The Irish Seniors nearly succumbed to a “Ryder Cup slip up” on the second day of their annual match against the Scottish Veterans for the Mary McKenna Perpetual Trophy at West Kilbride, Monday 15 April.
After Sunday’s fourballs, Ireland led 3½-½ but on day two faced a serious Scottish comeback winning just 3 of the 8 singles to narrowly win the match by one point. After losing the opening 4 matches, Ireland successfully defended the trophy with Pat Doran, Kate Evans and Sheena McElroy notching crucial victories.
FINAL RESULT: Ireland 6½ Scotland 5½ SINGLES – Ireland 3 Scotland 5 Mary Dowling lost to Lorna Bennett 2/1 Carol Wickham lost to May Hughes 2up Gertie McMullen lost to Mary Smith 3/2 Suzanne Corcoran lost to Fiona de Vries 4/3 Pat Doran beat Kathleen Sutherland 2/1 Kate Evans beat Alex Glennie 1up Sheena McElroy beat Jane Finnie 6/5 Helen Jones lost to Alison Bartlett 2up
FOURBALLS: Ireland 3½ Scotland ½ Sheena McElroy (Grange) & Carol Wickham (Laytown and Bettystown) beat Kathleen Sutherland (North) & Mary Smith (Highland) 5/4 Helen Jones (Royal Portrush) & Pat Doran (Donabate) beat May Hughes (West) & Jane Finnie (West) 2/1 Gertie McMullen (The Island) & Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) beat Alex Glennie (West) & Alison Bartlett ( Highland) 4/3 Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) & Mary Dowling (Mallow) halved with Lorna Bennett (Midlands) & Fiona de Vries (Midlands)