Members Achievements
Headfort Golf Club won the Quarter Finals of the Jimmy Bruen Shield on Saturday 2st September 2023 at Dundalk Golf Club when they beat Cairndhu Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches.
They were led out Terry Murphy with Vincent Keating who lost their match by the minimum against Gordan Best with Bryan Magee, they were followed by Joe Hannigan with Philip Stanley who had a similar result against John Hicks with Philip Carmichael, next on the tee was Mark Howlin with Paul Coll who had a confortable 5 and 4 win against Alex Kincaid with Brian Haveran, in the penultimate match of Aidan Monaghan with Martin Redmond recorded a 4 and 3 win against Ryan Garrett with David McKeegan and in the bottom match Kevin Fagan with Kenny Smith had a 2 and 1 win against Steven Gorman with Barry Lyness.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Final of Leinster North Women’s Challenge Cup in 2023 when they lost out to Corrstown Golf Club by 4-matches to 1-match.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Quarter-Final of the Challenge Cup at Slieve Russell Golf Club on Friday 9th September 2022 and won their match against Tubbercurry Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches.
First on the tee was Mary Farrelly who lost her match by 4 and 3 against Ann Conlon, she was followed by Mary Bowler who won her match by 2 and 1 against Brigie Clarke, next on the tee was Elaine Duffy who beat Mary Costello by 3 and 2, in the penultimate match Pamela Strong lost her match by 2 and 1 against Mary Johnston in the bottom and deciding match Ellen Castles delivered the winning point with a 2-hole win against Ann Scanlon.
They met the Ladies from Tipperary Golf Club the following day in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and recorded a 3-matches to 2-matches win against the Ladies from the Premier County.
Mary Farrelly led them out again and put the first point on the board with a 2 and 1 win against Mary Devlin, she was followed by Mary Bowler who had a similar result against Sandra Russell, next on the tee was Ellen Duffy who lost her match against Barbara Leahy by 6 and 5, in the penultimate match Ellen Castles had a 2-hole win against Patricia O’Connell and the bottom match of Regina Tevlin lost out to Ann Mooney by 5 and 4.
They met the Ladies from Greystones Golf Club on the Sunday morning in the All-Ireland Final and lost their match by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
Yet again Mary Farrelly led them out but lost her match by the minimum against Anne Browner, she was followed by Mary Bowler who had a similar result against Celine Joyce, the match of Elaine Duffy was halved against Orla Rush, in the penultimate match Ellen Castles had a very convincing 8 and 7 win against Wendy Lee, in the bottom match Regina Tevlin lost out to Grace Dodd by 3 and 2The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Women's Irish Senior Foursomes in 2021. They were Captained by Nora Murphy and played the Ladies from Royal Portrush Golf Club at Shandon Park Golf Club on 8th September when the team was Maria O’Reilly with Patricia Black, Orla Foley with Orla O’Rorke and Pauline Walsh with Clare Martyn. The Subs were Mary Clerkin and Annette O’Reilly. They won their match and played the Ladies from Dun Laoghaire Golf Club on 11th September.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club won East Leinster Final of the Irish Intermediate Cup when they beat Naas Golf Club by 3 ½-matches to 1 ½-matches at Seapoint Golf Club on Sunday 2nd September 2018.
They were led out by Jennifer Martin (18) who won her match against Yvonne Frayne (16) by 2-holes, she was followed by Margaret Rooney (19) who lost out to Brenda Kilgannon (18) by 5 and 4, next on the tee was Paula Casserley (20) who won her match on the 19th against Sandra Barnett (18), in the penultimate match Mary Brennan (21) had a 2 and 1 win over Jacinta Kilduff (18) and the bottom match of Liz Gaffney (21) against Anne Higgins (18) was recorded as a halve when called-in.
They made their way to Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort to participate in the All-Ireland Deciders where they met Connacht Champions Bearna Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final on Wednesday 26th September and went down by 3-matches to 2-matches against the ladies from the Galway.
