Castlegregory make big noise as they beat Dooks - and the toads

Dook's club crest, a natterjack toad

Daily Mail
19 May 2009

IT was the most unusual and certainly the noisiest gallery in the history of the Irish Mail All-Ireland Trophy.

Hundreds, probably thousands of natterjack toads were on hand to celebrate Castlegregory’s third round victory over Dooks which takes them into the last 32 of the women’s competition.

Marian Kennedy, who with partner Mary T.Rael beat Dooks’ Catherine O’Brien and Ogie O’Sullivan 3&2, said: ‘From 5pm onward the natterjacks were in full voice all over the course, but it didn’t stop us.’

Natterjack toads are renowned as Europe's noisiest amphibians, the call of the male being audible over several kilometres. They are native to south west Ireland and a protected species on the Castlegregory course, situated between the scenic Lough Gill and Brandon Bay, at Stradbally, near Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Having the deafening sound as a backdrop gave no home advantage to Castlegregory’s Kennedy and Rael, however, as natterjacks are just as familiar at Dooks. In fact the club crest of the Dingle Bay course is a natterjack toad.

Marian Kennedy added: ‘For us it was an excellent result and a double celebration as it turned out to be Mary T’s birthday, though she didn’t tell us until it was over.

‘The Dooks ladies were good company, good golfers and it was a competitive game of golf. We had a good 'natter' after the game.’

The surviving 32 women’s teams now go into the fourth round draw of the Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy, the final of which is to be played at the spectacular Macreddin course, designed by Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley, in September.