Niamh Kitching pips Monique Smit for

Curragh Scratch Cup on countback

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION

Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) celebrated her recent return to form to capture the Curragh Scratch Cup after a fine 68 in the final round at The Curragh, on Sunday.

Having trailed leader Sarah Faller (Galway) by six strokes at lunchtime, Kitching threw caution to the wind and her brave, four-under-par second rund of 68 for a total of 144 matched that of South Africa's Monique Smit (72-72) and won the trophy on the better second round countback. Faller (70-75) and Sarah Cunningham (Ennis) (74-71) tied for third place on 145.]

FINAL TOTALS

Par 144 (2x72) CSS 71 71

144 Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) 76 68, Monique Smit (South Africa)) 72 72 (Kitching won with better second round).

145 Sarah Cunningham (Ennis ) 74 71, Sarah Faller (Galway) 70 75.

146 Victoria Bradshaw (Bangor) 73 73.

147 Aedin Murphy (Carlow) 76 71, Mary Dowling (New Ross) 75 72.

148 Sarah Crowe (Tipperary) 75 73, Ciara Butler (Newlands) 74 74.

149 Lucy Simpson (Massereene) 75 74.

150 Karen Delaney (Carlow) 77 73.

151 Sheena McElroy (Grange) 74 77.

152 Louise Mernagh (Woodenbridge) 76 76.

154 Emma Gilmore (Mountbellew) 76 78.

155 Anne McCormack (Roscommon) 79 76.

156 Gillian O'Leary (Cork) 73 83.

158 Caroline Murphy (Grange) 81 77, Orla Barry (Galway) 80 78, Rhona Brennan (Bandon) 78 80.

159 Sandra Atkinson (Woodbrook) 78 81.

160 Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) 75 85.

162 Siobhan McCartan (Greenore) 80 82, Michelle McCarthy (Clonmel) 79 83.

163 Shauna O'Brien (Clonmel) 81 82, Mary McNally (The Curragh) 80 83.

166 Emer Foley (Castlecomer) 78 88.

167 Olivia Conroy (Longford) 84 83.

168 Madeleine Brennan (Carlow) 86 82, Olivia Mehaffey (Tandragee) 84 84, Sally Anne Lenehan (Castle) 81 87.

169 Louella Morton (Rathfarnham) 84 85.

172 Valerie Cotter (Carton House) 84 88, Ruth Maguire (Corrstown) 84 88.

174 Mary Duane (Luttrellstown) 86 88, Kate Stafford (Newbridge) 84 90.

177 Bernie Cox (Carlow) 85 92.

178 Geraldine Molloy (The Curragh) 92 86, Noreen Granard (Portarlington) 91 87.

179 Theresa Delahunty (Rathdowney) 92 87, Paula Murray (Naas) 89 90, Noeleen Delahunty (Rathdowney) 86 93.

180 Rose Merriman (Clane) 91 89, Penny Walker (Rathfarnham) 89 91, Marian Finn (Thurles) 88 92.

181 Mai McCann (Narin & Portnoo) 90 91, Terri Byrne (Coollattin) 89 92.

184 Michelle Butler (Carlow) 96 88.

NR Doireann Carney (Galway) 84 NR