No backing out by courageous Catherine after injury strikes

Kilrea's Catherine O'Donnell & Sandra Millar

Daily Mail
23 Jun 2009

THE Kilrea pair of Sandra Millar and Catherine O’Donnell had to cope with a medical scare to reach the last 16 of the Irish Mail All-Ireland Trophy.

On the 16th tee against Carrickfergus, O’Donnell bent down to get a tee out of her golf bag and a bulging disc from an old sporting injury moved in her back.

She had difficulty standing up, but gallantly continued to play, hitting a dream drive on the 17th hole to set up the par which gave Kilrea a one hole lead, which they held on to for victory.

Kilrea’s Sandra Millar said: ‘Catherine could hardly walk, never mind hitting the ball. But hardened campaigner that she is, she struggled on. The 17th was really now-or-never for us and fortunately we managed to rise to the challenge.’

The match at Carrickfergus was Kilrea’s third away tie in four rounds, the Londonderry club having already won at Galgorm Castle and Bushfoot.

Millar said: ‘It was a long hard slog and we were extremely pleased to take the honours. We’re delighted to have reached the last 16, but we are really hoping for a home draw in the next round. And that Catherine has fully recovered!

‘Kilrea is a very small club with just 55 lady members and this has been a great competition for us this year. We would thoroughly recommend any club that hasn’t entered to take part next year,’ she added.