A large crowd gathered to welcome the Irish ladies team back to Dublin Airport on Monday night. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.

Leona Maguire smashes record at Portuguese Open

Leona Maguire continued her march of triumph in the Portuguese Ladies Championship when she clinched the title by 15 shots at the Aroeira Golf Club near Lisbon yesterday. The 16-year-old, from Slieve Russell Golf Club who is also a meber of Co Cavan, took an eight-shot lead into the final round and proved unstoppable as she scored a four-under-par 68 for a total of 274 (14-under). Her nearest challengers were Karolin Lampert (Germany) and Holland's Karlijn Zaanen, who each finished on 289, one-over-par. Leona's twin sister Lisa shot a level-par 72 for 292 and 10th place, which made her the next best finisher from Britain and Ireland. The Ballyconnell twins combined to win the Nations Cup section of this prestigious tournament for Ireland. Over 80 of the top women amateurs in Europe compete in this championship. Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush) and Gillian O'Leary (Cork), who was the 2004 champion, had final rounds of 75 (306 total) and 79 (308 total) respectively. The victory was all the more special for the Maguires as, revealed father Declan, they went to Portugal intending to dedicate their performance to their grandfather, Aidan McGovern of Templeport, who died suddenly on January 8 when the family were in Florida. Lisa recovered well from a rain-interrupted second round in which she shot 76 to help her sister win the team event. Curtis Cup star Leona totally outstripped the field with her relentless sub-par golf. On a tree-lined course which played logn due to rain, Leona's form was absolutely sensational, with irish coach Shane O'Grady revealing to The Anglo-Celt that he felt she was capable of shooting a 60 in her first round. Lisa and Leona arrived home to Dublin airport to a warm reception at 10.30pm on Monday night. Among those in attendance were Minister Brendan Smith, Cllr Peter McVitty, family, friends and officials of the Slieve Russell and Co Cavan Golf Clubs as well as the Irish Ladies Golfing Union. The girls will get back down to earth tomorrow and will work towards the next tournament,†stated proud father Declan Maguire. “They are very focused and I know Lisa will be chomping at the bit to do well in Spain.†“They practise hard, they put in a lot of time and they work really hard,†stated mother Breda, “and it's great to see their hard work paying off.†Champion Leona spoke eloquently and modestly on her return. “I'd like to thank everyone for coming out to meet us,†she said, “I'd like to thank Mam, Dad and [brother] Odhran for their support and help and our coach Shane for planning the course and making sure my swing was alright all week. “I'd also like to thank Mairtín and all the people at the Slieve Russell and the Quinn family - myself and Lisa wouldn't be here without them.†Next up for Lisa and Leona will be the Spanish Open in Madrid next month.