Catalonia v. Ireland, 20th October

20/10/2023

Catalonia v. Ireland, 20th October

Success for Catalonia

Catalonia hosted Ireland in the International Challenge on 20th October 2023 at the Montseny course. Catalonia romped to a comprehensive victory (16.5 to 7.5). The Catalans claimed four and half ladies singles together with three and a half individual juvenile games to clinch their win.

Pairs matches began with Fourballs, after which Catalonia led 5-1. Catalonia won the three juvenile matches and one ladies encounter while the other ladies matches were tied. Ireland won two ladies Greensomes matches while Catalonia grabbed two and a half juvenile points out of three so Catalonia were five ahead overall heading into the singles.

Fourballs
Ladies: Marta Cucurull/Gloria Ruiz beat GerWard/Paula Lynch 4&3; Marta Fuster/Soraya Lassal halved with Breda White/Glenda Hoey; Conchi Carballo/Mª AngelsTaulats halved with Chrissie Byrne/Mary Murray. Catalonia 2 - Ireland 1
Juveniles: Jan Bernet/Clara Martinez beat Brian McCarthy/Ajay Barrett 3&1; Yago Izquierdo/Biel Cababes beat Nathan Cronin/Joe Franklin 2&1; Marti Luja/Nil Artigas beat Peadar O'Toole/JackMcShane 1 hole. Catalonia 3 - Ireland 0

Scotch Foursomes
Ladies: Marta Cucurull/Gloria Ruiz beat GerWard/Paula Lynch 1 hole; Conchi Carballo/Mª AngelsTaulats lost to Breda White/Glenda Hoey 4&3; Marta Fuster/Soraya Lassal lost to Chrissie Byrne/Mary Murray 3&2. Catalonia 1 - Ireland 2
Juveniles: Jan Bernet/Yago Izquierdo halved with Brian McCarthy/Ajay Barrett; Marti Luja/Clara Martinez beat Nathan Cronin/Joe Franklin 3&2; Biel Cababes/Nil Artigas beat Peadar O'Toole/JackMcShane 5&4. Catalonia 2.5 - Ireland 0.5

Singles
Ladies: Gloria Ruiz halved with Ger Ward, Mª AngelsTaulats lost to Chrissie Byrne, Marta Fuster beat Breda White 4&3, Marta Cucurull beat Mary Murray 4&3, Soraya Lassal beat Paula .Lynch 1 hole, Conchi Carballo beat Glenda Hoey 3&2 Catalonia 4.5 - Ireland 1.5
Juveniles: Biel.Cabanes beat Peadar O'Toole 4&3, Clara Martinez beat Nathan Cronin 3&2, Yago Izquierdo beat Brian McCarthy 4&3 Marti Luja halved with Ajay Barrett, Jan Bernet lost to Joe Franklin 1 hole, Nil Artigas lost to Jack McShane 3&2. Catalonia 3.5 - Ireland 2.5

Ladies Overall: Catalonia 7.5 - Ireland 4.5; Juvenile Overall: Catalonia 9 - Ireland 3.

Hole distances are shown in the attached image document. Rules here

Teams comprised six ladies and six juveniles (Under 16). Play will be Matchplay over 18 Holes Fourball, 18 Holes Scotch Foursomes and 18 Holes Singles.The Catalan ladies will be: Marta Cucurull Sole ((Bellpuig), Marta Fuster Carbo (Gualta), Gloria Ruiz Estany (Badalona), Soraya Lassal Daia (Gualta), Mª Angels Taulats Oriol (Franciac), Conchi Carballo Vallejo (Vallromanes). Catalan Under 16 players will be: Jan Bernet Martinez De Morentin (Hcp1), Yago Izquierdo Ruiz (Can Cuyàs), Nil Artigas Baltasar (Gualta), Biel Cabanes Cisneros (Gualta), Clara Martinez Cortes (Gualta), Marti Luja Pascual (Gualta)

Ireland's team is: Chrissie Byrne (Ryston), Paula Lynch (Oldcastle), Mary Murray (Rocklodge), Liz Quinn (Collinstown), Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock), Breda White (Tipperary Hills), A Jay Barrett (Listowel), Nathan Cronin (Deerpark), Joe Franklin (Hillview), Brian McCarthy (Deerpark), Jack McShane (Gowran), Peadar O'Toole (Athgarvan).

The International Challenge was first contested in 1997 and has been held sporadically since then. See here for a complete record.

