The National Inter Counties took place on the 7th/8th Sept. in Hillview Clonmel Co Tipperary. Both teams were confident of producing good performances and gaining a podium finish.The ladies were first out to test the new format introduced this year.Their championship was 36 scotch foursomes on Saturday and 18 holes singles on Sunday.After the foursomes our ladies led by 1 shot from the their main rivals Kildare with the Tipperary ladies in 3rd spot.The Sunday singles were to prove vital and provide great excitement on the tricky Hillview course.The three leaders were out together and with 5 scores out of 6 to count in the singles it was proving hard to know who was leading.The Tipp ladies were making great strides over the first 9 and continued this trend on the back 9.When the final group finished and the dust settled Tipp’s charge had brought them victory.Their winning margin was 4 shots over Kildare and a gallant Dublin team. Kildare pipped them by their 6th card.A great effort by our ladies who gave it their all and we look forward to Tullamore next year.
The gents were next to play and also played under a new format.That comprised of 18 foursomes,18 scotch foursomes and 36 hole singles.After a great first 9 we gave away a few shots on the back 9 in the foursomes but in the scotch we bounced back to stay in contention. The Cork machine wasn’t firing on all cylinders but still led by 4 shots when the days play was over.The Dublin team were in 2nd spot and Kerry 3rd 1 shot further back.When the 3 teams set out on their singles it was game on ,however despite some great play in the first 18 we slipped back 9 behind Cork.With Tipp and Limerick gaining ground we were back to 5th spot.The final 18 saw Cork stride away and finally nail a deserved victory.The Tipp team secured 2nd place and the Dublin team battled to the end and a much improved 2nd round gained them 3rd spot for the second year in a row.
Well done to both teams both on their efforts over the past few weeks you done yourselves and your county proud roll on next year.Also congratulations to the Tipperary and Cork teams on their wins.The Hillview club deserve special mention on providing a challenging course and catering for the players and supporters alike.Both the selectors and players would like to thank all who traveled to support both our teams over the weekend.Finally to the NEC on their hard work over the weekend the championship was exciting and back to its Premier status take a bow well done.