Ireland's Gavin Tiernan and Stuart Grehan named in Walker Cup team
Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan in action on the opening day of the European Amateur Team Championship at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club. (Inpho Sports Photography / Laszlo Geczo
Co Louth duo Gavin Tiernan and Stuart Grehan have been named in the Great Britain and Ireland team to face the United States of America in the 50th Walker Cup match at Cypress Point from September 6-7.
Grehan (32) only returned to the amateur ranks this season, but after declaring the 2026 Walker Cup at Lahinch his big goal, he made the team with a year to spare after an impressive 2025 campaign.
He was only denied a place in the 2017 team at the Los Angeles Country Club when he broke his arm playing football at Maynooth just four months before the matches.
Grehan turned professional later that year, but after regaining his amateur status this season, he claimed the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close title on Sunday to add to his win in the May's Flogas rish Amateur Open.
He also finished third in the European Mid-Amateur Championship before helping GB&I to victory in the recent St Andrews Trophy.
He previously represented GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy against the Continent of Europe at Prince's in 2016.
Tiernan (19) was not on the Walker Cup radar until he shot to prominence by reaching the final of the Amateur Championship in June, where he threatened to become the first pre-qualifier to win.
The East Tennessee State University lost the 36-hole final to Ethan Fang, who will be a member of the USA team at Cypress Point.
Tiernan also finished third in the East of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship at Baltray before representing GB&I in their St Andrews Trophy success.
He was also Ireland's leading points scorer in the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa earlier this month, losing just one of his six matches.
Captain Dean Robertson and his selectors included all nine of the players who won the St Andrews Trophy, including Luke Poulter, son of Ian, and fellow Englishman Tyler Weaver.
Scottish duo Cameron Adam and Connor Graham, who both qualified to compete in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, are included with Graham the only returning player in the team that lost to the USA 14½-11½ at St Andrews.
Another Scot, Niall Shiels Donegan, is also included after his run to the semi-finals of the US Amateur Championship at Olympic Club last weekend, while Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty is named as the reserve.
Robertson said: "This talented team represents the very best in skill, unity, resilience and determination and each player is thoroughly deserving of the opportunity to compete in the Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland.
"I've been watching the players over a long period to understand their personalities and attributes to meet the demands presented by Cypress Point.
"We are underdogs, but I'm confident we are equipped to compete at the highest level and will give it our best shot. We are travelling to Cypress Point to embrace the challenge, honour the legacy of the Walker Cup and aim to make history by reclaiming this famous trophy."
Golf Ireland's High Performance Director, Neil Manchip, added: "Selection for the Walker Cup is a huge honour for any player, and I'm absolutely delighted for Stuart and Gavin.
"To represent Great Britain and Ireland at a venue as special as Cypress Point is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
"We had a very strong group of Irish players pushing for places again this year. Stuart's form over the summer has been superb and Gavin has shown his quality at the very highest level of amateur golf too.
"Both have earned this opportunity, and I know they will bring a lot to the team.
"I'm also thrilled to see John Doyle selected for the Jacques Léglise team, another wonderful honour and John is very deserving of his place given the brilliant season he is having. We wish him well in Belgium this week."
GB&I is bidding to win the famous trophy for the first time since 2015, when Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin played in the side that won 16½-9½ at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The US team was completed on Sunday with US Amateur Championship winner Mason Howell, Stewart Hagestad, Jacob Modleski, Tommy Morrison and Jase Summy picked to join the previously selected Fang, Jackson Koivun, Ben James, Michael La Sasso and Preston Stout.
GB&I Team for Walker Cup at Cypress Point, September 6-7
Cameron Adam, Scotland, Royal Burgess, 22
Eliot Baker, England, Tiverton, 22
Dominic Clemons, England, Gog Magog, 23
Charlie Forster, England, Basingstoke, 22
Connor Graham, Scotland, Blairgowrie, 18
Stuart Grehan, Ireland, County Louth, 32
Luke Poulter, England, Woburn, 21
Niall Shiels Donegan, Scotland, Meadow Club, 20
Gavin Tiernan, Ireland, County Louth, 19
Tyler Weaver, England, Bury St Edmunds, 20.
Reserve: Caolan Rafferty, Ireland, Dundalk, 32
