On a lovely sunny October day (Wednesday 7th) Portmarnock Golf Club had put on its best bib-‘n-tucker to welcome OC Members and their Guests for the return-leg of the annual golfing joust between Experience and Youth. The Past Team consisted of OC Members of Portmarnock and the whole event was superbly organized by Ambrose O’Sullivan – he of ’78 Rugby Fame ! The trophy itself is the Prendiville Plate, kindly presented to mark that famous 1978 Senior Cup win by Dr Brendan Prendiville (OC’40).
Eimhin Ryan and his team were confident that the upsurge in their fortunes which saw them hold their Elders to a tied match in Clongowes for the Golf Society Shield would win the day. They made a strategic selection of Experience with a capital E in the choice of their all-rolled-into-one President-Chauffeur-SuperSub-Rector, Fr Sheil to bolster the Magnificent Seven and make up the fourball team for the Present.
All the matches were closely contested with most of them ending in sight of the Clubhouse. The most notable achievement – which led to the Past’s retaining the Plate – was the never-say-die comeback to gain a half (from dormie 3 down) by the Union President, Owen Binchy (OC’81) and his gallant partner.
The Present Team was welcomed to a fine dinner by the hosting Past and, as darkness fell over the isthmus, the young’uns hurried back to base-camp, just in time for Late-night Study!
Fr Michael Sheil SJ
