This coming Sunday 28th March sees the final of the Tipperary Pitch & Putt Spring League Championship take place at Larkspur Park between Riverdale and Lakeside at 09.30am sharp.
Lakeside the reigning champions who qualified by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the league stage and they are extremely anxious to show that last year’s was not just a flash in the pan. Myles McMorrow and Francis Ryan are joint Captains of this team and they have put out the strongest team available to them. The Senior grade is led by Paul O’Brien whose experience in big time competitions could prove to be an invaluable asset, his form is just right for this competition. Ronan Loughnane is showing fantastic form at present and will be eager to stamp his authority in the senior ranks. Last in the Senior grade for Lakeside is the mercurial Davy Morrissey, if his game hits the right note one has to think he will be a very tough opponent to beat. Lakeside Intermediates are a very strong trio, Brian Cahill will be hoping to emulate his performance of last year when his putt on the 16th hole ensured victory for Lakeside. Alan Maher is having an in and out season thus far but one thing about Alan he will be very well prepared come Sunday morning. Experience they say is vital in finals like this, Patrick Kennedy is one that comes to mind here, his battling qualities and determination will be very much to the fore on Sunday and he also is playing fantastically well at the moment. Lakeside have two very strong Junior players in Anthony Maher and Martha O’Brien. Anthony has been in very good form this year, another player who was part of the team last year will be hoping for a repeat performance. Last but by no means least, Martha O’Brien, she has brought a real consistency element in her game this year. A proven Matchplay Champion at Juvenile level she offers a lot to this team in her array of skills but also the fact that she has incredible determination and will not be one bit overawed by the experience that awaits her.
The Riverdale team qualified for the final very easily this year, their players clearly out to set a marker, they want to reclaim this covetous title. In the 80’s & 90’s Riverdale were untouchable in this competition but haven’t had things their own way since the turn of the Millennium. From speaking with their Captain Con Clear Snr this week, he is very anxious to have the glory days return to the famous Nenagh venue. They will be led by recent Irish International Panellist John O’Meara who is in devastating form this year. Expect O’Meara to be very focused on the job at hand and I have no doubt he will be very prepared for this final. The fire is still burning very brightly in Sean Minogue, a veteran of all the Riverdale triumphs over the years, his never say die attitude is always admired but it never overshadows his exceptional talent. Stephen Shoer is next to fall in line, this man oozes talent but in recent weeks his form has dipped slightly so expect to see a rejuvenated Stephen on Sunday. The new kid on the block Simon Ryan is now finding his feet and he has been a real addition to the Riverdale Intermediates, he will be very hard to beat on Sunday. Damien Long, I expect to be on the team, a player who could play at a very high standard if desired and could well prove to be invincible on Sunday, recent form suggests this. Then we have the enigmatic PJ Ryan, a player making his return to the Spring League Final, a proven winner in the past, he could be the key that unlocks the door for Riverdale. Finally we have Jim Molloy and John Minogue to make up the team of Riverdale. The charismatic Jim is now playing very steady and he will prove to be a very valuable member of this team, his English pit-bull determination will be one to watch on Sunday. John Minogue, a winner twice already in the league stages has seen his form dip slightly but knowing the stock he comes from, he will have all his flaws remedied for Sunday morning, this player could have a big say in Riverdale’s hopes.
Overall the teams are very well balanced. Both are very much spread with experience and the exuberance of youth, which is a very good combination. The foursome matches will be incredibly tight as it is a tough format to play but the singles will be where the tie is won and lost. Last year, the smallest of margins separated the sides at the end and this year I can’t see it being any different. The quality that will be on store on Sunday will be immense, the rivalry intense and the tension sometimes unbearable but this is what we expect when this two great clubs meet.
