Killeen Golf Club captured only their 3rd Leinster Title, in the clubs short history, after narrowly beating Clontarf in the Metropolitan Trophy. Killeen needed 4 points in Clontarf to capture the pennant after their 6-3 1st leg lead, but when their two legged final ended deadlocked at 9-9 after day 2 in the North Dublin club, real life drama ensued.

Before that, Alan Murphy got Killeen’s first point on the board while Paul Gavin (Leixlip) added to Killeen’s lead as they dominated 8-4. However, Clontarf mounted a great comeback to win a number matches including wins on the 18th & 19th to reduce the margin, between the two finalists. Billy Quinn (Sallins) got Killeen a step closer to the magic 10 points with a commanding win. But just as Billy was winning on the 16th, tides were turning in favour of Clontarf on the other side of the golf course and when Michael Walshe failed in his valiant comeback charge; both teams were destined for a 3-Hole play-off.

The responsibility fell on Gerry Creevey (Clontarf) and Eadestown’s Paul Magee to battle it out. The standard in the play-off was fitting to a Senior Cup, as both players turned on the style. Killeen went 1up thru 1 after Paul birdied the 1st. Gerry then holed out from 30ft, on the 230 yard Par 3 11th (2nd Play-off hole) to tie the match again. Killeen’s Magee then called upon all his experience to leave his 2nd shot on the 500yd Par 5 to 20 foot. Miraculously Gerry holed from 22ft for birdie and when Paul 2 putted for birdie, sudden death beckoned.

So to the 4th play-off hole and back to the Par 4 10th where 2 regulation Par 4’s added to the dramatic conclusion. Nerves were truly dangling amongst the ever growing crowd as the gladiators moved to the 5th play-off hole and again the 230yd Par 3 11th . Gerry scrambled well for a bogey 4 before Paul clinched the pennant with a regulation Par 3 after a superb tee shot, to the delight of the jubilant Killeen supporters.

Killeen’s road to the final was challenging and rewarding as the despatched Slade Valley, Grange Castle & Hermitage in the earlier rounds, before overcoming Newlands in the Q-Final 5-4 and Powerscourt in the Semi-Final, again 5-4. Despite the clutch situation of previous rounds no one could have predicted the drama that unfolded on Saturday afternoon as Team Manager & Ardclough native described the finale as “the most dramatic I have ever witnessed.” Peter paid tribute to the resilience of the opposition together with the great sprit both teams played the final in.

This Leinster win once again puts Killeen on the map – 3 years after their heroics of winning both the Barton Cup & Leinster Fourball, in the space of 7 days. Killeen Captain, Enda Buckley, congratulated Peter and his entire panel for their endeavours since last February when the journey began. Yet again it has helped to unite many members in the club and create a great camaraderie as well as some of lasting memories of what will go down as one of the great finals in Leinster golf