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Hegarty makes full Irish
debut
16.09.08
Disappointment for
Ireland at Home Internationals
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
IRELAND'S challenge at the 2008 Women’s Home
International golf tournament at the Wrexham Golf
Club in Wales came to a disappointing conclusion on
Friday when the Irish team, including Stroove golfer
Gemma Hegarty, lost out to Scotland by six and a
half points to two and a half.
A win over the Scots, coupled with an English win
against Wales on the final day would have given the
Irish the title, but it was not to be. |
Ireland made a great
start to the competition on Wednesday, defeating
England five and a half to two and a half. However,
defeats to eventual winners Wales and then Scotland
meant that the Irish girls had to be content with
fourth place.
Hegarty, who was earning her first full cap made the
perfect start to the competition on Wednesday,
winning her singles match with Rachel Jennings of
England 5&3. She also teamed up with Gillian O’Leary
for a 4&3 defeat to English pair Edwards and Parker.
Against Wales, Hegarty’s |
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singles match did not
quite go her way and she lost 2&1 to Tara Davies.
There was better news in the foursomes as Hegarty,
partnering Aedin Murphy this time, halved their
match with Boulden and Loucks.
The same paring also halved their final foursomes
match of the tournament, against Scotland on Sunday,
but Hegarty was unable to get the better of Emma
Ogilvy in her final singles match, the Scottish lady
winning 5&4.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent following the
tournament, the Greencastle Golf Club star said she
was pleased with her overall performance in Wrexham.
“I was happy with my game, but a little disappointed
with how I played against Scotland on Friday. I was
exhausted at that stage because I’d flown straight
from Turkey to Manchester,” said Hegarty who missed
the final round of the Women’s Turkish Amateur Open
to line up for Ireland at the Wrexham Golf Club. Two
tournaments in a week eventually took its toll on
her game, she admitted.
“Whilst in Turkey I got the call up for the
International team as one of the girls on it decided
to turn pro and wasn't available. I was lying in
10th place in the Turkish Championship but had to
miss the final round to fly from there to Manchester
to meet up with the team.
“All I wanted was to get playing at least one match
but as it turned out I got to play in all of the
matches so it was a dream come true,” said the
Ulster player.
The highlight of Gemma’s week was halving a
foursomes match against Breanne Loucks, the current
Irish Strokeplay champion.
“Wrexham is her home course and she is turning pro
in next couple of weeks. We birdied 17 to go 1 up
but they birdied 18 to halve the match.”
Gemma, who has represented her country on three
occasions at junior level, would like to earn more
senior caps but is unsure if she will be able to
play in the next home international series because
she is getting married next summer and will be
playing little competitive golf in the run up to her
nuptials.
“Overall it was a brilliant experience and an honour
to play for my country - which has been one of my
life's ambitions.”
Gemma’s participation in Wreham capped a memorable
few weeks. Prior to the Turkey tournament she was in
the Royal Portrush Senior Cup team that won the All
Ireland at Galway Golf Club. |
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