Dundalk Golf Club to host Irish PGA Championship

Dundalk Golf Club is celebrating at present after being named as the host for this year’s 105th Irish PGA Championship.

The Blackrock course, also the base for the PGA in Ireland for almost 30 years, will stage the event on October 1st to 4th, with the Championship Pro-Am held on Wednesday September 30th, its first Irish PGA Championship since 1969.

Jimmy Martin won that year, succeeding the great Harry Bradshaw, who won on the only previous visit to Dundalk in 1953. That was Bradshaw’s eighth Irish title. The 6,826-yard, par 72 championship parkland course was redesigned by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas in 1980.

The last 18 months have seen extensive improvement work to the course, with the installation of many new bunkers and improvements to the drainage of existing greenside traps, as well as some tree removal, with the sixth and 15th greens now more exposed to the elements.

“We are thrilled to be having the event and see it as a great opportunity to showcase Dundalk GC and the recent investment that has been made in the course,” said Dundalk GC captain Brendan Keane.

“There is a strong association with the event here in Dundalk, having hosted the tournament in 1953 and 1969.

“I know our membership will be really enthused by the prospect, especially as a result of our close association with the PGA in Ireland.”

The Irish PGA Championship is prestigious in its own right, but success also brings entry into the European Tour’s flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championship. Last year’s winner at Adare Manor Golf Club was Niall Kearney, the Royal Dublin professional who last week at Wentworth gave a good account of himself before missing the cut by one stroke.

Club captain O’Donnell commits his future to Dundalk FC

Stephen O’Donnell has signed a two year deal to remain at Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC have re-signed club captain Stephen O’Donnell on a two year deal this afternoon.

The 28-year-old, who missed the bulk of last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury before returning to the side to score in the league decider against Cork City, is now likely to remain at the club for at least four years after initially signing for Stephen Kenny’s side in 2012.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com after putting pen to paper, the skipper was understandably delighted to have secured his new contract and is looking forward to getting back playing.

“Absolutely delighted to get things sorted and staying. Obviously I can’t wait to get playing again now. The season probably came at the wrong time for me in the end but delighted with how it played out and looking forward to the new season.

“A lot to look forward to next season with the Champions League as well. The focus will be on the league of course and we will have months before that to prepare and all but it is something to look forward too. The lads who played the 50 games or so have got their rest. I have been quite fresh and just looking forward to get going again.”

 

O’Donnell receives injury boost as knee damage isn’t as bad as first feared

Dundalk’s Stephen O’Donnell

Dundalk FC captain Stephen O’Donnell has received a major boost in his battle to return to fitness after surgery yesterday revealed that his cruciate knee ligament injury was not as bad as first feared.

After being carried off in the 2-2 draw with Shamrock Rovers on Good Friday, there were fears that the 28-year-old might not play again after initial reports suggested he had ruptured both his anterior and posterior ligaments.

However, surgery in Santry yesterday went well and revealed that he hadn’t ruptured the anterior ligaments (ACL).

Tweeting about the matter this morning, O’Donnell said: “Didn’t do my acl after all damage to the knee but not as bad as first feared!buzzin,surgery went well.”

Meanwhile, tickets went on sale from Oriel Park this morning for the club’s Setanta Cup final clash against Sligo Rovers in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday May 10^th.

Dundalk captain O’Donnell named in league’s Most Hated XI

Dundalk’s Stephen O’Donnell

Ahead of Dundalk’s trip to Inchicore tonight to face champions St Patrick’s Athletic, club captain Stephen O’Donnell has been named in the ‘Most Hated’ team in the League of Ireland.

The team, put together by popular Irish soccer website Balls.ie, has the Galway native in central midfield.

Explaining their reasons for selecting the Dundalk captain, Balls said: “Stephen O’Donnell talks a lot. More specifically he talks to referees a lot. If talking to referees was an Olympic event, he’d be the Usain Bolt of talking to referees. Every single decision is questioned. That leads to loads of stupid bookings for O’Donnell. He was sent off twice last year, both for 2 yellow card offences. He was sent off for pushing Ger O’Brien (Pats) as they argued over a throw in and for diving against Sligo Rovers. His missed panenka last year v Bohs was warmly greeted around the league.”

O’Donnell is certain to get plenty of flak tonight in Richmond Park, having been sent off there last season in a crucial top of the table clash that Dundalk lost which went a long way to deciding the destination of the title.

The midfielder is a firm favourite with Lilywhites fans, however, and has been one of the most impressive performers for Stephen Kenny’s side so far this season, even scoring a crucial last gasp winner against Coleraine in the Setanta Sports Cup last month.

Kick-off tonight is at 7.05pm, with the game being televised live on RTÉ2.

You can view the full ‘Most Hated’ XI here.