Crangle out to mangle rivals as crown goes on line in Ierne

Niall Scully

THE Loughlinstown Lion, John Ross Crangle, will be heading over the Toll Bridge tomorrow.

JR will be defending his Dublin Gents Strokeplay title at Ierne. He'll be in good company.

Two of the players he rates highly are in the field -- Derek Courtney of Glenville and Darren O'Reilly from CPM.

Ierne is the perfect setting. It nestles in a sporting heartland. Across the Richmond Road, the echo of the Drums can still be heard.

Crangle is an example to any player of what hard work can bring. He began playing in Loughlinstown when he was 10.

They gave him a handicap of 18. Hours and hours of practice on his summer holidays crafted the player you see today.

He especially admires the dedication of Cork's Ray Murphy, Ireland's number one who continues to lift the standard of the sport.

There will be much to admire at Ierne tomorrow, where the Inter and Junior events will also take place.