The Rossmore Golf Club Pierce Purcell team wrote themselves into the history books of the club when they were crowned Ulster champions on Sunday last at Balmoral Golf Club following a well deserved victory over Armagh Golf Club. The Pierce Purcell is a National Competition with the All Ireland finals fixed for Royal Tara Golf Club in mid Septemebr. The Rossmore team captained by Eugene McGinnity consists of 5 pairs playing matchplay foursomes format. Beaten in the Ulster final last year the team under Eugene’s leadership returned this year determined to atone for missing out on victory in 2012. From checking the record books it would appear that this is a historic achievement as this is the first Provencial pennant for a National competition achieved by the mens section at Rossmore.
Rossmore came through the qualifying round at Clones and them played 5 matchplay rounds before claiming the Ulster title. Captain Eugene McGinnity worked off a small but very dedicated panel throughout the competition. The Rossmore line up on Sunday was Pauric Trappe and Brendan Casey, Michael McQuaid and Darren Connolly, John Heffernan and Alan Finnegan, Adrian Trappe and Dermot McMahon with the final pair of John McKenna and Malachy Deery. Given the hectic schedule of the finals day Eugene McGinnity as captain replaced himself on the team with Alan Finnegan and the other squad member is Gerry McMahon.
The final produced some high quality golf with the early exchanges very much looking like Armagh were in the driving seat and would be hard to defeat. The frist two matches saw each side record a victory but when M McQuaid and D Connolly romped to victory Rossmore were now fighting back. Soon afterwards Adrian Trappe and Dermot McMahon added another point to the team score. John McKenna and Malachy Deery produced top quality golf on the back nine to claim victory and secure outright victory for Rossmore.
Team Captain Eugene McGinnity was presented with the winning Ulster title by the Chairman of the GUI Ulster Branch.
The victorious team returned to Rossmore clubhouse where the team and members celebrated their famous victory.
Rossmore now face The Munster champions Spanish Point from Clare in the All Ireland semi final at Royal Tara Golf Club on the 19th Sept. It will take a very good team to defeat this experienced Rossmore outfit and with Paddy Power offering good odds on Rossmore claiming the All Ireland title one could be tempted to have a flutter.