*Jonathan Keane. Photograph: John Sheridan
LAHINCH Golf Club members Aideen Walsh and Jonathan Keane have been selected on to Golf Ireland’s Women’s and Men’s High Performance panels for 2026.
During the 2025 season Aideen from Ennis won the Bridgestone women’s order of merit while Kilfenora native Jonathan became the first local member in fifty seven years to win the South of Ireland championship.
Their selection onto the High Performance panel reflects of the wonderful golf played by both over the past twelve months.
Keane earns his first call-up to the panel alongside West of Ireland champion Dylan Holmes (Greystones) and East of Ireland winner David Howard (Fota Island),
“Irish amateur golf enjoyed another exceptional year in 2025 with outstanding team and individual performances from our Women’s and Men’s HP players,” said Golf Ireland High Performance Director Neil Manchip.
“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,” he added.
