IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” at The K Club
Wow. That was the single word MC Greg McWilliams spoke after listening to seriously injured rugby player Ciarán McCarthy talk about the support he experienced from the rugby community after his accident and the landmark research in to spinal cord injury repair which Ciarán is an integral part of through his Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) that inspired Ciarán’s second book ‘Closer to walking again’.
Wow was the theme of the day at The K Club’s stunning Palmer North Championship Course which hosted the inaugural IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup”, coinciding with the 2025 Leinster Charity Golf Outing, kindly sponsored by Pinergy on Friday 6th June 2025. Many, many thanks to The K Club and Michael Fetherston, and in particular Eoin Cooper, John Costelloe, Paul Heery and all the staff at The K Club both on and off the course for making the entire experience extra special for everyone.
Twenty-six teams took part in the first ever IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup”, which is part of celebrating 150 years of Irish Rugby. Four of the teams were the invited winners from the 2024 Provincial Charity Golf Outings: Alrí Construction (Connacht), Custom Electronics (Leinster), Rochestown Nursing Home (Munster) and GMcG Group (Ulster). Thank you to the IRFU and especially the 150th Organising Committee, in particular Paul Dean, Michael Collopy and Peter Breen. Although the IRFU Charitable Trust is a separate entity to the IRFU, the IRFU remain the biggest supporters of the Trust in helping support those who have been seriously injured playing the game we love.
Golfers started to arrive from 11am for registration and to receive their substantial Goody Bags, including John Scally’s book “Together Standing Tall” kindly donated by the IRFU. Golfers were invited to partake in the Raffle with brilliant prizes from Aldi, Bank of Ireland, Conscious Convert, InterContinental Hotel and WineSpark to name a few. You can see the full list of Goody Bags content and Raffle Prizes on the Table Card shown on this page. Before teeing off for the 1pm Shotgun Scramble, all teams enjoyed the all important Breakfast Bap with Tea/Coffee in the Palmer North Terrace overlooking the 18th green. Many thanks to all 26 teams who took part on the day – your support for this event is greatly appreciated by all 37 seriously injured rugby players and their families.
The support from all those who contributed to the day is also greatly appreciated. In particular the event sponsor Pinergy, who are long-term supporters of rugby in Ireland and of those who have given more to the game than most – our seriously injured rugby players. Deepest thanks again to The K Club for very kindly hosting the event, and the very best of luck to The K Club for the Irish Open in a few months time. For the first time at a Leinster Charity Golf Outing, we had a very exciting “Hole-in-One” competition, kindly sponsored by Newgate Motor Group – special thanks to Jim Ring and Newgate Motor Group. Thank you to Aviva for helping with the insurance, as well as Ann Moran and Hugh Foley from Aon. Unfortunately we did not have a winner of the Kia EV6, which was the prize for the first Hole-in-One, but it certainly made for an exciting Par 3 3rd Tee Box for all 104 golfers!
Cleaning Contractors very kindly sponsored the “Longest Drives” competition for both ladies and men; and we were once again joined by Intersport Elverys who very kindly sponsored the “Nearest the Pins” competition on the Front 9 and Back 9. Thank you again to Ciaran O’Brien from Cleaning Contractors and Philip Staunton of Intersport Elverys; both of whom fielded a four-ball as well on the day.
Leinster Rugby also fielded a four-ball on the day. The IRFU Charitable Trust is the ‘Official Rugby Charity Partner’ to Leinster Rugby and as the season draws close to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Leinster Rugby for their continued support throughout the year, and in particular for raising awareness for the Leinster Charity Golf Outing. Again, without the compassion and commitment of the wider rugby community, the Trust could not continue to care for all our seriously injured rugby players.
Many thanks as well to our Media Partner DMG Media Group and in particular Business Plus, represented by Fintan Gavigan and the film crew of Rebecca Horan and Barry Finnegan. Golf Journalist and host of Major Moments Shane O’Donoghue was a guest on the day and he was interviewed, along with other guests, by Rebecca and Barry, a brilliant video of which can be seen on this page. As you will see from the video, a consistent message throughout is the support of the rugby community and how without this support, the IRFU Charitable Trust could not continue to support all our seriously injured rugby players and their loved ones.
