logo
Reigning champions Ireland name teams ahead of Home Internationals

Reigning champions Ireland name teams ahead of Home Internationals

Irish Examiner5 days ago
Reigning champions Ireland have selected their teams ahead of the R&A Men's and Women's Home Internationals in England next week.
The action takes place at Woodhall Spa between 6-8 August with Stuart Grehan (County Louth) one of the automatic selections for the Men's team from the Bridgestone Order of Merit.
The Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open champion will add his experience to a strong lineup which also includes his fellow clubman and Amateur Championship finalist, Gavin Tiernan.
John Doyle (Fota Island) will look to continue his brilliant year at Home Internationals and he is joined by another star of Ireland's European Amateur Team Championship campaign, Thomas Higgins (Roscommon).
Second in the Bridgestone Order of Merit, East of Ireland winner David Howard (Fota Island), is also included, as is Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) and Sean Keeling (Roganstown) who were both part of the victorious Irish selection last year.
2024 West of Ireland winner Keith Egan (Carton House) will also take his place in the team alongside last week's South of Ireland champion Jonathan Keane (Lahinch).
Another Lahinch golfer, Aideen Walsh, leads the way in the Bridgestone Order of Merit and was selected for the Women's Home Internationals team.
She will be joined by Olivia Costello (Roscommon) and Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye) who are second and third in that race and both competed in the recent KPMG Women's Irish Open in Carton House.
Anna Abom (Edmondstown) won the low amateur award in last year's KPMG Women's Irish Open and she has also been included, while Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) will add all of her experience.
Emma Fleming (Elma Park) won the Victorian Amateur Championship in Australia earlier this year, she has been included with Anna Dawson (Tramore) completing the selection.
The R&A Boys' and Girls' Home Internationals take place at Cork next week with a strong Girls' selection hoping to back up their recent third-place finish at the European Girls' Team Championship.
Kate Dillon (Oughterard), Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush), Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford) and Róisín Scanlon (Woburn) were all part of that team that won bronze in Slaley Hall. The Tralee duo of Lucy Grattan and Ella Moynihan have also been selected, as has Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills).
John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Caelan Coleman (Galway Bay), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock), Bruce MacDonald (Lisburn), John Moran (Portmarnock), Barry O'Connell (Douglas), Harry O'Hara (Clandeboye), Isaac Oliver (Glasson) and William O'Riordan (Greystones) make up the Boys' team.
Men:
Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint), John Doyle (Fota Island), Keith Egan (Carton House), Stuart Grehan (Co. Louth), Thomas Higgins (Roscommon), David Howard (Fota Island), Jonathan Keane (Lahinch), Sean Keeling (Roganstown), Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth).
Captain: Damien Coyne (Tuam); Manager: Mark O'Sullivan (Laytown & Bettystown); Coach : Michael Collins.
Women:
Anna Abom (Edmonstown), Olivia Costello (Roscommon), Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle), Anna Dawson (Tramore), Emma Fleming (Elm Park), Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye), Aideen Walsh (Lahinch).
Captain: Gillian O'Leary (The Island); Manager: Clodagh Walsh (The Island); Coach: Donal Scott.
Boys:
John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Caelan Coleman (Galway Bay), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock), Bruce MacDonald (Lisburn), John Moran (Portmarnock), Barry O'Connell (Douglas), Harry O'Hara (Clandeboye), Isaac Oliver (Glasson), William O'Riordan (Greystones).
Captain: John Carroll (Cork); Manager; Martin Hynes (Athenry); Coach – Stephen Hood.
Girls:
Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills), Kate Dillon (Oughterard), Lucy Grattan (Tralee), Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush), Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford), Ella Moynihan (Tralee), Róisín Scanlon (Woburn).
Captain: Brenda Craig (Roganstown); Manager: Valerie Clancy (Killarney); Coach: Chris Jelly.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Galway Races tips: English horse trained by an Irishman to win the Galway Hurdle
Galway Races tips: English horse trained by an Irishman to win the Galway Hurdle

Irish Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Galway Races tips: English horse trained by an Irishman to win the Galway Hurdle

