Irish have point to prove
At least two members of the Irish team have a point to prove when Dr Kevin Flanagan’s side defends the Raymond Trophy in the Home Internationals at Hillside.
Alan Dunbar and Paul Cutler were bitterly disappointed to be left out of the GB&I Walker Cup side to face the USA next month. It will be interesting to see how they react when Ireland takes on the old enemy, England.
Walker Cup skipper Colin Dalgleish picked seven Englishman, two Scots and just one Irishman in Niall Kearney for the clash with Buddy Marucci’s side at Merion from September 12-13.
“A few of the guys will want to prove themselves this week,” said dubutant Robbie Cannon, the South of Ireland champion. “I’m just so proud to play for Ireland. I can’t wait to get going. This has been a long time coming and I want this cap to be the first of many.”
It appears likely that Cannon will be paired with Connor Doran in the foursomes when Ireland take on Wales on Wednesday.
Kelan McDonagh and Paul O'Kane are the other debut boys in an Irish side that has the experience of new Walker Cup cap Niall Kearney and Irish Close champion Pat Murray.
While Scotland are the World and European Team champions, England will be heavily targeted.
"I'm really excited about the week,” said England skipper Colin Edwards. “We have four new faces and to have seven Walker Cup players in our side is unbelievable.
"That means the expectations are higher than before so meeting us will be everyone's big game. The fact that on the first day we play Scotland having lost to them in the European final, only adds that extra edge.
"But this time there are ten players of our best players in action rather than six."
Teams - * Walker Cup player this year
Ireland
1 Robert Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown)
2 Cian Curley (Newlands)
3 Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
4 Connor Doran (Banbridge)
5 Alan Dunbar (Rathmore)
6 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) *
7 Dara Lernihan (Castle)
8 Pat Murray (Limerick)
9 Kelan McDonagh (Athlone)
10 Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park)
11 Simon Ward (Co. Louth)
Irish Team Captain: Dr. Kevin Flanagan
England
1 Jamie Abbott
2 Tommy Fleetwood*
3 Luke Goddard*
4 Matt Haines*
5 Stiggy Hodgson*
6 Sam Hutsby*
7 Farren Keenan
8 Mathew Nixon
9 Chris Paisley*
10 James Robinson
11 Dale Whitnell*
England team captain: Colin Edwards
Scotland
1 Glenn Campbell
2 Steven McEwan
3 Michael Stewart
4 Ross Kellett
5 Gavin Dear*
6 Keir McNicoll
7 James Byrne
8 Paul O'Hara
9 David Law
10 Wallace Booth *
11 James White
Scotland team captain: Scott Knowles
Wales
1 Nigel Edwards
2 Rhys Enoch
3 Oliver Farr
4 James Frazer
5 Richard Hooper
6 Alistair Jones
7 Rhys Pugh
8 Adam Runcie
9 Luke Thomas
10 Joe Vickery
11 Ben Westgate
Wales team captain: Jeff Thomas