| Venue: | Portmarnock GC |
| Date: | Sunday 28th November 2021 |
| Match Captain DUGS: | Darragh Garrahy |
| Match Captain Opposition: | Cian Gilmore |
| Match Format: | 36 hole scratch foursomes matchplay |
Morning foursomes
1. Fran Quilty & David Lawlor vs Alex Flynn & Eoin O’Sullivan 3/2
1. Fran Quilty & David Lawlor vs Alex Flynn & Eoin O’Sullivan 3/2
2. Barry Conway & Alan Hopkins vs Niamh O Dywer & Gavin Hoey 2/1
3. Darragh Garrahy & Harry McHugh 7/6 vs Adam Hussey & Karl Byrne
4. Ian Smith & Johnny O’Driscoll 5/4 vs Cian Gilmore & Pierce O’Toole
2-2
Afternoon foursomes (12 noon):
1. Fran Quilty & Alan Hopkins 4/2 vs Gavin Hoey & Karl Byrne
2. David Lawlor & Harry McHugh vs Eoin O’Sullivan & Alex Flynn 1 up
3. Darragh Garrahy & Ian Smith vs Niamh O’Dwyer & Cian Gilmore 1 up
4. Barry Conway & Johnny O’Driscoll 4/3 vs Pierce O’Toole & Adam Hussey
March result: 4-4
Match report
Planning is part of the fun of a golf fixture and the 2021 iteration of the Weir Cup faced issues such as Rory McIlroy style 5-a-side soccer injuries for star DUGS players, late covid positive tests and a forecast for frost & ice so severe it looked like 18 holes only would be the order of the day. However, both teams and all involved faced down these issues with equanimity and were rewarded when this weather never materialised – 36 holes of scratch foursomes was played in a competitive spirit, with injured star Darragh Coghlan out offering tea and support to the DUGS players.
Participants faced the cold brisk weather with alacrity in the morning before retiring to ponder a drawn session at lunch. We would have loved to dress up for lunch but look forward to that hopefully returning in 2022.
The DUGS match manager has been plotting and scheming how to overcome the students for several years now. Drawn matches in the last two games have further whetted the appetite and it seemed that the beautiful old piece of silverware was within touching distance for the grads, if they could keep their legs in the afternoon.
The magic of youth saw a forty-footer held on the final green in game two in the afternoon, for a 1 up DUGC win. With games one and four both going the way of DUGS it seemed a parallel universe was about to be entered, one in which the DUGS would claim the match. Portmarnock’s 1st ever Lady University member, Niamh O’Dwyer, had other ideas and along with club Captain Cian Gilmore, kept her cool for a win on 18 and an overall tie in the match at 4-4.
Three draws in a row now, with the regular participants from DUGS enjoying it more and more each year- good golf at a good pace played over the wonderful links of Portmarnock, interspersed with a hospitable lunch with the DUGS of the future. The fixture is in a good place and will go from strength to strength under new match manager Johnny O’Driscoll.
Many thanks to Portmarnock, as always, for having us for a golfing treat.