Dawson set for pro ranks
TRAMORE’S Robin Dawson will turn professional after next month’s Home Internationals at Conwy.
The Flogas Irish Amateur Open champion (22) confirmed his intentions this week and plans to tee it up at the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School in November as one of the world’s top 15.
But he won’t be in action in next week’s Interprovincial Championship in Athenry, which will help the selectors decide which players will try to help Ireland win the Raymond Trophy for the fifth year running.
St Andrews Links Trophy winner John Murphy, South of Ireland runner-up Rowan Lester and Irish Close runner-up Eoin Leonard are all missing and unavailable for selection for Ireland due to college commitments in the US.
But with Dawson, Dundalk’s South of Ireland champion Caolan Rafferty, Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe, Castle’s Alex Gleeson and Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell all looking certain to play, as many as eight or nine players will be vying for the remaining six spots on the team after the Interpros in Athenry. Interprovincial Championship, Athenry, August 29-31 Leinster: (Dundalk), Eugene Smith (Laytown & Bettystown), Jonathan Yates (Naas). Connacht: Alex Gleeson (Castle), Sean Flanagan (Co. Sligo), TJ Ford (Co. Sligo), Allan Hill (Athenry), David Kitt (Athenry), Joe Lyons (Galway), Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little ), Ronan Mullarney (Galway).
Munster: Cathal Butler (Kinsale), Eanna Griffin (Waterford), John Hickey (Cork), Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock), Andrew McCormack (Castletroy), Gary O’Flaherty (Cork), Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas), James Sugrue (Mallow). Ulster: Reece Black (Lisburn), Ross Dutton (Tandragee), Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush), Matt McClean (Malone), Marc McKinstry (Cairndhu), Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene), Marc Norton (Belvoir Park), Rory Williamson (Holywood).