The launch of the 23rd annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge took place in Killarney Golf and Fishing Club in Mahony’s Point this week.

Kerry and Cork greats Ambrose O’Donovan and John Fenton were pulling strokes once again on Lough Lough Leane the launch of the 23rd annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Forty years after they captained their respective counties to All-Ireland senior titles in the GAA’s centenary year, Kerry and Cork greats Ambrose O’Donovan and John Fenton along with Kilkenny legend and Challenge patron Eddie Keher were on hand to lend their support to the charity four-person team event, which will take place at Killarney Golf Club on October 17and 18.

Kerry Gaelic football luminaries, 2000 All-Ireland SFC winning captain Seamus Moynihan and three-time All-Ireland SFC medallist Johnny Crowley, were also in attendance to promote this year’s beneficiary, their friend and fellow Glenflesk clubman Jerry O’Leary.

A year ago, Jerry suffered serious spinal injuries in a devastating accident while walking home. He is wheelchair-bound and requires intensive physiotherapy as well as other medical supports.

The Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge sees four-person teams from Ireland and the US represent their GAA clubs on the golf course.
A total of 45 teams will converge on Killarney in October to compete for the specially-commissioned Waterford Crystal replica of the Liam MacCarthy Cu on the majestic Killeen and O’Mahony’s Point courses.
Run on an entirely voluntary basis in which all proceeds go to charitable causes, the Challenge is the premier golf competition for GAA members.

The Challenge has been raising funds for GAA-affiliated causes and members in need for several years.
In 2023, the beneficiary was The Dillon Quirke Foundation while in previous years the Challenge has been able to provide financial assistance to Ian O’Connell (Spa), Fionn McAnaney (Raharney), Conor Connolly (Castlederg) and Darragh Dooley (Ballyduff Lower).

“Jerry’s cause is one the Challenge are honoured to get behind. Jerry is a well loved and respected member of his community and we are delighted to join the fundraising drive to help him and his family,” said Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge organising chairman Liam Daniels.

“Our great friend Ian O’Connell from Spa was here at the launch and to see the great progress he has made in recent years and his heartening approach to life after his own accident is a genuine inspiration.”

“I wish to thank our long-standing sponsors Circet who fully appreciate what we have been doing down through the years in particular Donagh Kelly and Vanessa Cunningham. They are more friends than sponsors and their understanding of our efforts is vital to the success of the Challenge.”

“I also want to pay tribute to our patrons Eddie Keher, Seán Kelly, Barney Rock, Gerry O’Reilly and Declan Devine for their continuing support for the Challenge. The way in which they promote it and the charitable causes is a measure of their generosity and decency.”