They were led out again by Jennifer Martin who won her match by 2 and 1 against Imelda McGovern, next on the tee was Jacqueline McCormack who lost out to Siobhan Smyth by 3 and 2, she was followed by Paula Casserly who also lost her match by 3 and 2 against Nuala Timoney, in the penultimate match Mary Brennan had a resounding 7 and 6 win over Clare Cunningham and the bottom match of Liz Gaffney went up the 19th before Breda Davies before Bearna secured the win and their place in the All-Ireland Semi-Final the next day.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club won the All-Ireland Challenge Cup when they beat Munster Champions Ballybunion Golf Club by 4½-matches to ½-match in the All-Ireland Final. They had to do it the hard way when they played Co. Sligo Golf Club in the Quarter-Final on Thursday 22nd September 2016 at Dundalk Golf Club.
First on the tee was Oonagh Clarke who beat Jean Barr by 4 and 3, she was followed by Susan Reilly who halved her match against Rosie Mullan when called-in next on the tee was Mary Bowler who had a 5 and 4 win over Emma Flanagan in the penultimate match Ita Cribbin had a very comfortable 6 and 5 win over Patricia Harte the bottom match of Helen Stafford was recorded as a halve against Patsy McElrone when called-in.
They met the Ladies from Wexford Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final the following day they were led out again by Oonagh Clarke who beat Mary Walsh by 2 and 1, next up was Susan Reilly who had a 4 and 3 win over Mary Fallon, she was followed by Mary Bowler who went down by 3 and 2 to Deirdre Greer in the penultimate match Ita Cribbin beat Pat Flanagan by 4 and 3 the bottom match of Helen Stafford was recorded as a halve against Bernie Power when called-in.
They met Munster Champions Ballybunion Golf Club on the Saturday to decide where the Green Pennant was going Oonagh Clarke led the way again and put the first point on the board with a 5 and 4 win over Mary Hickey Keane next up was Susan Reilly who had a relatively comfortable 4 and 3 win over Margaret McAuliffe she was followed by Mary Bowler who recorded a 4 and 2 win over Elva Clancy and with it the All-Ireland pennant the penultimate match of Ita Cribbin against Dori Cotter was recorded as a halve when called-in in the bottom match Patricia Tyrrell had the most comfortable result of all the matches when she posted a 6 and 5 win over Tess Noonan. According to my records it’s been some time since the Ladies of Hedfort Golf Club have had anything to celebrate (a bit like the Meath GAA team) which makes this All-Ireland even more special.
Headfort Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Barton Shield when they beat Lucan Golf Club by 5-holes at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club on Saturday 31st July 2010 having beaten NUI Maynooth by 1-hole in the semi-finals. They made their way to Castlebar Golf Club to compete in the National deciders and were drawn against Connacht Champions Galway Golf Club on Wednesday 15th September.
Confronted with a very strong Galway Headfort’s Joe Dillon with Greg Mungovan beat Joe Lyons with Damien Coyle by 2-holes and Rory McNamara with Brian Casey had a very convincing 5-hole win over Eddie McCormack with Damien McGlynn, what a scalp. They met Ulster Champions Dunmurry Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final the following day Joe Dillon with Greg Mungovan again lead against Darren Crow with Patrick McGlone but went down by 5-holes, the bottom match of Rory McNamara with Brian Casey against Stephen Crowe Glenn McAuley was halved, so the green pennant went North.
Headfort Golf Club won the Provincial Towns Cup in 2002, when the team was, Joe Casey, Kieran Walsh, Emmet Staunton, David Staunton, Eamon Musgrave, Jack Dolan, Ronan McGrane, Liam Staunton, Alan Carry, Joe Caffrey Jnr., Des Renehan, Alan Smyth, Declan Curley, Stephen Foley and Donal O'Hare.
They won the Central Towns Trophy in 2001, when the team was, Declan Corcoran, Terry, Nevin, Ray Shortall, Liam Hyland, Martin McCormack, Matt Gaynor, Larry O'Brien, Charlie McCarthy, Michael Donagh, Packie Henry, Joseph Caffrey Jnr., and Cyril Kealy.
2005 Lady Captain Mary McQuillan and her Captain's Prize winner Brigid Smith qualified in the Volkswagen/Irish Independent Lady Captain's Classic in this scotch foursomes format. It was off to the National Finals at The Heritage Golf Club on Monday 3 rd October where they were paired with the Co. Sligo pair of Martina Sherlock and Kathleen Keane.
