Home Internationals: Six changes and four "new" faces in Irish team
Tramore's Robin Dawson. Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Ireland has named four new faces in the team that will be seeking a fifth successive win in the Home Internationals at Conwy Golf Club in Wales from September 12-14.
AIG Irish Close champion Robbie Cannon from Balbriggan returns to the side after an nine-year absence while Massereene's Tiarnan McLarnon, a debutant in 2016, is recalled following a solid season that included victory in the recent Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
Galway's Ronan Mullarney, Kilkenny's Mark Power, Mallow's James Sugrue and Naas' Jonathan Yates — four players who have excelled in recent seasons — receive their first caps with world No 8 Robin Dawson from Tramore, Castle's Alex Gleeson, Douglas' Peter O’Keeffe, Portmarnock's Conor Purcell and Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty all returning to form the backbone of the side.
With Hermitage's Rowan Lester unavailable due to college commitments, the team presents six changes from 2017 with Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell missing the entire season due to injury and Colin Fairweather (Knock), John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead), Paul McBride (The Island) and Conor O’Rourke (Naas) all turning professional.
Kinsale's John Murphy, who will represent Ireland in next week's Eisenhower Trophy, and Wentworth and Killiney's Eoin Leonard, who reached the Irish Close final and qualified for the US Amateur, were unavailable for selection due to college golf commitments.
Home Internationals, Conwy Golf Club, Wales, 12-14 September:
- Robbie Cannon, Balbriggan
- Robin Dawson, Tramore
- Alex Gleeson, Castle
- Tiarnan McLarnon, Massereene
- Ronan Mullarney, Galway
- Peter O’Keeffe, Douglas
- Mark Power, Kilkenny
- Conor Purcell, Portmarnock
- Caolan Rafferty, Dundalk
- James Sugrue, Mallow
- Jonathan Yates, Naas
- Team Captain: John Carroll (Bandon)
- Team Manager: Niall MacSweeney (Athenry)
- National Coach: Neil Manchip
