Good times never seemed so good for skipper

Neil Diamond is the new captain of the Banbridge Ulster Cup team and his first outing was to Lisburn last Sunday.
Some of the Banbridge GC Ulster Cup team. Back (L-R): John Gallagher, John J Lennon, Gary McCormick, Paul Magennis (Club Captain). Bottom (L-R): Alan Caughey, Neil Diamond (Team Captain), Richard Coburn.Some of the Banbridge GC Ulster Cup team. Back (L-R): John Gallagher, John J Lennon, Gary McCormick, Paul Magennis (Club Captain). Bottom (L-R): Alan Caughey, Neil Diamond (Team Captain), Richard Coburn.
Some of the Banbridge GC Ulster Cup team. Back (L-R): John Gallagher, John J Lennon, Gary McCormick, Paul Magennis (Club Captain). Bottom (L-R): Alan Caughey, Neil Diamond (Team Captain), Richard Coburn.

Neil had selected a very experienced team and he was hoping to get at least two points out of the seven available.

Away from home, that would be an excellent result

Peter Hillen was tempted to withdraw his name from the team list because he thought he wasn’t playing well enough. Peter sets himself very high standards but thankfully he decided to play. He won his match by four and two. That could prove a crucial point.

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John Gallagher looked to be heading for a win when he stood dormie two up. The final two holes at Lisburn are probably the two most difficult holes on the course. John unfortunately lost them both and he had to settle for a half match.

Gary McCormick, who has been in great form lately, also got a half match. That gave Neil the two points he so desired.

John J Lennon played number one but he couldn’t compete against ‘Lady Luck’.

His opponent holed out with a fairway wood at the third hole and then did likewise from a bunker at the sixth hole. John knew then it was not to be his day.

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John lost his game, as did Richard Coburn, Gareth Martin and Alan Caughey.

But a 2-5 score-line away from home is pretty good. Banbridge would now be slight favourites to progress.

The second leg is at Banbridge next Sunday (1.30 pm). Support would be very welcome.

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