Hermitage star Casey defends her title

CIARA Casey successfully defended her Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup title after another exciting instalment of the competition on Sunday.

In its 46th year, the competition saw the defending champion shoot rounds of 74 and 72 to finish three strokes ahead of closest challenger Aedin Murphy of Carlow.

Casey, last year, became the very first home golfer to win the prestigious competition, and making it back-to-back titles will be a major boost for ahead of this weekend’s Irish Women’s Open Strokeplay in Co Louth Golf Club.

Among the other local golfers who figured strongly were Grange’s Sheena McElroy (Senior Nett 36) Newlands’ Amy Condon (Junior Nett 36) and Castlewarden’s Tegon Gordon (Second Nett 36).