Ronan O'Reilly was selected for the Leinster Boys' team in the Interprovincial Championships on his home course from August 28-30 2002.
Lady Captain Helen Stafford (25) and her Captains Prize Winner Margaret Reilly (25) qualified for the National Finals of the Volkswagen-Irish Independent Lady Captains Golf Classic at Druid's Glen Golf Club in 2002. Playing on their home course when they returned 38 points.
Lady Captain Peggy O'Reilly and her Captain's Prize winner Geraldine McCann qualified for the Volkswagen-Irish Independent Lady Captains' Classic National Finals at Druid's on the 1st October 2001.
Prior to 2001:
Headfort Golf Club won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalist in the Irish Junior Cup in 1980, when the team was, Tony Stanley, Billy McKay, Padraig Carty, Paul Gallagher, Peter Gallagher, Martin Gallagher, Christy Smyth, Robin Caffrey and Dessie McGovern, they were managed by Brian Caffrey.
Headfort Golf Club won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalist in the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 1995, when the team was, N. Ormiston, T. Briody, N. Clarkin, P. Kelly, J. Brogan, M. O'Brien, C. Phillips, J. Walsh, L. Bowler, B. Mason, S. Flanagan, G. O'Brien, G. Smyth, J. Darcy, T. Sheridan and M. Murray, they were managed by C. J. Smyth and captained by F. Duffy.
Headfort Golf Club won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalist in the Jimmy Bruen Shield in 1988, when the team was, Frank Burke, Paul Cunningham, Brendan O'Sullivan, Christie Philips, Jimmy Walsh, John Caffrey, Pat Dempsey, Joe Darcy, Michael Murray, Sean Bartley, Damien McGrane, Martin Cole, they were managed by Peter Gibson.
They won the Barton Cup in 1994.
Headfort Golf Club won the Provincial Towns Cup at Kilkenny Golf Club in 1997, when the team was, M. Forry, K. Walsh, B. Caffrey, C. Phillips, A. Lynch, D. Noone, D. Hunt, J. Doyle, T. Briody and P. Conlon.
Headfort Golf Club won the Provincial Towns Cup in 1987, when the team was, Damien McGrane, Tony Stanley, Pat Dempsey, Sean Bartley, Kieran Walsh, Pat Carolan, Pat MacCann, Jimmy Garry, Aengus Garry and Dick McInerney, they were managed by John Caffrey.
Headfort Golf Club won the Provincial Towns Cup in 1975, when the team was, Liam Hopkins, Mick McLeavy, Tony O'Connell, Gerry Renehan, Todd Burns, Joe Duignan, Eamon Clarke, Tony Stanley, Peter Kelly, George Gray and Tom Clarke.
Headfort Golf Club won the Newsam Cup in 1991, when the team was, Jimmy Martin, Joe Duignan, Martin Kelly, Tom Kinsella, Paddy Callaghan, Michael Tully, Larry Smyth, Martin Gaynor, John Kirwan, John Brogan, Nicholas Smith and Paddy Ward, they were managed by Seamus Dunne. They it again in 1993.
Headfort Golf Club were County Champions in the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 2000.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club won the Eastern District Junior Cup in 1990, when the team was, M. Caffrey, S. Giles, M. McCabe, V. Jennings, H. Colins, N. Murphy and P. Walsh, they were captained by P. Butler.
They won the ILGU Eastern District with the 3rd Team in 1993, when the team was, Nora McCullen, Patsy Butler, Margaret Chapman, Patricia K. O'Reilly, Rosemary Murray and Taino Laatio, they were captained by Mary Kidney.
They won the Breffni Shield in 1993, when the team was, Brigid Kealy, Patsy Butler, Nora Stapleton, Ann Munnelly.
They won the Breffni Shield in 1981, when the team was, Noelene Dunne, Mary Caffrey, Peg MacCann and Joan Hickey. They also won it in 1979, 1963 and 1956.
D. McGrane won the Joe Carr Perpetual Award in 1991 with 105 points and represented Leinster in 1992, playing Leinster Youths in 1990 and 1991.
