Cian McNamara is just two shots off the lead in the PGA Professional Championship at Little Aston. The Monkstown man produced rounds of 67 and 69 to reach the halfway stage on -8 and tied for 4th place. McNamara is on a run of good form and had 13 birdies over the two rounds to put himself in a position to claim the £10,000 top prize. McNamara has finished in the top ten last year and will be hoping for another decent payday this year. David Higgins is just outside the top ten on -6 and Headforts Joe Dillon is just one off the lead on -9.
The original field of over 120 golfers has now been reduced to 50 (top 40 plus ties) for the final two rounds. The third round plash is currently underway and with a majority of the golfers on the course under par it should be an interesting moving day.
Monkstown’s Shane Irwin captured his first professional win on Monday when he won the Morgan O’Donovan Perpetual Trophy at his home course. The Limerick native shot a 65 to claim the final event in Munster PGA winter series. Irwin had a great start, he had a birdie on the second, and the had four in a row from the fourth to the seventh. Two more birdies followed on the back nine but he also had two bogies. Holding the lead from the back nine was crucial as he had one shot to spare over the holder David Higgins. Cian McNamara was third a further shot back. It was a double win for Irwin, he partnered Monkstown President Ada O’Sullivan won the pro-am competition. The pair scored 47 points to finish three points ahead of the field. Needles to say, Shane was delighted with his win. “It’s always nice to win, especially against such good players that were playing today’s event” said the Monkstown assistant. “To win is always great no matter what your playing. I didn’t except to have any great intentions as myself and Cian had so many things on our mind regarding the event. I must say that today’s event was a great success for everyone the club, and it was a great day to remember Morgan O Donovan and what I’ve been told a humble and great man he was not only in Monkstown but everywhere he worked and played.” The Monkstown pro-am marked the start of a busy summer season for PGA Professionals and Shane is looking forward to the season. “I’ll be 
Former Irish International Ada O’Sullivan is looking forward to a busy year, in December she was elected as President in Monkstown Golf Club and the decorated golfer is looking forward to the year ahead. Having played and managed at the highest level, Ada is now taking on a different role and is keen to take on some of the challenges that golf has. In recent years Monkstown have grown their membership thanks to the progressive work of various club committees. “Like all businesses Monkstown Golf club is no different and has had to adapt to the economic change and make the club more attractive to existing members and entice new members through various packages and programmes” explained Ada. “It is recognised nationally that the majority of golf clubs have a missed generation 30yrs -45 years old and the game of golf became less attractive due to expensive joining fees, a round of golf taking up to five hours hence the lowering of fees and the introduction of nine-hole competitions have proven to be successful and we have seen especially in the past three years a large increase in the lady membership at Monkstown. We are also extremely fortunate to have a young, energetic, enthusiastic club Professional in Cian McNamara who along with the Junior Committees have a superb junior golf programme in place and as a result has gone from strength to strength with Boys and Girls in the past three years. The club is 
Monkstown Head Professional Cian McNamara has an exciting event next week, he’s heading to France for stage one of the European Tour Qualifying School. McNamara has spent well over three years in Monkstown and the Limerick native was appointed as Head Professional two years ago. Prior that he was effectively a full-time player on the Irish PGA circuit. After a year in Monkstown an opportunity arose to become head pro, and in the past two years Cian has grown into the prestigious position. It was a big change for Cian but one that has worked out. “Things have changed dramatically for me over the two years. I have far more responsibility now than I ever had in my life but I feel I am growing into the position and hope that members of the golf club feel that I am improving in the role more as time is going on” said Cian on 
