Three Irish golfers have been named in the eight-strong Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup side to face the USA at Sunningdale from 30 August to 1 September.

Kirkistown Castle’s Beth Coulter, Douglas’ Sara Byrne and Lahinch’s Áine Donegan will play under captain Catriona Matthew, while Elm Park’s Anna Foster is first reserve.

Coulter (20), who is currently participating in the match play stages of the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship in Roscommon, said she is thrilled to be selected.

"It's very surreal,” Coulter said. “We were coming up here yesterday, and I took my phone off do not disturb when I got the call from Catriona Matthew. I just looked at my Dad and was like, 'Oh God, this is happening’.

"With three Irish on the team, it's going to be really exciting. I know a lot of us have worked really hard for this over the last number of years. 

“We have come up through the ranks together, Sara and Áine are two of my best friends in golf. This is the pinnacle and to get to do that with them, it's really really cool.

"The three of us were at that Curtis Cup in 2016, there is a photo of me and Áine standing together. Even just looking at that, when we got selected, we sent it to each other, and we were like, we're going to do this together now.

"Irish golf has made really great strides for women. You seen that at Europeans, we had the best finish for the last 41 years. 

“That's down to the great work that the coaches and the panels are doing with us; it's starting to pay off."

Matthew, who led Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup victories, is the first professional to captain the side.

“I’m really looking forward to the match at Sunningdale,” the Scot said. “We have selected eight players who we believe provide us the best opportunity of regaining the Curtis Cup against the United States of America on home soil.

“This role means a lot to me. When I was an amateur golfer, getting in the Curtis Cup side was always the main focus. I was lucky enough to play in it three times.

“With all my experience as a professional in the Solheim Cup, as a player and captain, I’ve enjoyed the chance to go back to where it all started. I’m really excited about leading the team at Sunningdale.”

The top five players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking - world number one Lottie Woad, Hannah Darling, Byrne, Coulter and Euphemie Rhodes - and three selections make up the GB&I side. 

Sisters Euphemie and Patience Rhodes are the first siblings to compete in the match since Leona and Lisa Maguire in 2010.

Great Britain & Ireland team: 

• Sara Byrne (Douglas),

• Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle),

• Aine Donegan (Lahinch),

• Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe, Scotland),

• Lorna McClymont (Milngavie, Scotland),

• Euphemie Rhodes (Burnham & Berrow, England),

• Patience Rhodes (Burnham & Berrow, England),

• Lottie Woad (Farnham, England). 

Reserves: Anna Foster (Elm Park); Nellie Ong (Eaton, England).