Kilrea elated as O'Donnell chips in to clinch a place in the finals

Kilrea's Catherine O'Donnell & Sandra Millar (in red)

Daily Mail
23 Aug 2009

MODEST Kilrea put it down to the luck of the draw, but the truth is the tiny club from Co.Londonderry has more than earned their place in next month’s final of the Irish Mail All-Ireland Fourball Trophy.

The nine-hole club has one of the smallest lady sections in Ireland but that does not stopping them having big ambitions. Sandra Millar, who with partner Catherine O’Donnell beat Castlerock’s Hilary Mullan and Pamela Telford by two holes, said: ‘Ours is a small club with about 55 lady members and we enter every competition we can to see how we are getting on.’

Civil Servant Millar and businesswoman O’Donnell clinched the match against Castlerock when O’Donnell chipped in for a birdie at the 13th to open up a lead which they never lost.

It has been a tough six rounds for Kilrea with three of the first four matches being away from home.

O’Donnell said: “When news came through that the sixth round was on home turf we were elated. Castlerock is a fine links but totally different to our parkland course. We knew that if we were to have any chance against the low Castlerock handicappers, the match would have to be at home.

“This has been the most amazing year for our club. Every little win by any of our members is celebrated and valued greatly by everyone. It was inspiring to have the support of so many of our members at the match. With their encouragement Sandra and I have seen our game improve month on month as we have had to raise our standards.”

The finals of the inaugural Irish Mail Trophy will be played at the Paul McGinley designed Macreddin Village course on Setpember 6/7.