Inside Track: Quayside golfers score on the double
Inside Track with Joe Carroll
The air down around Dundalk’s Quayside Business Park must be good for golfers. Two who work there have been to the fore in recent times, one of them bringing up a notable hat-trick, the other playing a major part in a team win.
Liam McGailey is a partner in the accountancy firm, CMF, while Stuart Grehan is a financial advisor with the DFM team, headed by Eoin Doohan, himself no mean performer with a putter in his hand.
McGailey’s sporting career began in Gaelic football. He came through the Cumann Peil na nÓg ranks before linking with Clan na Gael. On transferring to St Joesph’s, he played in the Louth senior championship final in the GAA Centenary Year, 1984, won by St Fechin’s.
He veered towards golf when his football days were over, and wasn’t long driving the Dundalk club’s fairways when he collected members’ much-coveted Captain’s Prize.
That was in 1994 – four years later he was on the podium again, regaining his title in splendid fashion.
To win the Captain’s Prize once is an achievement, twice, surely something to write home about.
Three times? Readers can choose the superlative they like best.
This renewal of the event was decided a few weeks ago, and 28 years on from bringing up the double, Liam, playing off 16, overcame a mediocre first round to clinch the title for the third time.
If Shane Lowry is Offaly’s greatest-ever professional, Stuart Grehan has long laid claim to the amateur accolade. The Tullamore native spent a time in the professional ranks before returning to the unpaid game last year.
All of the experience he has gained over the years was vital when the 33-year-old took his place on the Great Britain & Ireland team for the recent Walker Cup clash with the USA, played on a Lahinch course, which wouldn’t be unknown to his Clare-born boss Doohan.
The Walker is the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup and is just as difficult to win. Grehan was the only Irishman on the 11strong home team, which was attempting to win the trophy for the first time since 2015.
His selection was a given following his wins this year of the East of Ireland and the British Open and European Championships. And it was more than likely that because of his current wellbeing, team captain, Dean Robertson, had him front and centre of the GB & I challenge.
Grehan was first out for each session, and after picking up just a half in each of his doubles, which ended with the USA leading by 9-6, he was set the difficult task of going head to head with the world’s leading amateur, Preston Stout, in the singles.
The task wasn’t beyond him. He left himself with a lot to do after a faltering start, but encouraged by a huge following, which included several of his Dundalk work colleagues, family and members of the Co Louth and Tullamore clubs, he edged his way back into contention.
Calling on his best putting strengths, in particular, he finished with a famous 3 & 2 win. This was vital of GB & winning by the narrowest of margins, 13-12.
Grehan, Termonfeckin-based, has a great year to look forward to. His win in the in the British Open qualifies him for a place in Masters at Augusta, and the US Open, going ahead at the famous Pebble Beach course.
So, there we are: When we thought Seán O’Mahony’s GFC and Quay Celtic FC were the docklands’ only standard-bearers, along come a couple to edge their way up alongside, major trophies in hand.