Ed's Blog from the Bog
Cead mile, mile failte, a hundred thousand welcomes to
this week's blog which comes to you from beautiful Blacksod on the wild
Atlantic way. It has been quite a week for sport here in Ireland with the
gallant warriors of Mayo and Kerry fighting out a dramatic draw in a match for
the ages, in Croke Park (update: we Mayo boys sorted you out in the end).
A Duel for
Jim and Me
Yes, indeed the Kerry v Mayo saga has thrown up a
fascinating side show. My guide, Jim Doyle, is probably the most famous Kerry
supporter in Ireland, while I have more than a passing (not the ball) interest
in the Mayo team.
Hence the daily "conflict" between golfer and
guide. God only knows where it will all end. However, I might ask our wonderful
friend, Kyoichi Sugiyama, in Japan to adjudicate.
O Rahilly Storms to
Victory at Gowran
Anybody who reads this blog will know that I have always believed
Paul O Rahilly to be one of the most talented golfers in the World of blind
golf. Paul's success at the recent British Open came as no surprise to his many
admirers.
However, his success at last Friday’s, Gowran Park Classic,
where he spread-eagled the entire opposition and romped home with a fabulous 38
pts, in difficult conditions, was one of his finest. The Category 2 laurels
rested where they belonged.
The Roode and O
Rahilly Show
Yes, indeed it really was the Roode and O Rahilly show at
Gowran Park, where the irrepressible 5th African, showed admirable
patience and awesome ability to navigate the wet underfoot conditions, and come
away with the Category 1 laurels. Wally's success at the Irish Open has seen
him back to top form again, and his 35 points at Gowran Park, was another step
on his return to the top echelons of blind golf.
Adrian
and Darragh Excel
There's something about bad weather which brings out the
best in our chairman, Adrian Downey. The Clondalkin Colossus and legendary
Dublin hurling star has enthralled many with his displays on the hurling fields
of Ireland, and he is gradually doing the very same on the golf courses of
Ireland. His 2nd place finish in Cat 1, showed that his great performance,
against Alan Morgan, in this year's Celtic Cup was no flash in the pan. And
what can we say about Darragh Stakelum? Darragh is one of the nicest people you
could ever hope to meet, but the Thurles Tornado has added a steeliness to his
golf that has seen him succeed at the Irish Open, and the fanatical Tipperary
supporter
put in another fabulous performance to snatch 2nd place
by a single point, in Cat 2, from Philip Bond another one of our golfers who
has improved enormously and who was also successful at the Irish Open.
They Also Serve Who
Only Stand and Wait
The above quotation could well have described your
captain's performance last Friday. The weather and a very sore hip, is my excuse,
but I should say that Dombey’s John O Grady, outhit and outplayed me for the 14
holes that
I survived, and John’s 25 points were a wonderful
achievement on such an awful day. Paul Mc Cormack endured another difficult day,
but our British Open champion, showed great spunk to come home with 27 shaving
not hit a golf ball for four weeks. It's great to see the doughty Donegal man
at so many of our classics. However, I was disappointed when Paul turned down
my offer to manage the Donegal team. The way I made the offer may have put him
off as I said, “Sure Paul a blind man would do a better job, with that Donegal
team". Sorry about that Paul.
Patrick
Jnr's Great Effort in Canada
Well done to Patrick Morgan Jnr and his dad Pat, for
representing us so well at the Canadian Open, in Hamilton, Ontario. Patrick had
two very good rounds over a course rated the 2nd most difficult in Canada, but
did not get into the prizes on this occasion. However, the good news is that
Patrick androphilia Bond, Adrian Downey, Paul O Rahilly, Carol Brill and our
guides will be leading an invasion of Austria, when we all head to Vienna in mid-September.
Karin Becker will be looking after us and we hope to land at least a podium
finish.
Captain's day at Royal Tara - Fri, Sept 22nd
Yes, indeed captain's day is only around the corner, and
this year's event will once again be at Royal Tara Gini the royal county of
Meath. We always get a great, big Cead mile failte from John O Byrne and the
wonderful committee at Royal Tara. The tournament will kick off at 11.00am and
dinner will be at 6.00pm. It will be an honour and a privilege to welcome all
of you.
Well it's time for me to say slan agus beannacht until the next time.
Hope to see you all at Royal Tara. And a big hello to all our friends around
the world receiving our blog.
Your Captain,
Ed Maguire