Offaly golfer continues great return to amateur ranks with international selection

AN Offaly golfer has maintained his flying return to amateur ranks by winning international selection once again.

Tullamore native Stuart Grehan is one of the six strong Irish senior mens' team named for the European Amateur Team Championships at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club next month.

It is the latest accolade for the now Louth resident following his return to amateur ranks this year after several years as a professional, giving it his best shot on various European superior tours. He had turned professional after a very successful amateur career, capturing some of Ireland's most prestigious prizes but unfortunately not making the big breakthrough into the top tier.

Now married with a child and living in Baltray, he is a member of the County Louth Golf Club there and he made an instant impact on his return to amateur, winning the Flogas Irish Mens' Amateur Open and challenging for the West of Ireland championship.

He was a Tullamore Golf Club member during the first phase of his amateur career – younger brother Matthew has also been one of the top golfers in the club for years.

Ireland are looking to win this championship for the first time since 2008 when one Shane Lowry was one of the stars. Lowry's life changed when he won the Irish Open as an amateur a year later, ironically at what is now Grehan's home course in Baltray – he immediately turned professional, embarking on a phenomenally successful career.

Both the European mens' and boys' championships will take place in Killarney between July 8 and 12. There will be two rounds of stroke play on the first two days before match play, with the eight teams who are still in contention for a medal then playing two foursomes and five singles, as the Final takes place on Saturday.

Grehan will be joined on the team by his County Louth team mate, Gavin Tiernan who secured his place after making the final at one of golf's biggest amateur events, the Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges in Kent this week.

They are joined by another exciting teenager, John Doyle (Fota Island), who has already claimed the Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Championship and Munster Stroke Play in Cork this year.

Doyle’s runner-up finish at the St Andrews Links recently was another huge step forward while Roscommon golfer Thomas Higgins had a fantastic T6 there to help secure his spot on this team.

The team is completed bu the 2024 Irish Mens' Open Amateur Championship, Matt McGlean, Malone GC and fellow former Walker Cup star Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk).

The Irish Boys’ team has also been announced ahead of their trip to Golf Resort Kaskada Brno in Czech Republic.

John William Burke (Ballyhaunis), Caelan Coleman (Galway Bay), Adam Fahey (Portmarnock), Louis Goodman (Co Louth), Isaac Oliver (Glasson) and William O’Riordan (Greystones) will form the team.

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Ireland Men:

John Doyle (Fota Island)

Stuart Grehan (Co Louth)

Thomas Higgins (Roscommon)

Matthew McClean (Malone)

Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk)

Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth)

Support Team:

Captain - Damien Coyne (Tuam)

Manager - Mark O’Sullivan (Laytown & Bettystown)

Coach - Michael Collins

Ireland Boys:

John William Burke (Ballyhaunis)
Caelan Coleman (Galway Bay)
Adam Fahey (Portmarnock)
Louis Goodman (Co Louth)
Isaac Oliver (Glasson)
William O’Riordan (Greystones)

Support Team:

Captain - John Carroll (Cork) 

Manager - James Corcoran 

Coach - Stephen Hood