Doneraile golf club Cork

Members Achievements

The Girls’ from Doneraile Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Semi-Final of the Girls’ Inter-Club Championship on Wednesday 30th August 2023 at Castletroy Golf Club when they lost out to Forrest Little Golf Club by 2-matches to 1-match.
In the top match Daire Power (22) lost her match against Grace Dowdall (16) by 5 and 4, she was followed by Eileen Sheehan (37) who had a 4 and 3 win against Emma McDonagh (18) and in the bottom match Danielle Sheehan (45) lost out by 4 and 3 against Amelia Lanagan (22).
They were, drawn against the Girls’ from Kilkenny Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals the previous day and beat the club from the Marble City by 2½-matches to ½-match.  
First on the tee was Daire Power (22) who had a very comfortable 6 and 5 win against Olivia Dunphy (22), next on the tee was Eileen Sheehan (37) who had a 3 and 1 win against Grace Corbett (38) the bottom match of Danielle Sheehan (45) against Laura Rice (44) was halved when called-in.

The Girls’ of Doneraile Golf Club won the Final of the West Munster Girls’ Inter-Club on Wednesday 26th July 2023 at Ballykisteen Golf Club when they beat Dromoland Castle Golf Club by 77 pts to 75pts.

Paula Walsh were selected on the Munster Women’s Interprovincial Championship team at Moyvalley Golf Club from Tuesday 29th August to Thursday 31st August 2023.
Other members of the team were Valerie Clancy (Killarney Golf Club), Lauren Kelly & Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen Golf Club), Clodagh Coughlan & Karen O’Neill (Douglas Golf Club) and Mairead Martin (Kanturk Golf Club).
They were Captained by Mary Dowling (Mallow Golf Club) and Managed by Sinead Enright (Macroom Golf Club).

The Girls' of Doneraile Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland deciders of Girls Inter-Club All-Ireland Series at Ballina Golf Club on 23rd August 2022.
They met the Girls' of Rockmount Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final and recorded a 2½-matches to ½-match win over the Girls from the Co. Down Club.
First on the tee was Niamh O’Sullivan who had to go up the 19th before securing the point against Abbie Poole, she was followed by Muireann O’Sullivan who had a 3 and 2 win against Alexandria Poole and the bottom match of Anna O’Brien against Bethany McIlhatton was halved when called in.
They were drawn against the girls' from Portarlington Golf Club the following morning in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and recorded a 2½-matches to ½-match win over the Girls from the Co. Laois Club.   
First on the tee was Niamh O’Sullivan who halved her match against Jiaren Eina Pang, she was followed by Muireann O’Sullivan who had a very convincing 6 and 5 win against Jiavi Mairead Pang and in the bottom match Anna O’Brien recorded a 5 and 4 win against Leah McEvoy.
They met the girls from Westport Golf Club in the afternoons decider and lost out by 2-matches to 1-match.
Niamh O’Sullivan led them out once more and lost her match by 2-holes against Mary Kate Lonergan, next on the tee was Muireann O’Sullivan lost out to Sarah Corrigan by 2 and 1 and in the bottom match Anna O’Brien had a very convincing 6 and 5 win against Mary Kate McHale. So it wasn’t to be for the girls from West Cork but a great achievement from such a small club.

Paula Walsh was selected on the Munster Women’s Interprovincial team play at Moyvalley Golf Club from 23rd to 25th August 2022, the others on the squad were Caitlin Shippam and Lauren Kelly (Ballykiateen Golf Club), Corrina Griffin (Killarney Golf Club), Aideen Walsh (Lahinch Golf Club) and Clodagh Coughlan and Aoife Ni Thuama (Douglas Golf Club) they were managed by Sinead Enright from Macroom Golf Club and captained by Jean O’Driscoll from Muskerry Golf Club.

