AIG Pierce Purcell Shield
Named after Professor Purcell, one of Ireland's outstanding golf administrators, from the 1920s to 1960s, it was won first by Masserene, in 1970. Five foursome pairings represent each club, comprised of minimum individual handicaps of 11 and minimum combined of 25.
Galway, Muskerry, St Annes, Spanish Point and Warrenpoint have all won this shield more than once. "AIG Europe Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority of the United Kingdom, and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules"
2021 All Ireland Finals Murvagh
Having seen off Gort 3.5-1.5 in a hard-fought semifinal, the Co Clare side were clear cut winners on links terrain against the Ulster champions, who were 3-2 winners over a Cill Dara side featuring former Derby-winning jockey Christy Roche.
Managed by Tom Hehir, brothers Michael and Fergal Hehir got the first point on the board with a 7&6 win over Trevor Lamont and Billy McCauley before Mervin Hehir (another brother) and Cillian Duggan beat James Keag and Maurice Ferguson 7&5.
It then fell to Kevin Hynes and Niall Heeney to get the tiny nine-hole links over the line with a 4&2 win over Sam Clarke and Matthew Wilson in the top match.
“We put a lot of work in, and most of us came up a few times to Donegal in preparation,” Hynes said. “The wind helped us today, as we’re more used to links golf than Dunmurry.”
Captain Tom added: “Five of the team that won in 2013 and 2014 are still there, so there are nine new players on this team today, which is a fantastic achievement for a nine-hole club out off Spanish Point with limited resources but a huge heart.”
As for the hero of the hour, he added: “Kevin Hynes is a Garda in Shannon who worked on the frontline all through Covid. Yesterday against Gort, he played Brendan McDonagh, a Superintendent in Ennis and his regular fourball partner in the Garda Society.”
2020 Munster finals at Fermoy Golf Club
Pic: The Spanish Point Team -
Sean McMahon, Patrick Hogan, Les Seal, Fergal Hehir, and Mervyn Hehir after winning The AIG Pierce Purcell Shield Final at Fermoy. Picture: Golffile | Oisin Keniry
27th September: It may have taken an extra 24 hours, but there is a Munster Champion in the AIG Pierce Purcell Shield. Spanish Point and Kenmare could not be separated yesterday, after darkness forced the suspension of play in the deciding match in Fermoy. Tournament Director David Prendergast was left with no option after the deciding match was still level after four extra holes. At 8pm, the teams decided to resume in at 4pm on Sunday.
Spanish Point's Sean McMahon and Patrick Hogan faced Kenmare's Gerald O'Dwyer and Carlie Vaughan were back to recommence the titanic battle that started 25 hours previously. The match should have been settled on the 21st but Charlie Vaughan holed an excellent long putt across the tricky green. After that the par three 5th was halved in the darkness. On the resumption of play today, the two pairs halved the par five 6th hole and it was Spanish Point who won on the 7th, their sixth sudden death hole.
It's the first time in six years that the Clare club have won the Munster pennant and they will be hoping to repeat the provincial/national double of 2014 when they head for Donegal GC in October for the AIG Cups & Shields national finals.
2014 - All-Ireland Final at Carton House
Irish Golf Desk/Brian Keogh 14th September 2014 - Two in a Row for Spanish Point
Press Release - Clare Champion/Seamus Hayes - Spanish Point Retain Title
Press Release - Irish Independent/Liam Kelly - Talty & Hehir Seal Second Shield for Banner
Press Release - Clare People/Joe O Muircheartaigh - Double Dreamland
AIG Images from Final - Golf File
2014 Munster Final at Faithlegg
- Champions Once Again
Press Release - Clare Chamption/Seamus Hayes
- Spanish Point Retain Munster Pierce Purcell
Press Release - Clare People/Joe O Muircheartaigh
- Spanish Point Retain their Munster Crown
2014 North Munster Final at Castletroy
- Spanish Point March on to Victory
2013 All-Ireland Final
The Spanish Point team during for the AIG Shields Finals in Royal Tara Golf Club on Thursday 19th September 2013
- Point Man Talty sees hard work pay off
Press Release - Irish Independent/Liam Kelly
- Spanish Point Make their Mark
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