IRISH SENIOR WOMEN'S CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sheena McElroy opens title defence

with a leading 75 at Ardee

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Defending Champion Sheena McElroy (Grange) fired an opening round of 75 to lead a 47 strong field at the halfway stage of qualifying in the ILGU’s Senior Women’s Close Championship at Ardee Golf Club yesterday
In sunny but blustery conditions, McElroy started brightly with a birdie 3 at the first. Bogeys at the 2nd and 5th followed before an impressive second birdie at the long par 6th. Three consecutive bogeys followed around the turn before a string of pars and a birdie at the final hole saw her sign for a 2 over par 75 and hold a 2 shot over night lead.
Other impressive scores on the opening day included a 77 from The Heath’s Catherine Reilly, while a further 2 shots back were Helen Jones (Strabane) and Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine).
Seasoned Internationals Valerie Hassett (Ennis) and Violet McBride (Belvoir Park) are also well placed to progress to the matchplay stages which commence on Thursday after a second 18 holes qualifying round. The top 16 competitors play a further two days with the Champion crowned Friday afternoon.
Round 1 Qualifying
75 Sheena McElroy (Grange)
77 Catherine Reilly (The Heath)
79 Helen Jones (Strabane) Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine)
81 Violet McBride (Belvoir Park)
82 Sally Casey (Seapoint) Olivia Conroy (Co. Longford) Valerie Hassett (Ennis) Patricia O'Reilly (Headfort)
83 Gill Rouiller (Mannan Castle)
84 Pamela Morgan (Lahinch) Pauline Walsh (Headfort) Jane Gardner (Malone)
85 Rhona Brennan (Bandon) Niamh Giblin (Dun Laoghaire) Mary Gorry (Baltinglass) Phil O'Gorman (Laytown/Bettystown)
86 Catherine Bird (Nenagh)
87 Mairead MacNamara (Woodbrook) Rita McGoldrick (Enniscrone)
88 Madeline Brennan (Carlow) Mary Geaney (Killarney) Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) Val Shannon (Douglas)
89 Valerie James (Bangor) Helen O'Donoghue (Clonmel) Kay McCartan (Greenore)
90 Kath Stewart-Moore (Royal Portrush) Sheila Roche (Ardee)
91 Mary McGoey (Greenore)
92 Judy Clarke (Royal Portrush) Helen Thornton (Ardee)
93 Roma English (Larne) Noreen Granard (Portarlington)
94 Finola Duncan (Bangor) Gemma Jennings (Navan) Mary McCabe (Headfort) Anna Moloney (Clonmel) Denise O'Sullivan (Hermitage)
95 Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) Patsy McCarthy (Grange) Geraldine Woods (Ardee)
96 Fionnuala McGrady (Dunmurry) Iris Smyth (Bangor)
97 Julie Barkman (Nenagh) Kathleen Hynes (Ardee)
98 Mary Kidney (Headfort)