Doneraile Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Mixed Foursomes in 2021 when they met Ulster Champions in the decider and beat them by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
Hugh Nolan with Noreen Roche as always led them out against Ryan Wilson with Patricia McDonnell and recorded a very convincing 6 and 5 win to put the first points on the board. They were followed by James O’Mahony with Aoibheann Daly who had to go up the 19th against Colin McClenaghan with Rosemary McCrea before putting their point on the board, next on the tee was Eddie Roche with Rachel Kelleher who won their match by 4 and 3 against Adam Douds with Leonie Power, in the penultimate match Darren Roche with Marie Kelleher lost their match by 6 and 5 against James Robinson with Sue McDonagh and the bottom match of David Finn with Ellen Walsh against Jonathan Patterson with Barbara Fleet was halved when called-in.

They won their regional Final in the Irish Mixed Foursomes and qualify for the All-Ireland Series at Strandhill Golf Club, Co. Sligo from Thursday 30th September to Saturday 2nd October 2021.
They met Baltinglass Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals on Thursday 30th September and won their match by 3-matches to 2-matches.
They were led out by Hugh Nolan with Noreen Roche who had a 1-hole win against Fergal Doogue with Bernie Hennessy, they were followed by James O’Mahony with Aoibheann Daly who lost their match against Nathan Geraghty-Byrne with Teresa Kilcoyne by 3 and 2, next on the tee was Eddie Roach with Rachel Kelleher who had a comfortable 5 and 3 win against Derek Byrne with Lil Flynn, in the penultimate match Darren Roche with Marie Kelleher had to go up the 19th before securing the point and a place in the Semi-Final against Deirmuid Cronin with Geraldine Norton and in the bottom match David Finn with Ellen Walsh lost their match by the minimum against Mark Ashton with Claire Byrne.
Having accounted for Baltinglass by 3-matches to 2-matches on the Thursday they met Tipperary Golf Club the following and won their match by 4-matches to 1-match.First on the tee was Hugh Nolan with Noreen Roche who won their match by 2 and 1 against Sean Long with Siobhan Fitzpatrick, they were followed by James O’Mahony with Aoibheann Daly who halved their match against Thomas O’Donovan with Renagh Murphy, next up was Eddie Roche with Rachel Kelleher who had a comfortable 4 and 3 win against Jamie Keaty with Yvonne Ryan-Daly, in the penultimate match Darren Roche with Marie Kelleher beat Jim McGlynn with Mary Whelan by 2 and 1 and the bottom match of David Finn with Ellen Walsh against Pat Ryan with Joanne Collins was halved when called-in.

The Ladies of Doneraile Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland deciders of the Intermediate Cup at Limerick Golf Club on Thursday 16th September 2021 by winning their Munster Regional Finals and were drawn against Athy Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals; they lost their match by 3-matches to 2-matches.
First on the tee was Eleanor Coughlin who lost her match by 4 and 3 to Amy Kelly, she was followed by Aoibheann Daly who had the most comfortable win of the day when she recorded a 8 and 7 win against Heather Hegarty, next on the tee was Clare Hamilton who lost her match against Siobhan Smyth by 3 and 2, in the penultimate match Helen O’Keeffe also lost her match by 3 and 2 against Joan McDonald-Hyland and in the bottom match Anna Cotter had a comfortable 5 and 4 win against Catherine Moore.  

Paula Walsh was selected to represent Munster in the Ladie’s Interprovincial Matches at Shannon Golf Club from 25th to 27th August 2021, the others on the squad were Corrina Griffin (Killarney Golf Club), Lauren Kelly and Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen Golf Club), Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas Golf Club), Aideen Walsh (Lahinch Golf Club) and Rachel Thompson (Cork Golf Club) they were managed by Sinead Enright from Macroom Golf Club and captained by Orla Barry from Limerick Golf Club.  

Donerail Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes when they beat Tramore Golf Club on the 20th hole at the Gold Coast Golf Club on Saturday 6th August 2016.

They were lead out by Tim O’Mahony with Anne Heffernan who beat Neil Cashin with Sarah Howard by 4 and 3 they were followed by Peter Duane with Anna Cotter who lost out to John O’Brien with Ann Mitchell on the 20th next on the tee was Eddie Roche with Eileen Coleman who also went up the 20th before registering the point against Martin Walsh with Amanda O’Connor in the penultimate match Phelim Cotter with Eleanor Coughlan lost their match against Keith Ridgard with Maeve Enright by 2 and 1 in the bottom match Sean Barrett with Karena Hunter had a 2 and 1 win over Paul Coffey with Orla Darcy.

They made the long journey to Shandon Park Golf Club to compete in the All-Ireland Deciders and were drawn against Leinster Champions Greystones Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Friday 2nd September and were lead out by Tim O'Mahony with Anna Cotter who lost their match by 3 and 2 against D. Byrne with L. Croke next up was Peter Duane with C. Hamilton who beat E. Lonergan with C. Marmion by 2 and 1 they were followed by Eddie Roche with Eileen Coleman who lost their match by 2 and 1 against A. Condron with O. Delaney in the penultimate match Phelim Cotter with Eleanor Coughlan lost out to D. McGabhann with E. Hanley by 2-holes and in the bottom match Sean Barrett with Karena Hunter had 4 and 3 win over M. Looby with G. O'Shea.     

Doneraile Golf Club reached the Semi-Finals of the Munster Senior Cup at Shannon Golf Club on the 17th August 2014 where they met Tramore Golf Club and went down by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
They were lead out by Damien Carey who beat Alan Thomas by 2-holes, he was followed by Tim O’Mahony who lost his match Robin Dawson by 2 and 1, next up was John Hickey who halved his match against Paul Flynn, the penultimate match of David Finn against Chris Butler went 3 and 1 to the Waterford club, in the bottom match Michael Quirke lost out to David Kiely by 5 and 4.

Doneraile Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Barton Shield when they beat Lee Valley by 4-holes at Kinsale Golf Club on 11th August 2012.

They returned to Kinsale Golf Club to compete in the All-Ireland deciders on Wednesday 19th September when they were drawn against Leinster Champions NUI Maynooth Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals.

The first team of David Finn with J. Hickey against C. O’Rourke with J. Yates was a 1-hole win for NUI Maynooth the second match of Adam Carney with T. O’Malley went 3-holes to B. Anderson with G. Hurley and with it a place in the All-Ireland Final.

NUI Maynooth went on and won the All-Ireland when beating a star studded Warrenpoint by 8-holes in the final.

Doneraile Golf Club won the Munster Final of the Barton Shield in 2007, and they made the long trek to Shandon Park Golf Club to represent their Province in the All-Ireland deciders. I must admit to have been a bit surprised to see a small club like Doneraile come out of Munster in this premier Championship in Amateur Club Golf, when one considers the number of very strong clubs that are in the region.

Fair dues to the men from East Cork, who had nothing more than a number of Munster County Club Cup’s to their CV.

They were drawn against Ulster Champions Moyola Park in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals on Wednesday 12th September. First on the tee was Damien Carey with Hugh Nolan against Mark Hammond with Damien McCusker who won their match over the Cork pair by the slimmest of margins, just that single hole. So it was all eyes on the Second match of Dave Finn with Adam Carey against Luke Lennox with Randal Evens, the Doneraile pair were 2-up standing on the 18th tee and did nothing wrong up the final hole to record a famous victory, however it was not to be as Luke Lennox knocked in a 20 foot + putt for a birdie on the 18th to bring the match to extra play-off holes. The same teams went up the 19th which was halved however the Ulster Champions clinched their place in the All-Ireland Final against Galway Golf  Club the following day when the closed out the match on the long Index 3 second play-off hole.

Well done Doneraile Golf Club and the best of luck in the future as you obviously have a strong team that can challenge the best in the highest echelon of Amateur Golf.

Doneraile Golf Club won the Munster Country Clubs Cup for the first time in 1961, when the team was Fr. J. Barry, P. O'Mahony, G. O'Reilly, P. J. Power, A. Mitchell, N. Horgan, S. Nagle and J. J. Quirke.

They won it again in 1965, when the team was P. Morrissey, J. J. Quirke, T. O'Connell, P. O'Mahony, M. Geary and S. Burke.

They won it for the 3rd time in 1989, when the team was J. Murphy, J. J. Cronin, R. O'Callaghan, M. Deady, R. J. O'Sullivan, A. O'Reilly, J. O'Keeffe, J. Classet, P. O'Leary and G. O'Callaghan.

The last time they won it was in 1999, with E. Finn, T. Meade, B. Howell, D. Carroll, A. O'Reilly, C. Deady, M. Howell, E. O'Connor and D. Harrington, they were managed by S. Burke.

Doneraile Golf Club won the Avondhu Shield in 2004, when the team was, Mick Dunlea, Dermot Harrington, Walter Bermingham, Billy Sherlock, Diarmuid Harrington, Sean Barrett, Andy O'Reilly, Coleman Horgan, Tim Deady, Pius O'Callaghan, they were managed by Coleman Deady and Martin Buckley.

They won it prior to that in 1986, when the team was, R. O'Callaghan, D. Harrington, J. J. Cronin, K. Carey, B. O'Keeffe, F. Carey, J. O'Keeffe, M. Barrett, J. Dennehy and Joseph O'Keeffe.

The Ladies of Doneraile Golf Club won the Bank of Ireland Dunhallow Shield in 1980, when the team was, Nora Carroll, Nora Philpott, Nora Aherne, Sheila Corcoran, Maureen Cronin, Marie Lynch, Noreen O'Keeffe, Ita Power, Kitty Coakley and Pat Winkle. Michael Quirk.

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

Michael Collins represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 1998 playing 4-times won 1-match and lost 3-matches accumulating 2-points. He represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level from 1999 to 2001 playing 14-times won 5-matches halved three and lost 6-matches accumulating 13-points. He represented Munster in the Boys Interprovincial Championships in 1997 playing 6-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 9-points;

M. Quirke represented Ireland at Senior (55+) from 2009 to 20010 playing 18-times won 11-matches halved two and lost 5-matches accumulating 24-points. He represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 1987 to 1988 playing 8-times won 4-matche and lost 4-matches accumulating 8-points. He represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level from 1973 to 1975 playing 8-times won 5-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 10-points;

K. Carey represented Munster at Youths’ Interprovincial level in 1980 playing 3-times won 2-matche and lost 1-match accumulating 4-points;

History of Doneraile

There is a tradition that golf was played in Doneraile as far back as 1912. It was said to have been a three hole course in the North Park, part of the Doneraile estate.

The first meeting on record was held on 8 July 1921. Lord Castletown was elected President. The land was given free by Lord Castletown.
In 1925 work started on a new course across the road from the existing course in the North Park.

This course was opened in 1927, and the first captain was Mr SR Lysaght. The club also affiliated in that year to the Golfing Union of Ireland. The course was extended in 1928 across the river adjoining the graveyard. The course was purchased from the Trustees of the Doneraile Estate in 1975 for £4500.
The old town of Doneraile was situated where the 8th tee is at present. In Irish, Dun ar Aill means "Fort on the Cliff".
The townland where the course is situated is called Horseclose.

The club has a close relationship with horses. One of the major horse racing Classics is called after the St Ledgers who previously owned the Doneraile Estate. Another interesting historical connection is that the first ever steeplechase was run from the steeple in Buttevant Church to the steeple of St Mary's Church just on the left of the present first tee.

Golf World Magazine described the course as the Jewel in the Crown of the 9 hole courses in 1996, when they wrote an article on "Golfing in Ireland".
There is great interest in golf in the locality. At present, there are 700 members in the club. There is a strong juvenile section. There is good participation in competition and team events. Doneraile won the Munster Country Clubs competition in 1999.