Ireland name women's and girls' squads for 

European team championships

 

IRISH GOLF UNION NEWS RELEASE

The European Ladies and Girls’ Team Championships are taking place in Iceland and Norway respectively from July 5 to 9. 

Ireland are fielding two extremely strong teams and will be looking to secure a top place finish in both Championships.

 

The ladies team includes GB and I Curtis Cup stars Olivia Mehaffey (RCDL) and Maria Dunne (Skerries). Mehaffey has several titles under her belt this year, including the Irish Close, Irish Open Stroke Play and Welsh Ladies Open Stoke Play Championships. 

Dunne, a leader and role model for many of her team-mates, finished third at the Scottish Open Stroke Play and secured 2 from 4 points which greatly helped GB and I lift the Curtis Cup at Dun Laoghaire last week.

 

They will also be joined by US based Jessica Carty (Holywood), who was recently named Summit League Golfer of the Year, Louise Coffey (Malone) who won the Woodbrook Scratch Cup and reached the Irish Close final at Lahinch, Jessica Ross (Donaghadee), who finished runner-up at both the Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play and the R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament and last but not least Sinead Sexton (Lahinch), Irish Close leading qualifier and semi-finalist.

 

Sinead Keane (Royal Curragh/Naas) is captaining the ladies team for a third year running and will also add invaluable experience as a past international player. She is joined by ILGU High Performance Coach and PGA Professional Donal Scott.

 

For further information on the European Ladies’ Amateur Team Championships please visit the official website HERE. Live Scoring will be available HERE (commencing 5 July).

 

European Ladies Team Championships - Oddur GC (Iceland)
Jessica Carty (Holywood)
Louise Coffey (Malone)
Maria Dunne (Skerries)
Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co. Down Ladies)
Jessica Ross (Clandeboye)
Sinead Sexton (Lahinch)

Non Travelling Reserve: Paula Grant (Lisburn)

Team Captain: Sinead Keane (Royal Curragh/Naas)
Team Coach: Donal Scott

 

The girls’ are fielding a great team, all of whom have experience of golfing at an elite level. Rachel Thompson (Cork) will make her first International debut after a stunning year of consistent and noticeable scoring. The Cork native finished tied 21^st at the Welsh Ladies Open Stroke Play and showcased her skills at Lahinch for the Irish Close Championship.  

She will join Munster Champion Valerie Clancy (Killarney), 2015 Junior Vagliano players Mairead Martin (Killarney) and Annabel Wilson (Lurgan), the Island’s Julie McCarthy and Lurgan member Niamh McSherry.

 

Birr’s Gemma Butler will captain the team for the second consecutive year and Chris Jelly, ILGU High Performance Girls’ Coach will travel with the team.

 

For further information on the European Girls’ Amateur Team Championships please visit the official website HERE. Live Scoring will be available HERE (commencing 5 July).

 

European Girls Team Championships – Oslo GC (Norway)
Valerie Clancy (Killarney)
Mairead Martin (Killarney)
Julie McCarthy (Forrest Little)
Niamh McSherry (Lurgan)
Rachel Thompson (Cork)
Annabel Wilson (Lurgan)
 

Non Travelling Reserve: Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden)
 

Team Captain: Gemma Butler (Birr)
Team Coach: Chris Jelly

 

Sarah Crowe | Public Relations

Irish Ladies Golf Union