Congratulation & thanks to all...

Almost a hundred hopefuls contested the European Championship gents team trial in showery conditions at Lakeside (Templemore) on Saturday.

The excellent course (meticulously prepared in advance by a terrific troop of Templemore volunteers, marshaled by trial participants Michael Fennell and Noel Stapleton) provided a true test for most of Ireland’s top players.

Hillview’s Paul Sweeney led the thirteen qualifiers for the final round by shooting eighteens of 48 and 47 for the opening 36 holes.

Four-time National individual champion Damien Fleming (Deerpark) lay poised, one stroke behind at that stage, on 96, a total matched by multiple Dublin champion Chris Gallagher (Lucan).

Playing in the final group, Fleming posted a closing 49 for a 54-hole aggregate of 145 (-17) to clinch the first automatic spot on the Ireland team.

Close behind on 16 under par came European Team championship veteran John Walsh (Collins) and 2023 National Matchplay champion, Stephen O’Reilly (Hillview), necessitating a play-off for the second automatic spot on Ireland’s sextet for Lucan. Walsh signed for 48, the best of the final round to tie on 146 with O’Reilly, who closed with a 49.

The play-off was contested over six holes. A two shot swing on the very first hole (birdie for Walsh, bogey for O’Reilly) gave the Corkman the advantage and John Walsh held on to earn the opportunity of adding to his European Team Championship winning medal haul (he previously helped Ireland to victories in 2003 and in 2005).

Stephen O’Reilly’s disappointment quickly evaporated when he was awarded a wildcard pick by Team Manager Paddy Kelly (Trim).

Saturday’s trial was also a ranking event and 2023 National Strokeplay champion Stephen Shoer scored 49+51=100 to qualify for the final eighteen, thereby earning enough ranking points to jump into No. 3 slot in the rankings and clinch his place in the team for Lucan.

Kieran Earls (Bruff) and Eamon Gibney (Castletowen) were already assured of their places on the team, by virtue of their No. 1 and No. 2 ranking positions respectively.

 

With thanks to John Manning for the above report.

Latest National News

European Gents Team Championship overview

Updates

European Trial Preview

National Strokeplay Championship - St. Annes 9th & 10th August

Gents European Team Championship Trial - Saturday 14th June

Latest Regional News

PPI Affiliation

Galway Masters June 1st

Galway Masters at Mellows

Kilbeggan - Bob Gorman Memorial Open Scotch Foursomes.

Old County Open 2025