CATALAN TEAM PROFILES
Marta Cucurull Sole

- Currently plays for the Urgell Pitch La Trattoria team in the Catalan Teams Championship 1st Division and for Urgell Green team in the ACPP Women's Interclubs 2023

- FCPP Player of the Year 2022 and 2023

- Catalonia Women's Champion 2011

- Runner-up Catalonia Women's Championship 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017

- 3rd place FCPP Women's Catalonia Championship 2019

- 2022 ACPP Mixed Couples Cup Champion

- Runner-up ACPP Mixed Doubles Cup 2021, 2020

- Team Champion, Women's ACPP Interclubs 2023, 2022, 2019, 2017

- Runner-up ACPP Women's Interclubs 2021

- 2022 Catalan Open runner-up

- Represented Catalonia in the 2018 Internatonal Challenge

- Winner WPPT Catalonia 2023 (Ladies)

Marta Fuster Carbo

- Currently plays for Gualta Baix Empordà in the Catalan Teams Championship 1st Division and for the Mas Nou Femení team in the ACPP Women's Interclubs 2023

- Runner-up in 2023 Player of the Year

- Champion of Catalonia Matchplay Female Category 2023

- Ranked 3rd in the 2021 Women's Championship of Catalonia

- Ranked 4th in Catalan Women's Championship 2023

- 3rd Place in ACPP Mixed Doubles Cup 2022

- Women's Interclub Teams Champion 2023 East Zone

- Making her debut in the Catalan Pitch & Putt team

Gloria Ruiz Estany

- Currently plays for the Cantera Badalona team in FCPP 2023 Catalan Team Championship (2nd Eastern Division) and for Urgell Green team in the ACPP Women's Interclubs 2023

- Player of the Year 2021

- Runner-up Player of the Year 2019

- 3rd Ranked Player of the Year 2023

- Ranked 3rd in the Women's Ranking 2017

- 2021 ACPP Mixed Couples Cup runner-up

- 3rd Classified ACPP Mixed Doubles Cup 2014

- Champion of Catalonia Matchplay Female Category 2020

- Catalan Open champion 2019, 2018 and 2017

- Andorra Open champion 2018 and 2017

- 2021 Catalan Open runner-up

- Women's Interclub Teams Champion ACPP 2023 West Zone

- Catalan International Pairs Mixed winner 2017

- Represented Catalonia in the 2018 Internatonal Challenge

Soraya Lassal Daia

- Currently plays for Dropats de Gualta team in the Catalan Teams Championship 4th Northern Division and for Hcp1 Mineres team in the Women's Interclubs ACPP 2023

- 4th Ranked Player of the Year 2023

- 8th Ranked Player of the Year 2022

- 2022 ACPP Mixed Doubles Cup runner-up, 2017

- Andorra Open champion 2021 and 2020

- Andorra Open runner-up 2019

- third in Andorra Open 2022 and 2018

- 3rd Classified ACPP Mixed Couples Cup 2021

- Catalan International Pairs Mixed winner 2019

- Making her debut in the Catalan team

Mª Angels Taulats Oriol

- Currently plays for the Franciac Pitch in the 1st Division of Catalan Championship team and for Franciac Verd team in the ACPP Women's Interclubs 2023.

- 4th Ranked Player of the Year 2019

- 5th Ranked Player of the Year 2023

- 6th Ranked Player of the Year 2022

- 4th Classified Championship of Catalonia Women 2016

- 3rd Placed Mixed Doubles Cup 2020

- Champion for ACPP Women's Interclub Teams 2015, 2009

- 3rd place Catalan Open 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017

- Making her debut in the Catalan Pitch & Putt team

Conchi Carballo Vallejo

- Currently plays for the Vallromanes team in the FCPP 2023 3ª West Division Championship and for Vallromanes Femení team in the Interclubs Femení ACPP 2023

- 4th Ranked Player of the Year 2021

- 5th Ranked Player of the Year 2022

- 6th Ranked Player of the Year 2023

- 4th ranked Catalan Women's Championship 2017

- 4th ranked Mixed Doubles Cup 2016

- 4th ranked Mixed Doubles Cup 2013

- 2020 FCPP Catalunya Senior Championship Women's Category Champion

- 2021 Catalan Open runner-up

- 2014 Andorra Open runner-up

- 2017 World Mixed Pairs champion

- Champion for ACPP Women's Interclub Teams 2021, 2016

- Making her debut in the Catalan Pitch & Putt team

Jan Bernet Martinez De Morentin (Hcap1)

