Young Mayo golfer on Ireland team for Home Internationals
The R&A Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals will take place next week as the teams travel to Monifieth Golf Links in Scotland.
Ballyhaunis native John William Burke is joined by Adam Fahey (Portmarnock) and Isaac Oliver (Glasson) as part of the Irish boys' team, fresh off their Nations Cup win at the Carris Trophy.
Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open champion Luke Furlong (Wexford) and McGregor Trophy winner Ollie McEvoy (Ballycastle) also earn a call-up, with Patrick Martin (Carrick-on-Shannon), John Moran (Portmarnock) and Harry O’Hara (Clandeboye) rounding out the team.
West of Ireland Women’s champion Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills), Hannah Lee McNamara (Royal Portrush) and Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford) all return to the girls' side having competed at this event in Cork last year.
Kayleigh Mulholland (Moyola Park) and Emma Vinarcik (Tralee) earn another call-up having been a part of the European Girls’ Team Championship side, while Claudia O’Donoghue (Douglas) and Jessica Reynolds (Co. Sligo) complete the line-up.
Meanwhile, Ireland have also selected their teams ahead of the R&A Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals in Woodbrook next week.
The action takes place at the Co. Wicklow venue from August 4 to 6, with two of Ireland’s European Amateur Team Championship gold medallists’ part of the men’s side.
Thomas Higgins made the winning putt that sealed victory for Ireland in Estonia, and the Roscommon golfer will be joined by John Doyle and fellow Fota Island member David Howard, Bridgestone Order of Merit leader Gerard Dunne (County Louth), North of Ireland champion Dylan Keating (Seapoint), Connacht and Ulster Stroke Play winner David Kitt (Athenry), reigning Mullingar Scratch Trophy champion Fionn Dobbin (Malone), Dutch Junior Open champion Gavin O’Neill (Malahide) and 2024 West of Ireland champion Keith Egan (Carton House).
The women’s side will look to retain their crown after they were victorious at Woodhall Spa last year. Gillian O’Leary’s side claimed victory by a half match point over England, going undefeated in an impressive performance on English soil.
Flogas Irish Girls' Amateur Open champion Olivia Costello (Roscommon), South of Ireland Women’s champion Anna Abom (Edmondstown), Elm Park’s Emma Fleming and Clandeboye golfer Rebekah Gardner all return from that 2025 winning side.
They will be joined by East of Ireland Women’s champion Kate Dillon (Oughterard), while Katie Poots (Knock) and Jessica Ross (Clandeboye) are part of the selection once again having teed up at the European Ladies Team Championship at PGA National Slieve Russell this month.