, and his friend Donal O’Herlihy who passed away earlier this summer. 

“I can’t get my buddy Hercs (Donal) out of my mind. He was manager in 1991 and low and behold I’m now I’m also manager of winning team with him. He was a great guy and a great friend of mine and he was minding us today.”