Murphy has work cut out

There are eight previous national matchplay champions and four strokeplay champions in the field of 64 for the Penfold Commando…

There are eight previous national matchplay champions and four strokeplay champions in the field of 64 for the Penfold Commando Men's and Women's All-Ireland Pitch and Putt Matchplay Championships which will be played at the Lakelands Pitch and Putt club, Ovens, Co Cork next weekend. Holder and top seed Ray Murphy (Templebreedy) will have to produce his best form to make the quarter-finals. Murphy will have to see off David Poole, the 1985 champion, and Anthony Malone to reach the last eight. In the bottom half, Johhny Campbell makes a welcome return to the championship scene, but Barry Morrissey (Templebreedy), Tom Hogan (Royal Meath) and reigning strokeplay champion Frank O'Donoghue will also have their sights set on this coveted title. In the women's event Geraldine Ward will be seeking to equal Clare Keating's record. Miriam Byrne (St Brigid's) is seeded one and will meet Glenville's Kay Mooney, the Dublin matchplay champion in the first round.