Malahide Golf Club Wins the Best Cup

‘After a gap of 18 years the Best Cup returned to its spiritual home, Malahide Golf Club on 3rd September 2011 following a victory over Hazel Grove in the final by the narrowest of margins. The Best Cup is run by Malahide members Paddy Conlon and Phil Ahearne who took over from the founder of the competition ‘Bertie Best’, hence the name, and the competition is now in its 51st season. The nucleus of the 2011 victorious team was chosen from the Friday Nighters and almost half of the panel of 16 had never played Inter Club golf previously. This in itself is a great tribute to Team Manager, Thomas Magner who obviously recognised the talent at his disposal and wasn’t afraid to ‘blood’ his young lions into action despite their inexperience. A bye in round one =was followed by victories over Donabate, Ashbourne,
Craddockstown and Beaverstown before reaching a 2 legged final. Thomas opted to play the away leg first and many people (outside the team) felt they had an impossible task when they returned 4 to 1 down after the journey to Jobstown. However, the team dug deep at home and, following the matches, the tie was squared at 5 matches a piece. This resulted in a sudden death match down the 19th hole and Malahide,  represented by Gary King and Leo Finlay, went on to secure the title and a 2011 pennant. The Team would like to thank all of those who supported it, particularly the ball spotters and the caddies, notably Bryan "13 late" Wallace, Sean "Only do 13" McCrory, Paul "play like 13" Tomsett, Clive "wish I could be 13" Brooks
and Mick "real 13" Gaffney. Thanks also to Lady Captain Pauline Duddy and Captain Pat Power for their presence at both venues during the final. Congratulations to Thomas and his panel on a superb victory’.