Dunfanaghy Overcome Royal Portrush

​Dunfanaghy Overcome Royal Portrush in the Jimmy Bruen.

Captained by Ger Dalton, a ten man team took up the challenge of facing Royal Portrush in the foursome format. 2 teams at home and three away at the formidable open championship course.

On paper Dalton's troops were up against it, made worse by the ever dependable Peader Curran's late withdrawal. 6 players travelled to the famous course Shaun Cannon/Billy Griffin, Bill McCallion/Sean Quinn and Captain Dalton and Brendan Kelly with a strong home side of Brian Dolan/John McNulty and Keelan McGee and Oisin Langan given the task of winning 2 points at home by captain Dalton.

Portrush took the early advantage in almost all matches home and away, and would cement their advantage with two early wins at home despite some fantastic golf from both pairings of Cannon/Griffin and Dalton/Kelly they both came up short. A quick call back to base brought brighter news that both home pairings were going well, and would go on to win both matches, a fantastic achievement against formidable opponents.
2 -2 with one match left, McCallion and Quinn were 2 down with 4 to play and under pressure. However, with a win at 15 and 16 the match was back to all square with 2 to play.
A half at 17 brought the match up the 18th, advantage Portrush as their drive landed 60yds in advance of the Dunfanaghy men. McCallion hit an exceptional 3 wood 30 ft. from the pin, this brought the best out of Port rush men, playing a difficult downhill chip from a dodgy lie into 12 ft. Quinn had a chance to win the match however came up 12 ft. short. The next putts were missed...hole halved! The match would be decided on the 19th.
The Dunfanaghy men had the honour and McCallion made the most of it with the drive of the day, splitting the fairway. This put pressure on their opponents, who drove the ball out of bounds on the left, a long walk back to the tee ensued for them and unfortunately the second drive also marginally passed the out of bounds post. With their opponents now having played 5 Dunfanaghy were in control and when Quinn hit an 8 iron on the green, the the Royal Portrush men gracefully conceded the match. 3-2 to Dunfanaghy, a fantastic achievement from everyone concerned.
Credit to all players from Royal Portrush who were gentlemen and fantastic opponents on and off the course. The courtesy shown to us during the practice round and on match day was second to none.
Captain Dalton and his team move forward into the next round where they will meet City of Derry Golf Club.