Drama as Castle's Smith & Jones are caught up in shooting incident
Daily Mail
22 Mar 2009
CASTLE’S Siobhan Smith and Martha Jones found themselves unexpectedly tangled up in a shooting incident, after they played their very first match in the brand new Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy.
The pair from the south Dublin club were playing at Westmanstown, near Lucan, and walked off the course after a 5&4 first round victory intending to celebrate, only to discover the car park sealed off and surrounded by ambulances and garda cars.
‘We are regularly called “Smith & Jones” (after the 1970s made-for-TV western “Alias Smith & Jones”) but we did not expect to get so close to this kind of action,’ said Siobhan Smith.
A man is recovering in hospital after he was wounded in the gun attack at the Garda Sports and Social Club. A second man was arrested at the scene after two off-duty gardaí tackled him. Three children were caught up in the incident and two weapons were recovered at the scene. It was believed to be a kidnapping attempt.
‘Truthfully when we were out on the course we were not aware what had happened and we had a very pleasant match. While we were out on the course we saw helicopters buzzing around the car park but had no idea what it was all about. Then because the car park was cordoned off, we had to wait three hours before we could get to our car. We certainly did not expect our very first match in the Irish Mail Trophy to finish like that’ added Siobhan..
Around Ireland there was an enthusiastic welcome to the Irish Mail Trophy, which builds on the history of two successful tournaments, The Mail on Sunday Classic and the Daily Mail Foursomes. The final is to be played at the spectacular Macreddin course, designed by Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley, in September.
Margaret Baird, from Royal Portrush, was among the many golfers who applauded the new competition. After partnering Joan McNeill to a 2&1 victory over Portstewart’s Ina Brattum and Rosemary Miller, she said: ‘We really enjoyed our first match. It was a wonderful start and we all loved the format of fourball betterball.’ |
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