- FCPP Youth Ranking Absolute Champion 2023

- FCPP Juvenile Ranking Juvenile Category Champion 2023

- Absolute runner-up Youth Ranking FCPP 2022

- FCPP Youth Ranking Champion Juvenile Category 2022

- 7th Place Catalonia Youth Championship 2022

- FCPP Doubles Ranking Handicap Champion 2022

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

Yago Izquierdo Ruiz (Can Cuyas)

- Absolute runner-up Youth Ranking FCPP 2023

- Runner-up Cadet Category Youth Ranking FCPP 2023

- 4th place FCPP Youth Ranking 2021

- FCPP Youth Ranking Children's Category Champion 2021

- Runner-up FCPP Juvenile Ranking Juvenile Category 2019

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

Nil Artigas Baltasar (Gualta)

- Belongs to the Gualta Pitch & Putt Club

- Ranked 3rd FCPP Youth Ranking 2023, 2022

- Runner-up Cadet Category Youth Ranking FCPP 2023, 2022

- Runner-up FCPP Youth Ranking Children's Category 2021

- 3rd Ranked FCPP Catalonia Youth Championship 2022

- Cadet Category Champion FCPP Catalonia Youth Championship 2022

- Children's Category Champion FCPP Catalonia Youth Championship 2021

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

Biel Cabanes Cisneros (Gualta)

- 4th Art Classified FCPP Youth Ranking 2023, 2022

- FCPP Youth Ranking Children's Category Champion 2023

- Youth Runner-up FCPP Youth Ranking 2022

- Youth runner-up FCPP 2022 Catalan Youth Championship

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

Clara Martínez Cortés (Gualta)

- Ranked 5th FCPP Youth Ranking 2023

- FCPP Youth Ranking Cadet Category Champion 2023

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

Martí Luja Pascual (Gualta)

- Ranked 6th FCPP Youth Ranking 2023

- Runner-up in the Children's Category Youth Ranking FCPP 2023

- Runner-up FCPP Juvenile Ranking Juvenile Category 2021

- Champion Category Aleví Championship of Catalonia Youth 2021

- Debutant in the Catalan Pitch & Putt Team

IRELAND TEAM PROFILES
Chrissie Byrne has represented both St. Bridget's and Ryston in the international arena, initially against Rest of Europe in the matches alongside the European Team championships of 2003, 2005 and 2007. She played in the 2006 World Cup in Catalonia, against the Dutch in Holland in 2006 and in the International Challenge at Seapoint five years ago. Chrissie’s international record reads: Foursomes: W3 L4 H0; Fourballs: W2 L0 H0; Singles: W7 L2 H0; Total: 12.

World Ladies Strokeplay champion in 2009 and 2013, Chrissie’s national individual championship haul stands at eleven: one Intermediate Strokeplay, four senior Strokeplay and six Matchplay.

Mary Murray (Rocklodge) won the All Ireland Matchplay championship at Rocklodge in 2019 and was runner-up in the recent National Strokeplay championship at Riverdale.

Three times Munster champion, Mary won the National Over-55 Strokeplay championship at McDonagh in 2018.

National Inter-County winner with Cork in 2015, Mary won the 2016 British Open at Dagenham.

Mary played in the last International Challenge against Catalonia at Seapoint in 2018 and her international record is: Foursomes: W0 L1 H0; Fourballs: W0 L0 H 0; Singles: W1 L0 H0; Total 1.

Holder of an incredible 25 national individual titles (12 Strokeplay, 12 Matchplay and one Over-55) Geraldine Ward (Portmarnock) first represented Ireland in the millennium year International Challenge at IGB. A multiple National Inter-County winner with Dublin, Ger went on to play for Ireland against the Rest of Europe (in 2003, 2005 and 2007) against the Netherlands in 2008 and also in the 2008, 2011 and 2018 Challenges against Catalonia.

Irish Open winner at Seapoint in 2018, Ger’s international record is: Foursomes: W5 L2H0; Fourballs: W4 L2 H0; Singles: W5 L2 H1; Total 14½.

Paula Lynch (Oldcastle) teamed-up with Kevin Carolan (Rathfeigh) at Bellewstown to win the 2019 National Mixed Foursomes, setting the all-time best-ever stableford points total for the event of 99. 2023 National Matchplay champion at St. Bridget’s and this year’s Leinster Strokeplay champion at Royal Meath, Paula was an integral member of the Meath team that were Leinster Inter-County winners in 2022 and 2023.