It's 15 years since the Guinness Galway Hurdle went for export - the third time in the illustrious race's history. Overturn's success in 2010 was the first British win in the race, which has been running since 1913, since Sagaman's win in 1991 while Rushmoor in 1986 was the first foreign trained winner of the race. Today at Ballybrit we fancy a horse from the UK to capture the big prize, although his trainer is very much born and bred in Ireland. 2.10 - Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase Galway Hurdle day opens with a Novice Chase and the experienced PIED PIPER can maintain his unbeaten run over fences by making it four wins out of four. A top class hurdler, who was second in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle and second and third in the 2023 and 2024 County Hurdle at Cheltenham, he's taken to chasing like a duck to water. He started this summer run at Down Royal in April and has since won novice contests at Roscommon and Killarney and with a mark of 150 it's hard to see him beaten here. Special Cadeau is interesting for the in-form partnership of Henry De Bromhead and Darragh O'Keeffe and has a life having finished runner-up to Nurburgring at Killarney on his last start. TIP: PIED PIPER Each-way: Special Cadeau 2.45 - Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Handicap QUAR SHAMAR gets the vote for Ross O'Sullivan in a devilishly difficult 1m handicap. The German bred was having his first run for that yard having been with Emmet Mullins and Jessica Harrington, when sixth at the Curragh on his most recent start. He can be marked up a bit for that effort having not had a clear run and has dropped a long way in the handicap from a career high rating of 104 to just 81. The Durkans had a good festival here 12 months ago and Bill Silvers could run well at a price with Chris Hayes booked to do the steering. TIP: QUAR SHAMAR Each-way: Bill Silvers 3.20 - Arthur Guinness Irish Corrib Stakes UK-based trainer Ollie Sangster sends a rare runner west at a venue where his late grandfather Robert's colours were regular winners for Ballydoyle in the past. His GLAMIS ROAD comes out of stall two and looks to have a massive chance of building on good runs at Carlisle and Epsom. She's a lightly raced filly who won twice last season and the hustle and bustle of a race like this might just suit her as will coming off a strong pace. Top weight Bellaphina has a chance of making the frame having finished third to the smart Sky Majesty in a Stakes race at Naas on her last start. TIP: GLAMIS ROAD Each-way: Bellaphina 3.55 - Guinness Nursery Handicap We'll go for the old punting trick of backing the top weight in a Nursery here and select GAVOO to reverse recent Curragh form with Which Wolf Wins. David Marnane's colt ran a little green on that occasion and should appreciate the extra furlong here too despite carrying 10st3lbs. Gavin Cromwell's recent Down Royal third Invincible Will is one that might be capable of improvement on handicap debut. TIP: GAVOO Each-way: Invincible Will 4.30 - Guinness Galway Hurdle The big race of the day, if not the week, and one where a huge gamble on the JP McManus-owned Puturhandstogether could have bookies running for cover. We missed the boat there so instead our selection is the UK raider DYSART ENOS, who can give Fergal O'Brien a massive winner on his first visit to Galway. The mare has lots of experience in these types of races having placed in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last year. She was a very smart bumper horse and beat Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace by nine lengths in an Aintree contest back in 2023. She warmed up for this with a spin on the all-weather at Kempton and looks a value bet to become the first British-trained winner since Overturn in 2010. Tipperary native O'Brien's only previous winner in Ireland came in 2014 when the Conor Shoemark-ridden Me And Ben struck at Listowel's harvest festival. There are a host of horses with chances, but last year's runner-up Ndaawi must surely come into consideration having not been seen since chasing home Kargese in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. TIP: DYSART ENOS Each-way: Ndaawi 5.05 - Guinness Novice Hurdle CAMELETTA VEGA is a daughter of six-time Cheltenham winner Quevega and dual Derby winner Camelot and can back up her Cork success in this 2m4f contest. She struggled in bumpers but this type of distance looks more to her liking with her pedigree and it wouldn't be a shock to see her progress into a real nice staying hurdler next season. The mare she beat, Emily Love, ran well here earlier in the week and she's a confident choice TIP: CAMELETTA VEGA Each-way: Ndaawi 5.40 - Guinness 0.0 Handicap Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle are in sensational form at present with the Donegal born rider mounting a serious title challenge with Colin Keane now based in England for a lot of the time. They can win this with GLENROYAL, who should improve for a step up to 1m4f, having made the frame on his last two starts over 1m1f at Ballinrobe and Tipperary. TIP: GLENROYAL Each-way: Astelia Dylan Browne McMonagle (centre) with Joseph O'Brien: will make his Derby debut (Image: PA) 6.10 - Guinness Time INH Flat Race A bumper to finish a marathon eight-race card and one where Willie and Patrick Mullins can send punters home happy with WARTIME LEADER. Second to Shuttle Diplomacy on debut in January 2024 for trainer Pat Doyle, that form has worked out well with Tom Cooper's charge finishing third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He hasn't been seen since but now calls Closutton home and there'll surely be improvement to come from the son of Churchill. TIP: WARTIME LEADER Each-way: Ring Of Kerry

