Lyons bites as Galway claim sixth AIG Senior Cup
Gerry Cox (Team Captain) with the victorious Galway Senior Cup team after their victory at the 2019 AIG Cups and Shields Finals at Westport Golf Club. Also in the picture are Shane O'Mahony (President, Galway Golf Club) and Ciaran Daly (Captain, Galway Golf Club). Team members (from left) Liam Nolan, Declan Kennedy, Ronan Mullarney, Luke O'Neill, Mikey Burke, Eddie McCormack, Liam Power, Joe Lyons and Cillian O'Murchu. Picture by Pat Cashman
Great players hit great shots under pressure, and Joe Lyons was thrilled to rifle a beauty to Westport's 18th to give Galway AIG Senior Cup victory over Carton House.
In was the Connacht champions' fourth Senior Cup success since 2006 and their second on three years and Lyons could not have been happier with the way he closed out the match against the veteran Westmeath man Dessie Morgan, firing a 182-yard seven-iron to 18 inches to seal a 3-2 win by two holes.
Galway had two points in the bag after Boys international Luke O'Neill beat Darragh Flynn and another teenager, Liam Nolan, eased to a 5&4 win over Paul O'Hanlon in the anchor match.
While Keith Egan had beaten veteran Eddie McCormack 4&3 and Gary McDermott beat Irish Close champion Ronan Mullarney by one hole, Lyons was three-up with four to play against Morgan before he three-putted the 16th and 17th to go to the 566-yard 18th with the narrowest of leads.
Bunkered off the tee, he was forced to lay up, but when Morgan went for the downwind 18th in two and found the penalty area on the right with his daring second, Lyons' dart to the last forced Morgan to try to chip in for four.
After failing, he quickly offered his hand to a man he described as a gent.
"Westmeath men and All Ireland finals," Morgan said with a smile, casting his eyes to heaven as his Senior Cup dream evaporated in front of his eyes. "They don't really happen."
Lyons was thrilled and relieved.
"I'd say that added about 10 years to my life there," said the 47-year-old after going unbeaten in the Senior Cup and the Interpros this year.
"You want to be there, and you want to be in with a chance to win but when it's all on you the last few holes, and you're my age and three-putt a couple of holes on the way in, you're kind of thinking: 'You want to be careful what you wish for.'"
Team captain Gerry Cox felt Galway's strength in depth proved the difference in the end as they had a nine-strong panel that was a vibrant mixture of youth and experience.
"We knew Carton House were going to be very tough," he said. "They've got a great squad and a great system, so we knew it was always going to come down to probably one putt, which we saw there on the 18th, with Joe Lyons getting the winning point.
"I have to admit that the way our team played over the weekend was very professional. They played so well, and I'm delighted for every one of them because they all put their effort into it throughout the year.
"I don't like it to be that tight. The first few holes, we were down. Then we came back at them, but we were down again. The last few holes, we got up on top, but it still came down to the 18th, so it was a very, very tight match.
"We had a big squad. There were nine players that were available for selection. Up until the Connacht finals, we had eight that played. We have a very good, deep squad. This year, players are playing very well, so it meant that competition for places was exceptional. With that, you get guys that perform at a higher level."
The presence of hugely experienced players such as McCormack and Lyons was keenly felt.
"Myself and Joe slag each other because there's a month between us in age," Cox said. "I have to admit with Eddie and Joe the way that they've interacted with the younger guys in the squad this year has been fantastic. We're getting a bit of the more mature and the youth.
"They're not afraid to say what they really mean, which is great."
While he won the Munster Strokeplay in May and contended for a place on the Irish team until he was forced to miss the final-counting Mullingar Scratch Trophy for the Bridgestone Order of Merit spots, Lyons would be the first to admit that his putting can be hit and miss as he gets older.
"Joe has his moments, but he got up on top, and he wasn't going to relinquish it," Cox said. "The one thing you find with Joe, he's such a competitor, he's never beaten.
"In the midst of all the pressure, he stitches it into about a foot and a half to close out a match. It was a phenomenal performance."
Lyons had his wife Vera on the bag and he admitted that golf is still his life, even at 47.
"It's easier for me," he said. "I've no kids. It's just myself and Vera. I love the game. I'm years competing. It's easier for me than other guys my age to go and compete in these things.
"It's my sole pursuit outside of work. I live, sleep, eat, breathe golf. My work is around golf. Sure I love it."
AIG Senior Cup Final, Westport GC
Carton House 2 Galway 3
Keith Egan bt Eddie McCormack 4&3;
Darragh Flynn lost to Luke O’Neill 3&2;
Gary McDermott bt Ronan Mullarney 1 hole;
Des Morgan lost to Joe Lyons 2 holes;
Paul O’Hanlon lost to Liam Nolan 5&4
