Offaly golfers named on high performance panels

TWO Offaly golfers have been selected on the Golf Ireland high performance panels for 2027. Rahan woman Ella Cantwell and Tullamore's Stuart Grehan are among the 25 players named by Golf Ireland this week.

Cantwell, Esker Hills, is making the step up from the girls U18 high performance panel along with Royal Portrush's Lee McNamara – Lee's father Ronan is from Banagher and won an All-Ireland minor hurling medal with Offaly in 1989.

Cantwell had an outstanding 2026, the highlight was when she was crowned the inaugural West of Ireland Womens' Amateur Open while McNamara claimed her first Bridgestone Order of Merit title.

Grehan's selection was ineitable after a sensational 2026. He starred for Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup, Ireland in their European Amateur Team Championship win and had a stunning success in the British Amateur Open. Now playing out of County Louth Golf Club in Baltray, Grehan returned to amateur ranks last year after trying to make it as a professional for a few years. He started off his career in Tullamore Golf Club, winning some of the country's biggest titles before turing professional.

Fairhaven Trophy winner Isaac Oliver (Glasson) moves straight from the U18 Boys to the Men’s HP Panel with Adam Fahey (Portmarnock) also making the same move for 2027.

Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open champion Patrick Keeling (Roganstown) also joins a new look men’s selection that welcomes West of Ireland champion Mark Cadden (Roganstown), North of Ireland champion Dylan Keating (Seapoint), Ulster and Connacht Stroke Play champion David Kitt (Athenry), Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit winner Gerard Dunne (Co Louth) and Dutch International Junior Open champion Gavin O’Neill (Malahide) to the fold.

Fellow Co Louth member Gavin Tiernan joins Grehan on the panel and becomes the third player to progress to Golf Ireland's professional pathway programme.

The 2025 Walker Cup star follows in the footsteps of Áine Donegan and Beth Coulter who made their way through the pathway before going on to make strong starts in their professional careers. 

Fionn Dobbin (Malone), John Doyle (Fota Island), Dylan Holmes (Greystones), Keith Egan (Carton House) and David Howard (Fota Island) round out the men’s selection.

The women’s panel sees AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close champion Katie Poots (Knock), Flogas Irish Girls’ Amateur Open champion Olivia Costello (Roscommon), South of Ireland Women’s champion Anna Abom (Edmondstown) and East of Ireland Women’s champion Kate Dillon (Oughterard) all selected once again after their impressive seasons.

They are joined by Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford), Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye), Emma Fleming (Elm Park) and Ellen O’Shaughnessy (Co Louth) who complete the ten- strong selection.

“The last 12 months have been another outstanding year for Irish amateur golf, with team success at European level, strong performances across our international programmes and several players continuing their progression towards the professional ranks,” said Golf Ireland High Performance Director Neil Manchip.

“Winning the European Amateur Team Championship for the first time since 2008 was a particularly special achievement and a testament to the quality and commitment of the players, Damien Coyne and all of the support staff involved.

“Stuart Grehan had a phenomenal year and we are delighted to have him back on the panel in 2027, while his 2025 Walker Cup teammate Gavin Tiernan is now on the professional pathway.

“The High Performance Panels feature a strong mix of experienced performers and emerging talent, with players like Ella Cantwell and Hannah Lee-McNamara rewarded for an amazing year.

“The depth of talent coming through our pathway continues to grow and we’re looking forward to working with this group as they prepare for another busy international season.”

Professional Pathway

Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth)

US based Men’s HP Panel

Fionn Dobbin (Malone)

John Doyle (Fota Island)

Adam Fahey (Portmarnock)

Dylan Holmes (Greystones)

Patrick Keeling (Roganstown)

Gavin O’Neill (Malahide)

Irish based Men’s HP Panel

Mark Cadden (Roganstown)

Gerard Dunne (Co Louth)

Keith Egan (Carton House)

Stuart Grehan (Co Louth)

David Howard (Fota Island)

Dylan Keating (Seapoint)

David Kitt (Athenry)

Isaac Oliver (Glasson)

Captain - Damien Coyne (Tuam)

Selector - Mark O'Sullivan (Laytown & Bettystown)

Coach - Michael Collins

US based Women’s HP Panel

Zoe McLean-Tattan (Romford)

Kate Dillon (Oughterard)

Rebekah Gardner (Clandeboye)

Katie Poots (Knock)

Ellen O’Shaughnessy (Co Louth)

Irish based Women’s HP Panel

Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills)

Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush)

Anna Abom (Edmondstown)

Olivia Costello (Roscommon)

Emma Fleming (Elm Park)

Captain - Gillian O'Leary (The Island)

Selector - Clodagh Walsh (The Island)

Coach - Dónal Scott