MARCUS CAVAROLI

THE honours have been coming thick and fast for Dylan Keating in recent times and the new title of Drogheda Independent Coca-Cola Sport Star of the Year crowned a remarkable 12 months in the Seapoint golfer’s life.

The 16-year-old, who now plays off a handicap of 0.8, came from four shots off the lead to win the Irish Boys Under-16 Championship last summer, finished top of the pile in the Under-16 Irish Order of Merit, represented his country in the Italian Championship and got picked for the Irish Under-18 squad.

And to put the icing on the cake, he has already won two tournaments this month and has just become Seapoint Junior Captain for 2019.

‘It’s been a fantastic year, a surprising and a brilliant year,’ he said, ‘and to cap it off with Sport Star of the Year in this place with people like [Young Sport Star of the Year] Karl Martin is just class,’ he said.

‘To have [fellow golfer] Daniel [Mulligan] up getting an award as well just proves how many great sportspeople there are around this place and it’s a brilliant honour, big time.’

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Dundalk Grammar schoolboy and after a serious health scare he must have wondered whether he’d ever get back playing at the top level. Certainly he’s come to appreciate each success all the more after what he went through a couple of years ago.

‘As a young amateur I won a lot. I was used to winning and then one day I was out playing Gaelic against the older age group and I gave it socks for the match - let’s just put it like that! - and it took its toll on me after.

‘Thankfully one of my friends’ dad is a doctor and he was there. I had an SVT [rapid heart rate] when he was there and went straight to the hospital and I had surgery three months after.

‘It took a toll on my body - mentally as well. I was always conscious about hurting my chest and something happening, but it’s all good now.

‘To win as much as I did for my parents, my family and the people that support me is brilliant and I feel like my game is good, I’m playing well and I don’t really see any reason why I can’t go on this year.’

Dylan’s sense of optimism is built around a supportive family and also his coaches - Neil Manchip when he’s with the Irish squad and Shane O’Grady at other times.