The Pierce Purcell Shield and pennant occupied pride of place as cele-brations continued into the early hours at Rathgonan, home of Newcastle West Golf Club on Friday night. Earlier in the day the club captured one of the most prestigious pieces of silverware in Irish amateur golf at Kinsale Golf Club.
This is the club’s first major success at national level and came 74 years to the day since a competition was first held in the fledgling club in 1938.
The team, under captain Michael O’Connor and his assistant Frank Moore, beat one the country’s oldest clubs, Royal Dublin 4-1 in the semi-final before going on to defeat Connacht representatives Gort 4-2 in the final.
“When we won the Munster, elation and joy abounded. When we won the All-Ireland there was a sense of relief and it showed as there were tears in the eyes of every one of the 16 lads,” a delighted Michael O’Connor told the Weekly Observer. “I would like to thank everybody in Newcastle West Golf Club, the Club President Joe White, Club Captain John Devine and Vice Captain, Paddy Lane for their unstinting support,” the Pierce Purcell winning captain said.
Club Captain John Devine put the win in context. “It is a national competition for all 32 counties and en route to victory we beat five previous winners of the competition. On pre-senting the Pierce Purcell Shield, the President of the G.U.I. noted that it had the biggest participation in an amateur golf competition in Europe.”
Mr. Devine went on to pay tribute to those involved in the club’s first national success. “Everybody connected with the team gave outstanding com-mitment throughout the year. Only three had previously played in the competition.”
It was a memorable three days for Michael O’Connor who on Sunday coached St. Kieran’s to victory in the West Limerick Junior A Hurling Championship Final.