Glory for Galwey at Golf Classic

Former Munster Captain and rugby legend Mick Galwey and the Munster Sports Travel team took the top honours at Fota Island Resort on Monday 1st September at the 2008 Munster Rugby Golf Classic.

Galwey, Paddy Baird and Niall Naughton made up the winning team, with the trio finishing on
54 points, defeating the second place team of Whelan’s Contracts on a count back.

The winning team were presented with their prizes by Nicholas Comyn, President of the Munster Branch IRFU, and sponsors Pat Roche and Robert Nolan of Canyon International Properties/Oceanico Group.  Munster stars Denis Leamy and Denis Hurley were also in attendance, lending their support to one of the highlights of the Munster Rugby calendar.  The three winners will enjoy a 5 star Luxury 3 night break to the Algarve, to include return flights, 3 nights 4/5 star accommodation, as well as golf and a trip on the Oceanico Sunseeker motor cruiser, courtesy of Canyon International Property Ltd. and the Oceanico Group.

The Whelan’s Contracts team took second place, pictured with Munster Branch President Nicholas Comyn, Munster’s Denis Leamy and Pat Roche of Canyon International Properties Ltd.

Now in its eighth year, the Classic returned to the magnificent setting of Fota Island Resort, the unbroken record of fine weather for the event continued with golfers enjoying the spectacular course in glorious weather conditions.  Participants were also able to get up close and personal with Munster’s most prized possession- the Heineken Cup- with team photographs taken on the first tee.   

All competitors were automatically entered into a draw for a trip for two to the Rugby Hall of Fame Golf Week in Islantilla in Spain (5th-12th Oct 2008), which was kindly sponsored by Munster Sports Travel.  Alan Maher, who played on the Mocad team was the winner of this fantastic prize.  Other winners included Alan Weston who played on the Group 4 team and picked up a two night stay in the Waterford Castle Self Catering Lodges with two rounds of golf and Robert O’Driscoll of Whelan’s Contracts who will enjoy a two night stay at Coolbawn Quay Lakeshore Spa & Marina. 

Munster Rugby are delighted to welcome the Oceanico Group and Canyon International Properties Ltd. on board as Event Sponsors, with the association set to continue for another two years. The Oceanico Group are the largest Golf & Leisure company in Europe and second largest in the world with Douglas based Canyon International Property the official agents for the Group.   

Diageo Ireland, whose new partnership with Munster Rugby and Thomond Park has just been announced this week also hosted a drinks reception for all the participants prior to the prize giving on the night. 

All funds generated at the Munster Rugby Golf Classic will go towards the development of the Munster Rugby Academy.  Munster Rugby would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, supporters and Fota Island Golf & Spa Resort for their contribution to the event.

RESULTS
1st: Munster Sports Travel- Paddy Baird, Mick Galwey and Niall Naughton (54)
2nd: Whelan’s Contracts Ltd- Robert O’Driscoll, Frank Holt and Edwin Ryan (54)
3rd: Diageo Team 2- Colm O’Connor, John O’Flynn, Donal O’Sullivan (53)
4th: Diageo Team 1- Michael Whelan, Ken O’Dea, Michael Lyons (53)
5th- Martin & Co.- Liam Martin, P. Bourke and P. Barry (52)
6th- Toyota Ireland- Brian Connolly, Michael Coughlan, Louise Murphy (52)

Nearest the Pin- Tom Maher (Mahers Sports)
Longest Drive- John Hickey (Team Murrihy)

The third placed Diageo team of Colm O’Connor, John O’Flynn and Donal O’Sullivan with Robert Nolan of Canyon International Properties and the Oceanico Group and Munster start Denis Hurley