West Waterford Golf Club created a little piece of golfing history at Thurles last evening when they captured their first senior provincial pennant by defeating Douglas in the postponed final of the Munster section of the Bulmers Irish Senior Cup.

Even though the Dungarvan side came through on a 4-1 margin, it was a contest full of outstanding golf and in the end probably hinged on the outcome of the top match, in which left hander Mark Shanahan held off a magnificent late rally by Cormac Finn to claim a precious point for his side.

Shanahan looked comfortable when he stood three ahead after 14 holes but he lost the 15th and 17th to immaculate birdies by Finn.

The Douglas man also birdied the long 18th but this time Shanahan was equal to the challenge and also made four to wrap up the match.

Seamus Power, an international and interprovincial golfer of distinction, also produced the goods late on for West Waterford as he edged out his Munster teammate Karl Bornemann by 3&1 as he shot a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th.

Philip Spratt was generally in control of his clash with Eoin Harris and clinched West Waterford's victory at the 15th.

But Douglas were full of fight in the other two matches on the course when they were called in. Brian Cahill came from three down to draw level with Gary Hurley at the 18th while Kieran Canty and David Curran were also level pegging after 15.

West Waterford now go forward to their first All-Ireland finals at Tullamore on September 18 and 19.

Irish Senior Cup, Munster section: West Waterford 4 Douglas 1, West Waterford names first, M Shanahan bt C. Finn 1 hole; G Hurley halved with B Cahill; S Power bt K Bornemann 3 and 1; P Spratt bt E Harris 4 and 3; D Curran halved with K Canty.