J. Caffrey played Leinster Youths in 1984.
F. Healy was selected on the ILGU Senior A squad in November 2000.
Katherine MacCann was selected to represent Ireland in the European Ladies Team Championship at Tubbercurry in 1987.
They it again in 1993.
Headfort Golf Club were County Champions in the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 2000.
The Ladies of Headfort Golf Club won the Eastern District Junior Cup in 1990.
They won the ILGU Eastern District with the 3rd Team in 1993.
They won the Breffni Shield in 1993.
They won the Breffni Shield in 1981.
They also won it in 1979, 1963 and 1956.
Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;
Damien McGrane represented Ireland at international Youths level from 1991 to 1992 playing 4-matches, won 1-match halved one and lost 1-matches accumulating 3-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1992 playing 6-times won 2-matches halved two and lost 2-matches accumulating 6-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1990 to 1991 playing 6-times won 4-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 8-points;
Rory McNamara represented Ireland at international Youths level from 2008 to 2009 playing 4-matches, won 0-matches halved one and lost 3-matches accumulating 1-point. He represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2007 playing 9-times won 4-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 8-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 2008 to 2010 playing 16-times won 6-matches halved three and lost 7-matches accumulating 15-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 2008 to 2009 playing 12-times won 9-matches halved two and lost 1-match accumulating 20-points. He represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level in 2007 playing 6-times won 5-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 10-points;
Brian Casey represented Ireland at Irish Boys level 2009 playing 5-times won 0-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 0-points. He represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level from 2008 to 2009 playing 11-times won 7-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 14-points;
J. Caffrey represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1984 playing 3-times won 1-match and lost 2-matches accumulating 2-points;
F. Healy was selected on the ILGU Senior A squad in November 2000;
Katherine MacCann was selected to represent Ireland in the European Ladies Team Championship at Tubbercurry in 1987;
History of Headfort
Founded 1928
The Marquis of Headfort was a very keen golfer and by 1905 he had a private course laid out in his Irish estate in Co. Meath. He served as Captain of Co. Louth in 1908 and was the first President of Killua Castle Golf Club in 1922. In 1907, he opened the course at Navan and presented them with the Headfort Cup.
The present course at Headfort was founded in 1928, a fine new clubhouse was built in the early 1990s and an additional eighteen holes were laid out in 2000.
What the Club tells us:
Established in 1928, Headfort Golf Club is one of the finest parkland complexes in the Country. Boasting 36 holes, both courses have stunning mature trees, many being specimen, which enhance this unique landscape.
The idea of creating a new club near Kells, to the North-west of Dublin, was first agreed in 1929 and the Course came into play the following year with nine holes laid out in a section of beautiful parkland leased from the Headfort estate. The Club was then affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1930 and celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2005. In its formative years the Club was well served by a vet and his horse. The local animal doctor, a certain Mr Val Kelly, set his sights on producing the finest greens on the East Coast and worked tirelessly to this end. While the vet is remembered with gratitude and affection, the poor old horse was sold for a mere £18 in 1939, just a few months after the Club bought one of those new-fangled motor tractors. However, with the start of World War II and the shortage of petrol, the loyal horse was once again back on the Headfort fairways!!
In 1956 the Course was extended from nine to eighteen holes and the Club reached another milestone in its history when, in 1987, the members bought the Course outright from the then owner of the Headfort estate, a Canadian by the name of Bill Kruger. In 1998 the Headfort Members were given the opportunity to purchase a tract of adjoining land stretching down to and beyond the River Blackwater. This land included two wonderful islands on the river, home to a magnificent Asiatic tree collection lovingly assembled by the former Lord Headfort.
Christy O’Connor was then commissioned to design a second 18 holes on this land, making maximum use of its trees, water and natural features, the result of which was simply breathtaking. The Course, which was officially opened to members in 2000, boasts some of the best Par 3’s in the Country. Holes 4, 7, 11 and 17 are not only visually stunning, they will test the mental attributes of even the most seasoned golfers. Par 4’s like 8, 10 and 18 will call for pinpoint accuracy and long par 5’s like that of the 6th and the 14th make this course the complete package.
Headfort, now in existence since 1928, is an experience to rival the best in Ireland.
