The Charlemont Cup has long been the jewel in County Armagh Golf Club’s intra-club matchplay crown — it’s “the one they’re all after”. And in 2019, the historic doubles event produced glory for the unstoppable pairing of Oliver Connell and Desmond Kinsella.
The formidable Kinsella/Connell axis began their ultimately triumphant cup odyssey with a first round defeat of Paddy Darragh and Noel Murtagh, before victory over John Vernon and Brendan Powell enhanced their matchplay momentum.
Brian Cleland and Paul McCurry couldn’t live with Connell/Kinsella in round three, and then they ushered Kevin Smyth and Paul Traynor through the Charlemont exit doors too.
The same fate would befall Patrick Branningan and Conor McGuigan in the last four, which set up an intriguingly poised final against Andy Steed and John Mawhinney.
Oliver and Desmond held their opponents at bay with an impressive showing in this decisive showdown, and, after a sixth consecutive win, they deservedly got their hands on the coveted Charlemont Cup trophy.
For their part, runners-up Mawhinney and Steed enjoyed an excellent campaign in which they dispensed with four-pronged resistance in the chronological shape of Gareth Frizzell/Colm Shannon, Andrew Rennie/Kenny Edgar, Ally Doods/Ryan Runnette and Lee Stewart/Chris Lester.
On being presented with the hard-earned silverware, Kinsella and Connell’s justified pride at their achievement was obvious. Meanwhile, Helen Forster from tournament sponsors, the Charlemont Arms Hotel Armagh, warmly congratulated the men on their success and said that she looks forward to supporting the prestigious competition for many more years to come.
Charlemont Cup winners, Oliver Connell and Desmond Kinsella, are presented with the trophy by Helen Forster, manager at sponsors Charlemont Arms Hotel. Also pictured are County Armagh Golf Club Captain, Kenny Edgar, and tournament runners-up, John Mawhinney and Andy Steed.