A thrilling, if nerve-wracking, 5.5-4.5 win over Ballyliffin Golf Club has ensured County Armagh's continued participation in the All-Ireland Four-Ball Trophy.
In the first leg played in Armagh on Sunday 2 April, Tim Teahan's charges comprised a mixture of stalwarts from previous campaigns and a few fresh faces, and this proved the perfect blend as the home side turned in a quite tremendous performance.
With County Armagh having secured a maximum points return from the four matches already completed, the pairing of Brendan Lynch and debutant Oliver Connell took their game to the last hole after a marathon five-hour struggle. This led to some anxiety in the bar as their teammates fretted about both the outcome of that final clash and whether Seven Hills Restaurant would still be open to serve the post-round dinner. Happily, the news was to be positive on both fronts.
In possession of a 5-0 halfway lead then, the group travelled to the north-west the following Saturday in great spirits but wary, too, of the dangers of complacency. And, indeed, against a stunning backdrop of the sun-soaked Donegal hills, a rather different picture of the overall tie was to emerge in that return leg.
On a tense afternoon on the Inishowen peninsula, Ballyliffin won four points comfortably meaning that County Armagh needed to take something from the remaining match to progress. Stepping up to that plate were Oliver Connell and Martin Grimley, who secured the decisive half point on the 18th green.
The victorious County Armagh squad consisted of Oliver Connell, Philip Devlin, Gerry Doyle, Martin Grimley, Dwayne Houston, Pat Hughes, Brendan Lynch, Norman Mallon, Pat McAleavey, Tomas McElmeel, Paul Quinn, David Spratt and Tim Teahan (captain).
A more local challenge now awaits the Four-Ball Trophy team as the second round draw has pitted them against Carrickmacross club Mannan Castle, who defeated Fintona last time out. Congratulations to the lads and best of luck for the next round.