David Kinsella bows out after 50 years with family victory; triumphant Irish Seniors return home
Ross and David Kinsella at Clontarf Golf Club with the FBD Barton Cup after Castle’s victory over the home club. Photo: Ronan Quinlan
As he prepares to retire at the end of the year following 50 years at Castle, David Kinsella celebrated with his son Ross, who was on the winning Castle team in the final of the FBD Barton Cup against Clontarf.
David is familiar with this magnificent trophy as he was on the winning Skerries Golf Club Barton Cup team in 1965.
He has been with Castle for almost fifty years as a professional, having started there as an assistant professional straight from the amateur ranks in 1966. He is a former Captain of the PGA and was Leinster Coach to the GUI for over twelve years. (A function to celebrate his years of service will be held next Saturday.)
Castle beat Clontarf 3-2 in the second lead on away turf on Saturday to win the FBD Barton Cup 6-4 overall.
FBD Barton Cup Final 2015, Clontarf v Castle Golf Club. The winning Castle team, back (l to r): Harry Gleeson, Jack Walsh, Eamon Duggan, Tommy Smyth, Michael Wilson, Fred Shackleton, Rob Stanley, Neil Bourke, Eoghan McKeever, Donal McAuliffe, Barry Fitzpatrick, Peter McKeever, Brendan Meaney and Ken McKervey. Centre: Ross Kinsella, Liam Reynolds, Richard Lenehan, Team Manager, Derry Byrne, Captain, John Ferriter, Chairman of Leinster Golf, John Read, FBD, Brian Gleeson and Jim Mulready. Front: Colm Gleeson and Thomas Harte. Photo: Ronan Quinlan
Runners up, Clontarf. Front (l to r): Michael Kellett, Stephen Kealy, Sean Kellett and Turlough Considine. Centre: Tony Duffy, Sean Carroll, President, Dave Henry, Team Manager, John Ferriter, Chairman of Leinster Golf, Peter Mulvey, Captain, John Read, FBD, Brian Mooney and Ian Maguire, Vice-Captain. Back: Stephen Walsh, Padraig Rice, Sean Stone, Greg Kelly, Michael Fahy, Paul Congdon, Gerry Keevey, Philip Duffy, Paul O’Brien, Patrick Byrne and Conor Murphy. Photo: Ronan Quinlan
Peter McKeever (Castle). Picture: Ronan Quinlan
Eoghan McKeever (Castle). Picture: Ronan Quinlan
Gerry Keevey (Clontarf). Picture: Ronan Quinlan
Eamonn Duggan (Castle). Picture: Ronan Quinlan
Irish Seniors Home in Triumph
European Senior Men's Team Champions for three years in a row. Irish Seniors Team Captain Sean O'Leary with the 2015 European Senior trophy and team members (clockwise) Maurice Kelly, Tommie Basquille (Team Manager), Tom Cleary, Adrian Morrow, Garth McGimpsey, Arthur Pierse and John Mitchell on their return to Dublin Aiport this evening (06/09/2015) after their victory in Bulgaria. Picture by Pat Cashman
European Senior Men's Amateur Team Championship — Three wins in a row and five in 10 editions is a testament to the strength in depth of Irish Seniors golf and it's little wonder there were joyous scenes when the team and officials arrived home on Sunday.
Team Captain Sean O'Leary and manager Tommie Basquille were greeted by supporters as the team of Maurice Kelly, Tom Cleary, Adrian Morrow, Garth McGimpsey, Arthur Pierse and John Mitchell returned with the trophy following their tense, 3-2 win over Italy in Saturday's final at Pravets Golf Club in Bulgaria.
Irish Seniors Team Captain Sean O'Leary (left) and Tommie Basquille (Team Manager) with the 2015 European Senior trophy. Picture by Pat Cashman
Irish Senior International John Mitchell (Tramore) with his wife Jenny. Picture by Pat Cashman
Irish Seniors International Maurice Kelly (Naas) with his wife Ann with the 2015 European Senior trophy. Picture by Pat Cashman