Egan, McClean and McKibbin join Brazill in Ireland team for Lahinch

Tom McKibbin. Picture: Golffile | Phil Inglis

Ireland have become the dominant force at the Home Internationals in recent seasons. Few would have predicted that 2014’s Triple Crown success would be the start of an unprecedented run, culminating at Moortown in 2017 when Ireland completed four in a row. 

Ireland’s three Walker Cup players spearhead the line up for this year’s Home Internationals. Conor Purcell (Portmarnock), Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) and James Sugrue (Mallow) know what it takes to succeed around Lahinch. All three players have won the South of Ireland at the Co Clare venue in recent season. Purcell made his championship breakthrough at the South in 2016 and was succeeded as champion by Sugrue. Rafferty captured his first major title at the South in 2018.

Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell, who delivered the decisive points for Ireland in 2016 and again the following year, returns to the team for Lahinch after a year out through injury. Campbell, 32, played on all four winning Irish teams from 2014 to 2017 and regained his place on the team through the Bridgestone Order of Merit.

Rob Brazill (22) from Naas is among four newcomers in the side. Like Campbell, Brazill gained his cap automatically through the Bridgestone Order of Merit, which he won. Galway’s Ronan Mullarney (23) also secured his place through the merit table.

Holywood’s Tom McKibbin (16) is the youngest player selected. McKibbin has been promoted from the Boys team after a year in which he has won the Peter McEvoy Trophy and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. Malone’s Matthew McClean and Keith Egan from Carton House have also been selected for the first time following impressive seasons.

Sean Flanagan (Portmarnock) returns to the team having last played in green at the 2016 Home Internationals.

2019 Sage Valley Junior Invitational

Tom McKibben. 2019 Sage Valley Junior Invitational, Third Round. Photographed at Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, SC on Saturday, April 27 2019. Photograph by Darren Carroll

ISPS Handa World invitational

Matthew McClean of Ireland during the third round at the ISPS Handa World invitational at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. 17th August 2019 Picture John Dickson / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (� Golffile | John Dickson

2019 Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo Golf

In the shade of Benbulben Robert Brazill (Naas) driving at the 12th tee in the second round of the 2019 Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo Golf Club today (17/05/2019). Picture by Pat Cashman

2019 Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt sponsored Mullingar Scrat

Keith Egan (Carton House) driving at the 18th tee in the final round of the 2019 Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt sponsored Mullingar Scratch Cup at Mullingar Golf Club today (11/08/2019). Picture by Pat Cashman

Home Internationals, Lahinch, September 11-13

Teams (world ranking), * Denotes 2019 GB&I Walker Cup team member

Ireland

• Rob Brazill (Naas, 347)

• Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint, 1009)

• Keith Egan (Carton House, 363)

• Sean Flanagan (Portmarnock, 692)

• Matthew McClean (Malone, 268)

• Tom McKibbin (Holywood, 304)

• Tiarnán McLarnon (Massereene, 261)

• Ronan Mullarney (Galway, 67)

• Conor Purcell (Portmarnock, 23)*

• Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk, 29)*

• James Sugrue (Mallow, 59)*

England

• Jake Burnage (49)

• Callum Farr (161)

• Bailey Gill (89)

• Harry Hall (81)*

• Ben Hutchinson (86)

• Ben Jones (32)

• Matty Lamb (216)

• Joshua McMahon (150)

• Tom Plumb (154)*

• Ben Schmidt (14)

• Tom Sloman (33)*

Scotland

• George Burns (675)

• Kieran Cantley (357) 

• Matt Clark (455)

• Stuart Easton (365)

• Darren Howie (703)

• Lewis Irvine (1340)

• Ryan Lumsden (217)

• Connor McKinney (242)

• Euan McIntosh (206)

• Eric McIntosh (968)

• James Wilson (491)

Wales

• George Bryant (1895)

• Ben Chamberlain (348)

• Jacob Davies (892)

• Rhys Evans (1826)

• Tom Froom (977)

• Jake Hapgood (513)

• Kieron Harman (1239)

• Connor Jones (3547)

• Matt Roberts (718)

• Lewys Sanges (934)

• Gaelen Trew (557)