It’s been a super summer for Tipperary's rising star of golf

It’s been a remarkable year for Donaskeigh’s Donnacha Cleary, who plays his golf out of Tipperary Golf Club, situated just outside Tipperary Town in the shadow of the Glen of Aherlow. The fifth year student in the Abbey CBS, Tipperary has shone on the national and international golfing scene throughout the summer of 2023.

Donnacha began playing at a young age, and soon showed his immense potential. He received coaching at regional development level. His first big success came in 2021, when he won the Under-16 Irish Open Championship. This title was claimed following a thrilling six-hole play-off victory over Tralee’s Mark Gazi. He would go onto join the Under-16 Golf Ireland High performance panel later that year, having finished third in the Bridgestone U16’s Order of Merit.

Donnacha was also awarded an Annerville Award for that year in recognition of his achievements.
International recognition followed in 2022. He represented Ireland on three separate occasions: at an Under-16 Quadrangular Match in Wales, the European Young Masters in Finland, and the McGregor Trophy in Sherwood Forest. He also won the under-18 Plate competition in the Irish Close Championships. Later in the year, he was named on the Irish U18 High Performance Panel.

Donnacha Cleary proudly holds aloft the Home Nations trophy. Having been selected on the Irish Boys team this year, Donnacha helped them to victory in the Home Nations title for the first time since 2013. His victory over England’s Jack Lee in the final match proved crucial in claiming the crown for Ireland

2023 has been a year of many highs so far for Donnacha. His summer began with a second place finish in the Munster under-18 boys championship, which was hosted in his home club of Tipperary. He followed this up with a victory in the Leinster under-18 boys championship in New Forest. Previous winners of this competition include Padraig Harrington (1988) and Shane Lowry (2005). His run of good form continued with another second place, this time in the Ulster under-18 Boys championship. Donnacha is currently second in the 2023 Under-18 Bridgestone Order of Merit. He also made the knockout stages of the South of Ireland for the first time.

He has also had great success internationally in recent weeks. Having been selected on the Irish Boys team, he helped them to victory in the Boys Home Nations title for the first time since 2013. His victory over England’s Jack Lee in the final match proved crucial in claiming the crown. The following week he played in the R&A Boys Amateur championship, where he reached the last 16th. His excellent run was ended by Norway’s Oscar Bach on the 21st hole (3rd sudden-death play-off hole).

This high level of performance was noted by the Great Britain and Ireland (GB & I) selectors, who picked Donnacha to play for the Great Britain & Ireland under-18’s against continental Europe on the weekend of August 25/26 in Golf du Chantilly, France. Upon his return, Donnacha lined up with the Munster Men’s team in Moyvalley Golf Club in the interprovincial series.

Everybody in Tipperary Golf Club is justifiably proud of Donnacha’s many achievements over the past few years. The club is very grateful for the way he has put the club on the map due to his golfing excellence. Everyone in Tipperary GC, Town and County, look forward to supporting him on his way in future golfing endeavours, and hope to see him continuing in a similar vein in the years to come.