Mooney going for hat-trick of titles at Cairndhu

Damian Mooney will be going for a hat-trick of titles when the two-day Cairndhu Pro-Am gets underway on Friday.

The Ballyliffin professional is in great form at the minute and goes into the event on the back of three tournament wins in recent weeks at Killeen, Naas and Beaverstown.

“The course in excellent condition considering the weather we have had,” said Cairndhu professional Barrie Trainor, who won the tournament in 2012 with a record 10-under-par total.

“The greens will be running as fast as they have been all year, the fairways are good and the rough is tough. The boys who can find the short grass will shoot good scores around here at the minute.

Barrie added: “This is a tournament that has always been well supported by the members but the decision to move it to Friday and Saturday has certainly rejuvenated it. There are 39/40 teams confirmed which is a phenomenal return.”

The €15,000 tournament has attracted a strong field, including the leading contenders in the Order of Merit, David Higgins (Waterville) and Eamonn Brady (Clontarf). Just 432 points separates the duo entering the closing stages of the season.

Neil O'Briain (Old Conna), who won the Peter Gregory Memorial Pro-Am at Clandeboye GC on Wednesday, is scheduled to start alongside the likes of Simon Thornton (Team Ireland), Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) and Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill Golf and County Club), a winner of the event way back in 2002.