Leona Maguire's form back on even keel as Irish trio get set for AIG Women's Open
Leona Maguire's form back on even keel as Irish trio get set for AIG Women's Open

RTÉ News​

time4 days ago

  • RTÉ News​

Leona Maguire's form back on even keel as Irish trio get set for AIG Women's Open

Time flies and the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour seasons have been no different as the fifth and final major of the year arrives on the horizon. On Thursday, the elite in women's golf will be teeing off at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in south Wales for the prestige of winning the AIG Women's Open and Leona Maguire comes into the tournament in decent form. It hadn't always been that way as the year had ticked into early summer with the Cavan native enduring four missed cuts in a row across May and early June as momentum deserted her. Slowly but surely though the next four LPGA tournaments have been more encouraging, finishing in a tie for 19th at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, T18 at the Dow Championship, joint-seventh at The Amundi Evian Championship and then last week's T16 at the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, although the KPMG Women's Irish Open was not anywhere near as gainful after finishing tied for 48th. That two of those results have been at major events will be a boost to her confidence before she tackles the Royal Porthcawl course. Maguire will be the most experienced of the three Irish competitors in the field, where she will be joined by Anna Foster and Lauren Walsh. Foster had a fruitful Irish Open at Carton House as the Dubliner finished tied for 12th, although Walsh did not make the cut in her home county of Kildare at a venue where she last year signed up to be their official touring professional. Walsh will be the first of the Irish to tee off on Thursday, bright and early at 6.41am, with Maguire next at 7.58am and Foster among the late starters at 3.11pm, having been among the 17 players to make it through final qualifying at Pyle & Kenfig on Monday to take her place in the field. When it comes to potential contenders for victory, much of the attention will be on the player who has been taking the game by storm in recent weeks. England's Lottie Woad said she will block out the noise this week after being installed as the favourite despite it being her first major since turning professional. The 21-year-old former Florida State University student marked her entry into the paid ranks by cruising to a three-stroke victory at last week's Scottish Open. She also won the Irish Open by six strokes as an amateur earlier this month before just missing out on becoming the first amateur to win a major when she was beaten by one stroke by Australia's Grace Kim at the Evian Championship. English amateur Lottie Woad has won the KPMG Women's Irish Open at Carton House 📺 @rteone @rteplayer - — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2025 So it is hardly surprising that Woad, who turned professional after the Evian Championship, has found herself in the spotlight as she arrived in South Wales. Asked about the growing expectation, Woad said it was all part of the learning process. "I don't think you can ever really fully handle it. I definitely feel like I've got a lot better at it," she told reporters. "I just try and block out the noise as much as possible really." Woad finished tied 10th at the Women's Open last year at St Andrews, but said Porthcawl presents a tough challenge. "I think it will be a really good test. We'll see; weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot more to mind off the tee than St Andrews last year. Definitely got to keep in play," she said. "A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you've got to take a chance on the par-5s really." Amongst a high-quality field standing in Woad's way is defending champion Lydia Ko from New Zealand. "She's kind of come out with a bang, and I'm sure she's going to keep continuing to play well," Ko said of Woad. "I don't know a lot about her game personally, but the little that I've seen, she seems super impressive and has that kind of cool, calm, collected demeanour, and that's, I think, pretty important as a player." Olympic champion Ko is playing in Wales for the first time and said she is ready for the elements. "I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I'm coming to play the Women's Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that's what I've gotten to really enjoy about this Championship," she said. "I hope it brings all those elements." World number one Nelly Korda is bidding to win her first British Open after coming tied second last year. She is also expecting big things from former amateur world number one Woad. "Golf is a game of confidence, and she's definitely high up there right now, so she's going to be trusting everything," Korda said. "Her worst finish in the past three events is theoretically second or third. I think she's also riding a confidence high too with how well she's playing."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store