The 3rd staging of the Dublin Westmeath challenge took place in Lucan on Saturday. Both teams played 8 players and both Dublin teams were hoping to reverse the result in Rochfortbridge last August. The day was an emotional one as it was the 1st challenge since the passing of James Corcoran last December. The Westmeath stalwart was instrumental in the introduction of these two challenge matches and fought hard for the Inter & Junior ranks to have their own intercounty an idea that bore fruit in Athgarvan last August. James brother Davy was present in Lucan on Saturday he dashed to Lucan after watching the West Meath Under 16 playing in the Leinster Inter County in Portmarnock. The two junior teams battled it out for the James Corcoran Trophy.
On the course the Dublin Inters played superbly in the Scotch Foursomes and built themselves a healthy 12 shot lead. The junior battle was much tighter and the two sides were level after the scorch foursomes. In the Single, the Dublin Inters continued to play good course management in windy conditions refusing to allow their Westmeath counterparts to make in roads into their lead and their great play allowed them to increase their lead and they eventually completed the victory by 30 shots. A hugely impressive result for Charlie Egan’s charges. Dublin County Board Chairman Anthony Malone was on hand to present the Inter Captain Paul Griffin with the Dave Donnelly Memorial Trophy. The Junior event continued to be a tight affair and Westmeath led by 1 shot after 6 matches, but Dublin players prospered in the remaining matches and they too tasted victory by eight shots. It was the Juniors 1st time to record a win in the challenge. David Lee the Junior Captain received the James Corcoran Trophy from James brother Davy. It was an excellent win for the two Dublin teams and the perfect boost ahead of the Leinster Inter County next Saturday morning. We wish the Dublin teams the best of luck next weekend in Castletown and hope it will be a successful one. A big thanks to Lucan for hosting the challenge on Saturday.