Rossmore Cup

ARDGLASS WIN ROSSMORE CUP
 
Ardglass, in 2010, won the prestigious Rossmore Cup for the first time in their history with a well-merited victory over Mannan Castle.
 
After a series of nail-biting finishes in the early rounds against Ashfield, Downpatrick, Cloverhill and Omagh, captain Danny Branniff and his squad were expecting more of the same going into the two-legged final against their County Monaghan opponents.
 
As it turned out, Ardglass played themselves into a superb position in the first leg, when they took a 4-0 lead. All four games were very tight in the early stages, but eventually home advantage told. Mark Bohill and Philip Connor led the way with a 1 hole victory, and they were followed home by the pairings of John Rice and Gerry Boyle, Eamon Masterson and Fintan Sharvin, and Andy Smyth and Philip Laird. With the three Ardglass partnerships each winning by 3 and 2, the seasiders held a healthy 10 hole lead in addition to their four matches.
 
Going into the second leg at Mannan Castle, Ardglass only required one halved match in order to clinch the trophy. Captain Danny Branniff made several changes, and the top match saw Mark Bohill paired with Philip Fitzsimons. Despite a battling performance this partnership were edged out 2 and 1. However in the second match the pairing of Andy Smyth and Philip Laird put in an inspired effort and with two holes left to play had ensured the half needed to clinch a famous victory for Ardglass. With the overall result assured, the remaining two games were called in, but in both matches the Ardglass pairs of Gerry Boyle and Maurice Conlon, and Eamon Masterson with Senan Sharvin were already up on their opponents.
 
Ardglass captain Danny Branniff paid tribute to the magnificent performance of his 15-man squad. Stating that it was a real team effort, Danny also mentioned the valuable contributions of Alan Micklethwaite, Jesse Ray McManus and Sean Guinnane in the earlier rounds of the competition.