Fourth in the 2021 National Intermediate Strokeplay championship at Tullamore, Paula will make her international debut in 2023.

Collinstown’s Liz Quinn has been victorious at eight international opens - French Open 2006, 2007, San Marino Open 2006, 2007, 2008, Dutch Open 2013, Australian Open 2007 and Australian Matchplay 2007.

Liz claimed her maiden Irish national championship (Strokeplay at Kilbeggan) in 2020 and won the 2022 All Ireland Matchplay championship at Douglas. She has been a Leinster Matchplay finlist in each of the last two seasons and is a two-time Best Gross winner at the National Mixed Foursomes.

All Ireland Mixed Foursomes winner with Paul Bray in 2001, Liz will make a first international appearance.

Breda White (Tipperary Hills) was crowned World Over-55 Strokeplay champion at Verin in 2018.

Three-times a winner of the National Inter-County with Tipperary, Breda was 1987 and 2016 National Strokeplay champion and National Matchplay champion in 2014 at Parteen. She claimed National Over-55 honours in 2022.

Tipperary County champion on multiple occasions, Breda holds twelve Munster Strokeplay titles and nine provincial Matchplay gongs.

National Mixed Foursomes runner-up with Eddie Lonergan in 1989, Breda will officially represent Ireland for the first time in October.

Glenda Hoey (Lucan) will make her international debut following the unfortunate injury to Liz Quinn. 2018 and 2022 Dublin Ladies Strokeplay champion, Glenda holds one National Inter-County winners’ medal with Dublin and has also been on three Dublin runners-up sides.

Leinster Inter-County winner with Dublin on three occasions, Glenda has completed a trio of top three finishes at the National Ladies Strokeplay championships – junior third in 2013, intermediate third in 2014 and senior runner-up in 2022 on 104 (with a 50 second round).

2013 Dublin Junior Matchplay champion and 2014 County Intermediate Strokeplay champion, Glenda defeated Maree O’Toole in the 2021 Dublin Ladies Matchplay final at Glenville.

A Jay Barrett (Listowel) was 2022 National Juvenile Strokeplay champion at Deerpark and reached the 2023 National Matchplay final at Lakeside. Twice a Munster Juvenile Inter-County winner with Kerry, A Jay also holds two National Inter-County gold medals. A Jay was Munster Matchplay finalist at St. Stephen’s in 2023.

2023 Munster Matchplay champion at St. Stephen’s, Nathan Cronin (Deerpark) was Munster Strokeplay runner-up in 2022 at Cunnigar and in 2023 at Larkspur Park. Twice a National Juvenile Inter-County winner, Nathan also has a brace of Munster Inter-County winners’ medals. He helped his alma mater St. Brendan’s to second spot in the 2023 Munster Schools tournament.

2022 National Juvenile Matchplay champion at Ryston Joe Franklin (Hillview) was third in the 2021 National Juvenile Strokeplay championship at Lakeside. Munster Juvenile Strokeplay (10-13) champion 2022 at Cunnigar, Joe has been a runner-up in the National Juvenile Inter-County (2022) and Munster Juvenile Inter-County (2022 and 2023) with Tipperary.

Reigning National Juvenile Matchplay champion Brian McCarthy (Deerpark) was runner-up in this year’s National Juvenile Strokeplay, a championship in which he has also twice claimed 10-13 honours. Munster Juvenile Strokeplay champion (14-15) 2023, Brian was twice a National Juvenile Inter-County winner with Kerry and also holds two Munster Inter-County medals.

Reigning National Juvenile Strokeplay kingpin Jack McShane (Gowran) was Leinster Matchplay champion in 2022 at Custume and in 2023 at Gowran. Leinster Strokeplay (10-13) champion in 2022 at Seapoint (also scene of his national success), Jack recently helped Kilkenny to a first-ever podium finish at the National Juvenile Inter-County championship at Seapoint.

2023 Leinster Juvenile (14-15) Strokeplay champion at Poulaphouca, Peadar O'Toole (Athgarvan) took third place in the recent National Juvenile Strokeplay championship at Seapoint, narrowly edged out of second place on the tiebreaker. Provincial Strokeplay (10-13) runner-up at Seapoint twelve months ago, Peadar has been a mainstay of Kildare’s 2022 and 2023 Leinster Inter-County winning quartets.

Link to competition: Catalonia v. Ireland.