2008 competition information for
Dunmurry teams
Dunmurry win Belfast & District Cup
Dunmurry Clinch Emphatic B & D Victory
Golfers from Dunmurry clinched their first senior trophy thanks to a convincing win over Lurgan on Sunday. This magnificent cup was inaugurated in 1903 , two years before Dunmurry Golf Club was formed and had been keenly contested by many of the top amateur golfers in Ulster ever since. Previous individual names on the trophy include Norman Drew, Gareth McGimpsey and Rory McIlroy. Seven players play singles matches off scratch with home and away legs. The handicaps of the seven Dunmurry players ranged from plus one to two. The first round commenced in May and a total of 34 Clubs from the Greater Belfast area entered. Several teams were seeded by virtue of good performances last year so Dunmurry played their first match against Rockmount. Victories both home and away led to a fourth round encounter with Knock. Matches between these two teams have always proved to be tense encounters and so it proved this year, Dunmurry running out winners by a four point margin. In the semi final Dunmurry played close neighbours Lisburn who had disposed of a talented Banbridge side in their last round. The away leg saw Dunmurry win by a 4 ½ to 2 ½ margin meaning that three matches were required at home. These were duly earned and the final was arranged against Lurgan, who had won this prestigious trophy on four previous occasions.
The away leg at Lurgan resulted in a 5 to 2 win for Dunmurry and laid the foundation for the second leg. In a thrilling final played in bright sunshine at Dunmurry spectators were treated to a golfing exhibition. Glen McAuley shook hands with his opponent on the 12th green, this was quickly followed by Irish International Darren Crowe who won by 6and 5. Younger brother Stephen recorded an excellent victory over plus 3 handicapper Dave Sutton on the 16th to launch the celebrations. Ian Moore was all square playing the 15th, Fred Daly team captain Noel Murray was two up playing the 14th and 16 year old Paddy McGlone was 5 up on the 12th when their matches were called in. Derek MacLachlan was beaten by a talented opponent on the day but had contributed during the other rounds.
Team Captain Tony Cassidy was fulsome in his praise for his young team who had practiced earnestly since March. Dunmurry had been beaten in the 2000 final by Clandeboye and in the semi final last year by the eventual winners Cairndhu. “It is a wonderful achievement for the panel of players who showed tremendous fighting spirit throughout the competition, they are a credit to themselves, Dunmurry Golf Club and a vindication of the time and effort spent encouraging Juvenile golfers on our Club”. Tony accepted the Cup from Golfing Union of Ireland Official David McNeill and handed it over to Club Captain Robin Smythe for display in the trophy cabinet. Robin said “I hope this will be the catalyst to gain further silverware for a group of exceptionally talented individuals who have come together as a team to rival any Club in Ireland”
Patrick McGlone, Noel Murray, Nicky Lockhart, David NcNeill (GUI), Derek McLachlan, Tony Cassidy (Team Captain),
Andrew Pigott, Robin Smythe (Captain Dunmurry Golf Club), Stephen Crowe, Glenn McAuley, Darren Crowe. Ian Moore.