Roscommon school wins All-Ireland golf title

CBS Roscommon claimed the Irish Schools Senior Championship in Macroom this week, while St. Colman’s College, Fermoy, claimed the junior title.

Having seen off the challenge of local Cork side Colaiste Choilm from Ballincollig in the morning semi-final yesterday (Tuesday, August 18), CBS Roscommon came up against formidable opponents in the Royal Belfast Academical Institute in the final. The Ulster side had ousted Blackrock College from Dublin earlier in the day.

Cian O’Connor was the standout player for the Roscommon side in the semis, ending his match with Jack O’Keeffe on the 10th green with a monster 9&8 win.

That spurred the team on, with Thomas Higgins adding a second point, beating Stephen Riordan 2&1, and Fionn Hoare ending his match early against Luca Rickard with a 6&5 win.

In the afternoon final, Hoare put a point on the board early on for Roscommon, with another 6&5 win, this time over Michael Glasgow. Alan Connaughton added a second point with victory over George Craigan 4&2, while wins for Simon Walker over Darcy Hogg (19th) and Cian O’Connor (2&1) on Robert Craigan closed out the victory by four matches to one.

Mark Hodgkins, golf co-ordinator in CBS, was delighted afterwards and credited the success of the team to parents and Roscommon Golf Club.

“There’s a big sporting tradition in the school, between football and lots of other sports,” he said. “This has come on a long way in the last few years and obviously golf has become really successful in the school over the last four or five years. We have to credit the parents really and the local club for the success that the team has had.”

Earlier in the day, St. Colman’s College from Fermoy claimed the junior title on a score of 75 points, one clear of Garbally College, Ballinasloe.

*Pictured above, the CBS Roscommon squad that won the Irish Schools Senior Championship at Macroom Golf Club, Co. Cork. Photo: Golffile | Oisín Keniry