Mayo players help Connacht secure Boys' Under 14 Interprovincial championships
Connacht were crowned winners of the Boys’ Under 14 Interprovincial Championship in golf at Ballykisteen today, writes Valerie Clancy.
The team had heavy representation from Mayo, with both John William Burke (Ballyhaunis) and Max Humphreys (Ballinrobe) featuring.
The two-day event saw the four provinces compete against each other, with one foursomes match followed by four singles matches.
Connacht were crowned champions after winning all three of their matches against Ulster, Munster and Leinster. They concluded their week with a 3-2 victory over Leinster today to win for the first time in eight years.
Connacht manager Robert Fitzpatrick (Co. Sligo), alongside captain Michael Heaney (Oughterard), was delighted for his team.
“It's just fantastic,” said Robert. “I’m just so happy for the boys. They are a special group of young boys and I’m obviously very happy for their parents who put in so much work, as do all the parents for all of the boys especially the Under 14s, and it’s great. What's lovely about it is every county of Connacht is represented. They’re just a wonderful bunch of young boys.”
As well as John William and Max, the team featured Niall Conneely (Ballinasloe), Patrick Martin (Carrick-on-Shannon), Dylan Smyth (Galway Bay) and Patrick Tuffy (Strandhill).
Connacht last won the boys’ Under 14 interpros in 2015 and they will finally be able to bring the trophy back to the province.
“It means an awful lot for Connacht. We are low in numbers, but we’re big in heart. It’s a special moment and one we’re going to treasure for a long year. These are memories that I said to the boys that they will have forever,” said Robert.
Leinster captured the boys’ Under 16 title in what ended up being a tight finish coming down the stretch. Leinster were on top of the leaderboard heading into the final day and they just got over the line with a 3-2 victory over Ulster after having four matches decided on the 18th.
The Connacht Under 16 boys team featured Owen Kelly of Castlebar GC and was managed by Shane Freeman of Ballyhaunis GC.