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Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dylan Holmes becomes youngest West of Ireland Amateur Open winner since Rory McIlroy
Greystones teenager Dylan Holmes finished off a stunning week with a 2&1 victory over the experienced Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) at a rain-soaked Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship. The 18-year-old was making his debut in men's championships at County Sligo and this sensational triumph means he is the youngest winner of the West since Rory McIlroy in 2006. Holmes performed heroics to reach the final day and continued that scintillating form on Tuesday morning defeating local favourite Barry Anderson in the semi-finals, before he battled through harsh weather conditions to sink his opponent in the decider. The Leaving Cert student will now also have a busy golf schedule to look forward to in 2025. 'It's incredible, I didn't really have any expectations coming into this week,' said Holmes. 'I played a great first 13 holes, some of the best golf I have ever played, and then I don't know what happened to the weather but it was worse than the first round which was hard. 'You weren't making any pars out there the last few holes. You are not able to get to any of the greens, it was ridiculous. 'I guess I'm in with a few good names now so it's nice. McIlroy is incomparable.' Dylan Holmes tees off the fourteenth. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady. Holmes had finished on +10 after rounds of 77 and 75 in stroke play and he improved in the match play. Victories over Adam Smith (2&1), Greg O'Mahony (6&4) and David Kitt (1up) followed, before a gritty win against Jonathan Keane in the quarter-finals, where he only took the lead for the first time on the 19th hole. Campbell had a similarly impressive run through the knockout rounds, with a 5&3 win against Jack McDonnell yesterday morning and a 2&1 success at the expense of Harry Gillivan in the afternoon. Campbell defeated former professional Stuart Grehan 2&1 in the semi-finals on Tuesday morning but came unstuck in the decider. A par was good enough for Holmes to take an early 1up lead on the first in the Final and that was a 3up advantage by the sixth. Campbell rallied but fell to a four in arrears by the 13th. The Warrenpoint man won the 14th and 16th holes but it wasn't enough and he shook hands on the 17th green. Meanwhile, defending champion Brendan Lawlor secured the ISPS Handa G4D at The West title after he finished with a second round of 80 for a +10 total in testing conditions. Sligo local Alan Gaynor was second in the gross stroke play while Caolan Munnelly (Tullamore) completed the top three. Mark Clougherty took home the net stroke play title after rounds of 75 and 74 were enough for the Lambeg golfer to finish two shots clear of Paul Kelly (County Armagh). Jarlath King (Ballinrobe) won the net stableford crown after he accumulated a total of 69 points. Declan Burns (Foyle) was second on 64 points with Timmy Moloney (Co Tipperary) three points further back. 'I love links golf and I don't play much links golf to be honest but when I get out here there's something about it,' said Lawlor. 'I am quite a feel player, so I love feeling those type of shots, six irons from 120 yards, all these different type of shots around links are really joyful to play. 'It was an absolute battle out there, trying to keep the ball under the wind was pretty tough. I played very solid. I had a sweet buffer coming in and it was kind of a match play situation between me and Alan today. So, I'm really happy with the win.'
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Local favourite Anderson looking for redemption in the West
Former champion Barry Anderson (Cork) is back in the semi-finals of the Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship after a thrilling victory over reigning champion Keith Egan (Carton House). The 34-year-old, who won this crown in 2017 but was beaten in the final two years ago, had to dig deep against Egan. An outstanding approach on the 18th paved the way for a birdie to send the match down 19, and he eventually advanced from the quarter-final after Egan almost chipped in. 'It's nice to get through a tight match like that,' said the Sligo native is now based in Cork. 'Keith is such a great competitor, tough to grind down, he's just so solid all round. It was a real tough game, to come out on the right side of it was brilliant. 'I put myself under pressure on 18 but managed to get a birdie then so that was a nice buzz going down the 19th. I was happy enough to even get that far. 'But this morning did more for my confidence, I played really well, I actually played almost flawless so I really took a lot of confidence from that. 'The whole way through the championship I kind of feel I am growing into it a bit more. Each competitive round I get under my belt I feel a bit more comfortable, so looking forward to tomorrow. 'This evening was brilliant, the weather really does make a difference, it's such a buzz playing in front of a big enough crowd, it's rare we get to do it. It makes all the practise worthwhile when you play well in front of the crowd.' Anderson built the momentum during his impressive 5&4 victory over David Reddan (Castleknock) in the Last 16 and he will now go on to face debutant Dylan Holmes (Greystones) in the final four. The 18-year-old, playing in his first championship at this level, secured a brilliant 1up win over experienced campaigner David Kitt (Athenry) in the Last 16. Holmes was made to battle all the way by Jonathan Keane (Lahinch) in their quarter-final tie, and despite not taking the lead for 18 holes during their contest, he secured safe passage through to the final day of action down the 19th. Returning professional, Stuart Grehan (County Louth) was the first player to book his place in the final four, thanks to a comprehensive 6&5 win over James Fox (Portmarnock). Grehan had been taken up the 19th twice already this weekend, including when he narrowly defeated Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) in the Last 16. But the 32-year-old, who turned professional in 2017 and recently regained his amateur status, piled on the pressure early against Fox. He raced into a 6up lead at the turn and finished things off on the 13th. Tomorrow morning, he will do battle with former Ireland teammate Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint). Campbell held his nerve and secured a 2&1 victory over Harry Gillivan (Portmarnock) in the last match to finish on Monday evening. Meanwhile, Brendan Lawlor began the defence of his ISPS Handa G4D at The West crown with a solid opening +1 round of 72. The former G4D Open winner birdied the fifth but a double bogey on the eighth, meant he went out in 37. The Carton House man bounced back with a birdie on 12 but a bogey on 16 ensured he finished over par for his round. He is clear of Alan Gaynor (County Sligo) on +9 and Aidan Grenham (Ballinasloe) three shots further in arrears. Paul O'Kelly (Portmarnock) and Cian Arthurs (Roganstown) complete the top five.
