Ireland teams named for European Men's and Women's Team Championships
Aine Donegan (Lahinch) tees off in the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Ballybunion Golf Club © Golffile | Thos Caffrey

Aine Donegan (Lahinch) tees off in the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Ballybunion Golf Club © Golffile | Thos Caffrey

Golf Ireland has announced two six-strong teams to represent Ireland at the European Amateur Team Championships next month.

The men’s team will travel to PGA Catalunya in Spain with recent Walker Cup representative Mark Power (Kilkenny), Marc Boucher (Carton House), Hugh Foley (Royal Dublin), Matt McClean (Malone), Robert Moran (Castle) and Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) with Bandon’s John Carroll as captain.

The women’s team will take home advantage to Royal County Down as Irish golf hosts the European Women’s Team Championship for the first time since 1979 at Hermitage Golf Club, where Ireland took the top spot.

AIG Irish Women’s Close Champion Anna Foster (Elm Park) and runner-up Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) will be joined on the team by Sara Byrne (Douglas), Aine Donegan (Lahinch), Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) and Annabel Wilson (Lurgan).

Past-international and Women’s Senior Amateur Champion Laura Webb (East Berkshire) will Captain the side. 

Mark Power (IRL) during the 2018 African Amateur Championship © Golffile | Tyrone Winfield

Mark Power (IRL) during the 2018 African Amateur Championship © Golffile | Tyrone Winfield

European Men’s Team Championship:

6 – 10 July, PGA Catalunya, Spain

Marc Boucher (Carton House)

Hugh Foley (Royal Dublin)

Matt McClean (Malone)

Robert Moran (Castle)

Mark Power (Kilkenny)

Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) 

  • Team Captain: John Carroll (Bandon)

  • Team Manager: John McKinstry (Cairndhu)

  • Team Coach: Eamonn O’Flanagan

 

European Women’s Team Championship:

6 – 10 July, Royal County Down, Northern Ireland

Sara Byrne (Douglas)

Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle)

Aine Donegan (Lahinch)

Anna Foster (Elm Park)

Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden)

Annabel Wilson (Lurgan)

  • Team Captain: Laura Webb (East Berkshire)

  • Team Coach: Donal Scott