Gale force winds forced officials to postpone the scheduled first qualifying round on Friday and when play did get underway the following morning conditions hadn’t improved greatly.  Moloney went round in 84 and needed to shoot three-over-par on Sunday to make the cut and went agonisingly close with a merited 76, again in difficult conditions (a windchill factor of minus three prevailed).

Still, Newlands’ Andrew Hogan birdied six of his last seven holes in 40mph gusts to card an incredible four-under par 67 and the grab the silver medal as leading qualifier.

The final of the championship has been pushed back to today (1.30pm), a competition won in the past by the likes of Des Smyth (1973), Arthur Pierce (’82) and Padraig Harrinton in 1994.

Adare Manor GC is down to the final of its Spring League, an early-season showpiece that goes ahead on Saturday next.

In the quarter-final, wins were recorded by teams captained by Tom Harrington, Martin Costello, Ger Considine and Paul Griffin.  At the semi-final stage, Costello’s side beat Harrington’s selection and Griffin’s troops overcame the Considine brigade. The final – between Martin Gostello’s troops and Paul Griffin’s – is anticipated to be an epic battle for supremacy.

 “It’s been one of the most competitive leagues we’ve had it a while,” remarked Club Captain John O’Gorman.  “And, in terms of the final a great one is in prospect and whatever the outcome everyone will congratulate their opposites and the presentation will happen in a cordial and enjoyable manner – that’s the nature of business here at Adare.”

In testing conditions, six-handicapper Padraig Pearse returned a superb 34 points to win the overall prize in a well-supported Mortell Catering sponsored 16-hold club singles at Limerick County GC.

John O’Dea was next best, with a fine 33 points.

On the seniors front, there’s no stopping the ageless TJ Walsh, who comfortably carded a fantastic 39 points to win the weekly competition, four ahead of his nearest challenger in Ollie Delaney. Again, this was played over a reduced course (16 holes).