Dundalk and Louth represented on High Performance Panel

Golf Ireland confirmed its Men’s and Women’s High Performance Panels for 2026, with a strong local presence among the 25 players selected. Co. Louth’s Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan were named following a remarkable season.

Grehan won both the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open and the AIG Irish Men’s Close to earn an automatic selection after topping the Bridgestone Men’s Tour rankings.

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Dundalk’s provincial Grand Slam winner, Caolan Rafferty, secured second place and joined him as an automatic pick.

Grehan will once again link up with fellow Walker Cup star Tiernan as their achievements have given Louth golf followers plenty to celebrate.

There was further cause for celebration within the women’s ranks, where Ellen O’Shaughnessy of Co. Louth retains her spot among the country’s top amateurs.

Golf Ireland High Performance Director Neil Manchip acknowledged the strength of the talent emerging across both panels.

He said: “Irish amateur golf enjoyed another exceptional year in 2025 with outstanding team and individual performances from our Women’s and Men’s HP players.

“One of the highlights was seeing the historic Vagliano Trophy win for Great Britain and Ireland, and it was fantastic to see Beth Coulter and Áine Donegan play such pivotal roles under Captain Maria Dunne’s leadership.

“Having a record sixteen Irish players tee it up at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, including nine amateurs, speaks volumes about the strength of our Women’s and Girls’ programmes.

“Róisín Scanlon’s victory at the Helen Holm and the impressive runner-up finishes from Gavin Tiernan at The Amateur Championship, John Doyle at the St. Andrews Links Trophy and Olivia Costello at the Spanish Amateur underlines the progress our players are making on the global stage.

“To see Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan represent GB&I at the Walker Cup in Cypress Point was a proud moment and a fitting way to cap a hugely successful year across all levels of Irish golf.”