Dunne and Walsh to captain 2025 Vagliano Trophy teams

Maria Dunne and Deirdre Walsh have been reappointed to lead the Great Britain and Ireland Vagliano and Junior Vagliano Trophy teams respectively next year.

The announcement came this morning, as Catriona Matthew OBE was appointed to continue as Captain for the Curtis Cup match against the United States of America at Bel-Air Country Club in 2026.

Sara Byrne, Beth Coulter and Áine Donegan were all part of the historic 10½-9½ Curtis Cup triumph at Sunningdale in September, where GB&I won for the first time in eight years.

In other international matches in 2025, Dean Robertson captains GB&I in the Walker Cup at the Cypress Point Club while Chris King has been reappointed as Captain of GB&I’s Jacques Léglise Trophy team at boys’ level.

Senior Irish international Walsh again leads the GB&I girls’ team for the Junior Vagliano Trophy.

Non-playing captain Walsh steered GB&I to a first-ever victory over the Continent of Europe in the Junior Vagliano Trophy at West Lancashire in August.

Former Curtis Cup player Dunne also returns as Captain of the Vagliano Trophy team.

Royal Hague Golf & Country Club in the Netherlands hosts the Vagliano and Junior Vagliano trophies in June.

“This is a wonderful achievement for both Maria and Deirdre and great to see two Irish women captain these historic teams again next year,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.

“We had a phenomenal 2024 with three of our golfers involved in the successful Curtis Cup team and this is a brilliant way to round of the year, with the Irish to the fore in the Vagliano and Junior Vagliano trophies.

“We look forward to seeing how their teams perform in the Netherlands next summer.”

Deirdre Walsh will captain the Great Britain and Ireland Junior Vagliano team. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile.