Resounding success of Golf Classic, in mixed weather conditions
June 12, 2026
The Killavullen GAA Golf Classic took place over the weekend, booking out all available Tee Slots from Friday at 2.00 PM and again on Saturday from midday, on the picturesque parkland course that is Doneraile. Credit to the green keepers and staff of the course, because it was in pristine conditions, and the set ups, the same as of the previous weeks Captain’s Prize flag positions were attainable but challenging.
A team from BCD Engineering in Charleville set a daunting score on Friday. They were out and in, before the very heavy rain, that fell from 6.00 PM, and their gross score was 63, five shots under par, and that coupled with their handicaps, set a very high bar, of 58.62 Nett. The team was Brian Bresnan, who plays in Limerick Golf Club, John McMahon and Alex Ryan, a member in Castletroy. Any person, that was on the course after 6.00 PM on Friday got thoroughly soaked, and that would have mitigated against shooting a good return.
On Saturday as the day progressed, the course dried up, and the strong cross wind that was sweeping across the first fairway, was invariably pushing balls, off that fairway and more towards the ninth. It made the course very challenging, as you had to scramble your way around. The score set by BCD was not met, on the day but the team from Killarney, Gallivan Murphy Insurance Brokers, led out by Gary Kerrisk, and invited to participate by Barry Murphy did post the second best score of the weekend, with a Nett total of 60.27.
Local teams, from Killavullen, Wellington IT, with Kevin Lillis at the helm came third, with 60.99, Conor O Sullivan’s team came fourth with 61.58, and a youthful PM Group team, of Aidan O Donovan, Conor Vaughan and Fionnan Murphy came fifth with 62.35.
Forty-Five teams participated.
The longest drive for men was won by Brian Bresnan, from the BCD team with a booming drive that came up maybe 20 metres short of the tree’s that guard that fifth hole pin position, so that meant his drive was surely 260 metres. It was a hit, that very few times would have been surpassed on the course, according to knowledgeable club members. The longest drive for women was won by Helen Stafford, playing on Mary Magner’s team, with a fine drive on the 3rd.
The nearest the pin for men on the Par 3, 8th hole was won by Jamie Whelan from Buttevant, with a great shot into this daunting green, across the ravine, created millenniums ago by the Bregogue river, before it meets up with the Awbeg Rivers and flows onwards through Doneraile Park, towards the confluence with the Munster Blackwater at Bridgetown Abbey. Jamie was playing on the Ian Roche team.
The nearest the pin for Ladies was won by Mary Kelleher, playing with her husband Billy, on the Howard Farm Feeds Team. This was on the 4th hole, and the superb approach shot by Mary was not bettered all weekend, though Mary was on early on the Friday afternoon.
Late on Saturday evening, in near darkness, there was flurry of excitement when the teams’ featuring loads of Killavullen players, captained by Padraig Looney and Cian O Connor, and they with their own side bets on the outcome, needed a miraculous pitch in, on the 18th to send the two teams into a play-off situation. Nothing at stake, only pride but it meant that three holes had to be played again to settle the outcome, in near darkness and invariably the whopping and hollering, though rarely seen on a golf course, except at a Ryder cup situations drew a gallery to follow them.
In the end, the side bets were settled and friends stayed as friends, but the pride and gloating remain, at least until the Golf Classic of 2027. For the record, it was Cian’s team that won. (for 2026)
Thanks to all that organised the Killavullen GAA Golf Classic event, for 2026, to Doneraile Golf Club for the use of their magnificent facilities, to Joanne Roche and her bevy of cooks and waitresses for the brilliant catering which drew appreciate comments from all. Thanks to all that cajoled sponsorship for the Tee’s and Greens and sincere thanks all that took part, good golfers, occasional golfers, and beginners.
Taking part and being involved was the fun part but the real winner was Killavullen GAA club.
Sincere thanks.