Grange won their first green pennant in almost 80 years as they took home the Flogas Irish Mixed Foursomes All-Ireland title while Gowran Park were crowned Irish Mixed Four-ball All-Ireland champions.
It was a wet start to the day in Dundalk but the clouds parted in the afternoon and it paved the way for two brilliant victories.
Grange had come close in the Barton Shield already this year but they bounced back here, with a narrow win over Dooks setting up this decider against Ardee.
Thomas Pepper and Catherin Commins put Ardee in the ascendency with their 3&2 win against Jonathan O’Driscoll and Dervla O’Driscoll but Grange were next on the scoreboard. Jake Whelan and Julianne Muldowney won 1up against Thomas Malone and Sheila Murphy.
Dylan Harbourne and Margaret Clarke were 2&1 winners against Tom Muldoon and Karen Forrester, and that left it for John McCarthy and Ross Willoughby to seal the title.
It was a first All-Ireland championship for Grange since 1946 and their joint-captain Ian Smyth was delighted with his history-making team.
“It’s been a long time in the making,” said Smyth.
“We’re just so proud of everybody connected with the club, so proud of the team and we’re definitely going to celebrate tonight.
“They’re a great bunch, such talented golfers, every one of them, the whole way. The depth of the squad from the very start but the spirit got us there in the end.
“We’re going to enjoy this one for a long, long time. It’s been, I don’t know how many years since we won a green pennant, but we’ll make up for that tonight with our celebration.”
Grange were crowned Flogas Irish Mixed Foursomes All-Ireland champions in Dundalk. Photo: Nick Elliott / Inpho
There was drama in the other final on Saturday, where Gowran Park eventually defeated a resilient Belvoir Park on extra holes.
Robert Giles and Terry Burns won the top match, Willie O’Neill and Keelin Walsh won the second, George Wilson and Valerie McCollum claimed the third and James Murphy and Laura Kearney were victorious in the bottom match.
It finished tied 2-2 and as a result it left Laura Kearney and James Murphy to secure the silverware on the first play-off hole.
“Absolutely amazing, I’m absolutely delighted four our team,” said Gowran Park joint-captain Niall Brett.
“So much work went into this. The practise rounds, people taking time off work, a big commitment went into this.
“The effort that our players put in, that’s our second play-off. I’m absolutely delighted for Laura, who played absolutely brilliant in both play-offs, and James.
“Dramatic, tension, excitement, it was tough going for the last few holes but we dug it out and done what we needed to do.”
View the final scoring here
