Double delight for Douglas in AIG Senior Cups

Douglas Captain Don Coughlan said it was probably the greatest day in the history of the club as they pulled off an historic double in the AIG Men’s and Women’s Senior Cups. Two 17-year-olds sunk the winning putts with Claudia O’Donoghue sealing back-to-back victories for the women while Barry O’Connell won the inaugural title for the men, both on the 18th green in Douglas. This is the first time any club has done this double since Royal Portrush in 1979. “We were dead and buried, six, seven holes ago,” said Coughlan. “We just kept saying, pick a hole, pick a hole, stay in the game and somehow those guys turned it around and they’ve created probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest day in the history of the club. “116 years since Douglas was formed and our first Senior Cup and the double with the ladies, an incredible double. “I can’t help but say it’s probably really deserved as well. Fantastic people, fantastic club and I can’t believe that we pulled it off.” Douglas defeated Belvoir Park on Saturday to set up a semi-final with County Louth, and with wins for Peter O’Keeffe (4&3), Sean Reddy (2&1) and Kyle McCarron (1up) they advanced to the final. Rosslare had a comprehensive 4-1 win over Moyola Park in the other final four tie but they found their Cork opponents just too strong. Peter O’Keeffe beat Mark Whelan on the 19th hole, and while Gary Collins (3&2) and Mark Shanahan (4&3) were both victorious, a win for Jack Murphy (2&1) and finally O’Connell sealed the title. Earlier in the day, reigning champions Douglas won another AIG Women’s Senior Cup, their first time going back-to-back since 1987.