Home Internationals teams announced
Caption: Ireland won the Women’s Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa last year
Photo: England Golf
Ireland have 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 County Wicklow venue from 4-6 August 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 who will also be looking to add to Irish team success this year. Doyle’s fellow Fota Island member David Howard also earns a call up to the side having had a remarkable summer that has seen him tee up at The Open in Royal Birkdale before making a run to the semi-final of the South of Ireland this week.
Bridgestone Order of Merit leader, Gerard Dunne (County Louth), earns his way into the team thanks to his impressive form this season. North of Ireland champion Dylan Keating (Seapoint), Connacht and Ulster Stroke Play winner David Kitt (Athenry) and reigning Mullingar Scratch Trophy champion Fionn Dobbin (Malone) are also included while Dutch Junior Open champion Gavin O’Neill (Malahide) and 2024 West of Ireland champion Keith Egan (Carton House) round out the nine-man squad.
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 Girl’s 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.
The R&A Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals will also take place next week as the teams travel to Monifieth Golf Links in Scotland.
West of Ireland Women’s champion Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills), Hannah Lee McNamara (Royal Portrush) and Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford) all return to the 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 lineup.
Fresh from their Nations Cup win at the Carris Trophy, John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock) and Isaac Oliver (Glasson) are a part of the Boys’ side. 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.
Men’s Team:
Fionn Dobbin (Malone)
John Doyle (Fota Island)
Gerard Dunne (Co Louth)
Keith Egan (Carton House)
Thomas Higgins (Roscommon)
David Howard (Fota Island)
Dylan Keating (Seapoint)
David Kitt (Athenry)
Gavin O’Neill (Malahide)
Team Captain – Damien Coyne (Tuam)
Team Coach – Michael Collins
Women’s Team:
Anna Abom (Edmondstown)
Olivia Costello (Roscommon)
Kate Dillon (Oughterard)
Emma Fleming (Elm Park)
Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye)
Katie Poots (Knock)
Jessica Ross (Clandeboye)
Team Captain – Gillian O’Leary (The Island)
Team Coach – Donal Scott
Boys’ Team:
John William Burke (Ballyhaunis)
Adam Fahey (Portmarnock)
Luke Furlong (Wexford)
Luke McCan (Killarney Golf and Fishing Club)
Ollie McEvoy (Ballycastle)
Patrick Martin (Carrick-on-Shannon)
John Moran (Portmarnock)
Harry O’Hara (Clandeboye)
Isaac Oliver (Glasson)
Team Captain – John Carroll (Cork)
Team Coach – Stephen Hood
Girls’ Team:
Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills)
Hannah Lee McNamara (Royal Portrush)
Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford)
Kayleigh Mulholland (Moyola Park)
Claudia O’Donoghue (Douglas)
Jessica Reynolds (Co.Sligo)
Emma Vinarcik (Tralee)
Team Captain – Brenda Craig (Roganstown)
Team Coach – Chris Jelly
