135 Year Wait Is Over For Fortwilliam

Fortwilliam secured a historic first Women’s All-Ireland title in the club’s 135-year history in a nail-biting AIG Minor Foursomes final against Westmanstown at Thurles Golf Club.

Fortwilliam opened the scoring with a 4&3 victory for club captain Eilish Rutherford and Liz Lamont before Westmanstown answered back with a 3&2 win for Mary Higgins and Mary Walshe.

Match four went the way of Fortwilliam as Jo McKenna and Mandy Mills put the Ulster side in front with a 3&2 win, meaning the destination of the green pennant would come down to the outcome of match two.

The Dublin side held a 1up lead thru 16 holes as the final looked destined for a playoff, but Joan Campbell and Patricia Hesketh mounted a late comeback to bring the tie down the 18th hole.

With a large crowd watching on, Campbell made the all-important six-foot putt to secure a half point, ending a more than century long wait for a Women’s All-Ireland pennant.

“The girls were wonderful,” said team captain Alan Rutherford.

“Both days it went down to the 18th hole but we are absolutely delighted. The girls have been amazing all season. It’s brilliant for our club.”

“It’s massive for us and for our ladies’ section who have never been here before. The last one was in the early 2000s when we won the Junior Cup.”

“We already had our team warming up to go up the extra holes, as a club we have lost so many extra holes finals over the years so to nail it with a six-foot putt is absolutely brilliant.”

For final result click here.

Photo: Fortwilliam crowned 2026 AIG Women’s Minor Foursomes All-Ireland Champions. (Photo: Dan Clohessy/Inpho).