18/06/2026
Who will win the Captain’s Prizes?
Well John Healy has challenged the Men! Take it from me if you can, is his Social Media proclamation! Paddy Power has short odds on him.
But who will have a run at him? As always the Redmond twins will be in the mix. But will it be Ger or Liam this year. We wait with bated breath. The Mayo challenge will of course mainly come from David Flynn, but he should be penalised if he wears those shorts. Theresa please restrain him! John McKennedy is another showing real form and will be a threat, especially if Louise produces that lunch again!
What of the big hitters? We’ll never discount Vincent O’Keeffe or Brian Kavanagh, both capable of quietly dismantling the golf course. My communion money is on Shane Mallen, always there or thereabouts, with the killer instinct around the greens. Just don’t kill yourself Shane.
And what of the nuptials! Jimmy might be suffering a bit after the Johnny Fox’s celebrations of his and Trish’s forty year odyssey! But I would put good money on a Fitzachary double in the Men’s and Ladies competitions. Chris Boyd of course is on an extended licence since he did the deed in Airfield recently. But can the Glens man pull it off? We shall see, at least he will have a marital blessing. And then there is Willie Bisset, fresh from his virgin medal and bang in form. Could be in difficulty if he doesn’t deliver a Captains Prize wedding gift!
Of the traditional stalwarts, Jim Kennedy is showing good form and can’t be discounted while if Dermot Murray can squeak around for two consecutive weeks don’t rule him out. Of course Dermot and Barry Mc Call will carry the new grandfather torch with pride and that is another extra incentive to sneak the big prize!
What of the young guns? Craig Mackay is a favourite from this segment following his inter club exploits last week. Ross Doyle will likely demolish the average age of Captains Prize winners while Neil Davidson is an outside bet to become the club’s youngest second winner. And then there is Vinnie…………!
As for the Ladies!! I always find it difficult to predict the Ladies, as my mother always said - that’s as it should be!! The romantic story is the Fitzachary double as aforementioned, Jimmy I would say Trisha is definitely the better bet??! Of course, it wouldn’t be a major if Joan O’Farrell didn’t emerge as a key contender. Her fairway splitting drives and her drone synchronised putting will push her up the leaderboard. As I think of it another romantic double is possible with the run of form Bernie Roche is firing at the moment, the pressure is on you Matt to make it love all! The usual big hitters Mary Fetherston and Ashling O’Neill will bring their respective power golf brands out for the weekend and I wouldn’t bet against them. There is the other possible romantic double if Ita Redmond can put her recent injury behind her. With Ger firing on all cylinders, don’t rule it out.
Otherwise, it’s a very open field among the ladies.
So let the fireworks begin!!
Finally, very best wishes to Captain Alan as he embarks on the key week of his year!
Enjoy it all Alan!!