Sports

Former Irish Open champion Jon Rahm led his team to victory in the Pro-Am ahead of the 2019 tournament at Lahinch Golf Club. The Spaniard’s team finished on a total of 37 under par, two shots clear of the nearest competitors. He was playing alongside Tom Coughlan, Geoff Morton and Mike Higgins. Glorious sunshine welcomed the players for today’s event while fans flocked in near record numbers as anticipation builds ahead of tomorrow’s opening round. Among the other stars to take to the course today were Clare All-Ireland winners Shane O’Donnell and Davy Fitzgerald.  

Former champion Jon Rahm is among those hoping to be crowned the winner of this year’s Irish Open at Lahinch as he bids to follow up on his 6 stroke victory in 2017. The Spaniard comes into the event in a strong run of form, including when finishing joint third at this year’s US Open at Pebble Beach. He has been impressed with what he has seen of Lahinch so far. “It has really lived up to its expectations. Every time we come to Ireland we know what we are going to get. I believe Irish golf is just a little bit different and it is to my taste. Aesthetically it is a little more beautiful, there is a little more movement and is it not just flat and I think it is just a little bit more enjoyable for me. Lahinch is definitely a very different golf course. You don’t get too many that have kept holes from the …

One of the home favourites for the 2019 Irish Open title is expecting a special week in Lahinch for the 2019 Irish Open. Graeme McDowell is back on familiar territory, as he bids to add the Irish Open title to the South of Ireland championship he won as an amateur in 2000. “It is my first time back here, I think, in 18 years. Certainly don’t remember the golf course very well. I’ve got to be honest. My memories are pretty minimal. Match-play back in those days, and some days you’d play 12 holes and other days you played a few more holes than that. Some years you came down and lost in the first round, other years you played better, but I always have great memories of the South of Ireland. I don’t remember the golf course being so good to be honest with you. I really enjoyed it this morning. The golf course is very mixed. The front …

The Pro-Am ahead of the 2019 Irish is the big draw today (Wednesday) at Lahinch Golf Club as the stars of sport, screen and music descend on the famous links course. One of the first groups away this morning saw Clare hurling star Shane O’Donnell tee up with fellow All Ireland winners Cian Lynch and Joe Canning, as they took to the course with home fan favourite Shane Lowry. Former Clare manager and All-Ireland winner Davy Fitzgerald was also taking part as he joined up with former champion Jamie Donaldson alongside boyband stars Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden. Other famous names involved in today’s round include One Direction star Niall Horan and impressionist Conor Moore, with GAA stars like Kieran Donaghy, Tomás O’Sé, Conor McManus and David Burke are also part of the field. Rugby is well represented with Killaloe native and Munster & Ireland legend Keith Wood playing with former team-mate Paul O’Connell, while two of the greats of …

Following on from yesterday’s video, Club Pro at Lahinch Golf Club Donal McSweeney takes us through the back nine holes of the famous links course which is hosting the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVMnlgSDjhY[/embedyt]

Six second half wides and a controversial late penalty call proved Clare’s undoing in Dungarvan on Tuesday night as Waterford secured their first Munster championship win in thirteen years with a 1-10 to 1-9 win The sides were level on six occasions in an action-packed encounter before Déise centre back Tom Barron, younger brother of All Star hurler Jamie, landed a last minute winner. Extra time seemed a certainty when Clare full forward Diarmuid O’Donnell addressed a 66th minute free but he sent it right and wide. Dermot Coughlan also had a penalty appeal turned down by Tipperary whistler Seanie Lonergan as he made his return from injury   Darragh Corcoran was Waterford’s go-to man all night. The St Saviours forward kicked 1-7 (1-3 from play) in his first underage football game for the county. Amazingly, the home side only had a month to prepare for this competition as Gavin Whelan was a late appointment. They lost 13 games in a row …

In advance of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch, we’re previewing here the first nine holes of the famous links course with Club Pro Donal McSweeney. Keep an eye out for the second video tomorrow detailing the final nine. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsbyWwBeX90[/embedyt]

Des Smyth may not have ever won the Irish Open during his playing days, but that has not stopped him from championing the event as its official ambassador. The Louth native is looking forward to this year’s event at Lahinch when the biggest day in Irish golf comes to Clare for the first time. Smyth is no stranger to Lahinch having played in the South of Ireland in his amateur days and also competed in a match-play event at the North Clare venue. He admits he was pleased when he heard that the Irish Open would be held there in 2019. “I thought it was great news to have it here. It is a great opportunity for Lahinch and it has been one of the great courses in Ireland for years now. They have improved the golf course and dropped the par down to 70 for the tournament so it will be a very strict par. I think the players …