2016
Opposing Captain’s response letter below also...
Dear Sean Chairde, It's that time of year again when the mind starts to wander in anticipation of the magical few days we spend golfing, drinking and catching up with the Sean Chairde family. I have the unenviable task of trying to match the performance of my team's last two captains, both of whom produced stunning victories. I fear they may well have reinvigorated the competitive spirit of our opposition, a wonderful team who were dominant for so long. However I am confident that the Nestors have passed on a finely tuned team, full of match winners, who I will be greatly honoured to lead into battle in search of the hat trick. There will be no complacency, as we have a long way to go before we knock anyone of their perch. I believe that 4 members of my team have recently returned from a hugely successful winter training camp in Killarney. This is the dedication we will need if we are to be successful against the formidable management team our opposition has put in place for the battle ahead. Captain Peter, firstly, I am delighted to invite you into battle and am greatly looking forward to a successful and enjoyable series of matches, whatever the outcome. I would hope that we can deliver an event that will help to ensure that the Sean Chairde rightfully remains a date in the diary that people are desperate to be a part of. I am looking forward to working with you and I wish you the best of luck for this years event. You will forgive me for wishing for a little more luck for myself. I have a 'bottler' tag to banish following my drubbing at the hands of Marcus on my previous effort. If only we had a few more halves that year!! This year Peter and I will be ably assisted by two great Sean Chairde warriors - Mr Richard Glavin and Mr Shane O'Reilly - it is great to have two of the giants of our game back in the fold. The two lads are a huge part of the very core of the Sean Chairde and will help to make the next two years of battle very special. On a side note - I suggest that we organise a little 4ball soon to get things rolling?? Last year was yet another successful year and I cannot remember a year which my own team enjoyed more. They were focused, confident and ruthless and yet still managed to party themselves to a standstill. There were many starring roles. Barry Maher was untouchable. Captain Nestor found some of his old form to deliver a huge week on the course. Johnny Hayes completed a stunning week with a huge scalp in the singles. And what can I say about the MVP, Shay Kirwan, brilliant golf, superb motivational skills and nerves of steel at the business end. RIP Tom. Congratulations to Barry on a wonderful and resounding victory. Hard luck to Barry Orr but your generosity of spirit and exemplary behaviour despite the severest of provocation from the 'usual suspects' must be greatly commended. I hope Peter and I can successfully fill the very large shoes we inherit from you. This years event will no doubt see a few new faces, John Connell being the first, and you are very welcome to this exclusive club. I look forward to meeting you over the months ahead. To my opposition I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you all again in the 'Manor'. To my own team I look forward to another successful year and hope to have a few get-togethers before the big week. Sean Chairde 2015 is getting close so let the countdown begin!! Lastly, to the boring but important bit. As you are all aware there is a huge amount of hard work that goes into organising such a big event. Each and every one of us can make this a little easier by following the requests of the committee in a timely manner. Early payment of subs is a huge help to cashflows and if you can't manage this I suggest the monthly direct debit facility as this helps the committee to budget and commit to dates for payments of deposits, etc. We will be returning to the exceptional Adare Manor for a third year. All details will be up on the website soon. The first match will tee off on Thursday the 20th August at 12.30. To the victor the spoils!! See you all soon, Karl.
Dear Sean Chairde and Captain Karl Firstly, I would like to thank Karl for the invitation to take up arms in what I have no doubt will be a historic battle in the familiar Adare Manor. I would also like to echo Karl’s sentiments which he has put so well in his Captain’s letter below. I am really looking forward to working with you during the year to deliver an event which will keep the Sean Chairde as the No.1 event in everyone’s diary. I would also like to thank both Immediate Past Captains. One memory that will stay with me for some time was during our Singles match, after I hit my trusty 3 iron straight up the middle of the 7th fairway, Karl landed his first drive in the lake on the right, after repeating his first drive two more times he graciously conceded the hole only to be met with a “what the Fuck do you think you are doing” by his captain Barry! I have clearly convinced myself that this obviously had nothing to do with my golf and the fact that maybe Barry still thought Karl had a chance to win the hole even playing his 7th off the tee but was just the enthusiasm of a Captain that was clearly hungry for victory!! I of course have to thank Barry Orr for giving me the opportunity to Captain this year’s team, having worked with Barry last year I have to say that there isn’t much I would do differently, true to Barry’s form, he took a gamble on sending the exact same pairings out in the Friday foursomes as had received a trashing in the Thursday 4ball, had he pulled it off it most certainly would have gone down in SC history, unfortunately it was not to be and it left him an uphill mountain to climb! This did not deter our Captain who inspired all the way and the SC was once again treated to an incredible final day of singles matches, even if they were all bought and paid for the previous night! As Karl has mentioned in his letter, this year will see the introduction of John Connell onto our team and I am delighted to welcome John on board, if there was a Captains pick I would have to admit it would have been John, not only for his ability on the course but also for his ability in the bar, fortunately John is also ex CBC so he will know what to expect from the likes of Hussey and Co!! Finally, I am honoured to be working with Shane and Ritchie this year and I know how important this year’s victory will be for them to set down a marker for 2016. As always, the SC couldn’t and wouldn’t be the event it is today without all the hard work and effort from the committee (Rob, Alan, Barry and Shane) so big thanks to them and get those payments started. So roll on August, best of luck to Karl and his team and may the best team win :-D Kind Regards Peter.