Kinsale’s John Murphy was named on the three man Irish team to play in the World Amateur Team Championship in Carton House next month.  Murphy is joined by Tramore’s Robin Dawson and Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell.  The team, which is captained by Bandon’s John Carroll will play in the Eisenhower Trophy which is played over four rounds starting on Wednesday 5^th September.  Dawson, who is ranked number six in the world rankings, secured his place as the top Irish golfer in the WAGR rankings, the Tramore man played on the Irish team in European Championships last month and won the Irish Amateur Open in Royal County Down at the start of the season and he was runner up at the Amateur Championship last month.  Murphy and Purcell were both selected on their form this season, it’s Purcell’s second year on the Irish Mens team, a former junior tennis champions he recorded five top ten finished this year is addition to reaching the semi-final at the AIG Irish Close this week.

Speaking after the announcement, John Murphy was in great form.  “I’m obviously delighted to have made the team, it still hasn’t really sunk in.  I remember when I was at a boys panel session and Neil Manchip told me the world championships were going to be in Carton, I was thinking that would be so cool to go and watch.  It looks like I’ll be watching from a little closer than I thought now.”  While he has impressed this season, selection for the Eisenhower Trophy team was far from guaranteed.  “Even if you had told me a few months ago I would be playing, I would have laughed at you.  But that’s golf, it’s a funny game.”

Murphy, a second year University of Louisville student will be returning to college in Kentucky in the next two weeks and will return for the WATC in September.  The challenge of returning to college and getting back to Ireland soon will require a bit of planning for Murphy and the GUI, but the 20 year old Kinsale member will be ready for September.  “There’s going to be a lot of communication between my coaches in America and Captain/Mentors back home over the next few days to work out a definitive plan.  It’s going to be difficult to balance everything and make sure I stay on top of class work, but I’m sure it will work out.”  Murphy is also delighted to partner with Dawson and Purcell for the elite event which is set to attract 10,000 spectators over the two weeks of golf.  “I would consider myself great friends with the two lads and we get on exceptionally well.  They’re great fun to be around, and it’s fair to say they’re two of the best golfers I’ve played with.  As well as this, John Carrol is a top class captain and Neil Manchip will be sure to have us ready as a world class coach.  I really am excited about our chances, and to do it on home soil would be incredible. I’m very excited for the week.”  Murphy’s breakthrough this year happened on the Old Course in St Andrews when he won the St Andrew’s Links Trophy.  After that he was selected on the Irish team for the European Team Championships.

The World Amateur Team Championships are being hosted by the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union, the first time they will be held in Ireland. The Championships are conducted by the International Golf Federation. The Espirito Santo Trophy for women commences on Wednesday 29 August.  The first round of the Eisenhower Trophy begins on Wednesday 5 September and notable past players include Jack Nicklaus (1960), Phil Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods (1994), Sergio Garcia (1996 & 1998), Rory McIlroy (2006), Rickie Fowler (2008), Justin Thomas (2012), Jon Rahm (2014) and Paul Dunne (2014).