The IRFU Charitable Trust Video Partner Get Broadcasting also joined us. Special thanks to Nirina and Bruno from Get Broadcasting for being dear friends to the IRFU Charitable Trust. Get Broadcasting will have a video overview of the entire event to air later so watch this space! For our photography, we would like to say a massive thank you to Ben Brady and INPHO Photography for the amazing photographs from the entire day.
As the golfers departed the course completing their 18 holes, we could see many a hopeful and many a not-so-hopeful set of teams. The obligatory “have you heard any of the scores” abounded with many trying to gauge their position during the drinks reception, which was very kindly sponsored by our long term supporter Guinness. Thank you to the team in Diageo, in particular Ellen Leonard. We also had a non-alcohol option, kindly provided by Fierce Mild which went down very well with designated drivers – many thanks to Fergal Carroll and Fierce Mild.
To kick off the dinner, IRFU Charitable Trust Chair, Michael Whelan thanked everyone, welcoming IRFU President Declan Madden to the stage to say a few words. As event sponsors, David Slattery from Pinergy was up next to welcome everyone. The three-course sit down dinner in the Palmer Restaurant was a big hit with all golfers and guests, with the packed room treated to a Q&A with special guests Shane Byrne and Devin Toner, brilliantly hosted by our MC Greg McWilliams. Leinster’s chances against Glasgow, reaching the URC final, the European Cup hangover and the Lions influence were all discussed, with great insights and a few stories from Devin and Shane which we cannot publish here! It was also great to have ex-Internationals Paul Dean, Luke Fitzgerald and Mick Galwey in attendance as well. Thank you again to Devin, Greg and Shane for all the support, and in particular Shane when it was revealed by Greg, that the Legends, who Shane has been a part of for many years, and Devin in recent years, have raised over €300,000 for the IRFU Charitable Trust. An incredible achievement and greatly appreciated by the Trust and all 37 seriously injured rugby players and their families!
Ciarán McCarthy, our guest of honour, who attended with his mum Brenda, was interviewed by Greg after the Q&A. Ciarán spoke about how freakish his accident was, blaming a water-logged pitch, and how he remains an avid fan of rugby to this day – a testament to the support he has received and continues to receive from the rugby community … and of course his biggest fan who was seated beside him – his mum Brenda! As mentioned at the start, Ciarán spoke passionately about the possible impact the current research into spinal cord injury repair may have on our seriously injured players with this injury, but also the global impact for all who have experienced a spinal cord injury across the entire planet! The IRFU Charitable Trust has been a part of the research from the very start, and this research inspired Ciarán’s second book which he very kindly offered to sign for anyone who purchased a copy. Thank you to Brenda and Ciarán for being with us and for sharing your story.
Before announcing the winners, Greg McWilliams ran through the Silent Auction Lots exclusively available to the people in the room with great Lots sponsored by Bank of Ireland, Cashel Palace and Ireland’s Blue Book; as well as a very special Lions jersey signed by legend Ollie Campbell. Thank you to Ollie, to all our contributors, and to all who bid.
To the winners! As mentioned, the Kia EV6 keys were not handed over by Newgate Motor Group although one person reportedly hit the flag! Winners of the “Longest Drives”, kindly sponsored by Cleaning Contractors, were Siúbhan Culliton who was part of the Foresthill Consultancy team; Christian Judd, part of the GMcG Group team, and Shane Byrne who was part of the Guest Team. Winners of the Intersport Elverys sponsored “Nearest the Pins” were Paddy Wallace, again from GMcG Group and … Barry Ruane from Intersport Elverys – the sponsor team!
In third place, with a score of 58.7 was Alrí Construction, the 2024 Connacht Charity Golf Outing winners made up of Alan, Declan and Gerry King, and Eoin O’Ceallaigh; who were presented with a limited edition 150th Commemorative Irish Jersey each by Paul Dean, 150th Committee Chair. Runners-up, netting 56.8, were the guest team of Shane Byrne, Greg McWilliams, Devin Toner and Jordi Murphy; who were presented a four-ball each from the Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort.
The winners of the inaugural IRFU Charitable Trust “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” were long term Trust supporters: UPMC | Sports Surgery Clinic, represented by Fiachra and Fionnan O’Connor, Daíthí de Róiste and Ray Cosgrove. Many congratulations to you all and please take the time to view the photos from the prize giving including the four Pinergy sponsored Golf Bags, presented by David Slattery from Pinergy; as well as the presentation of the four trophies and perpetual “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” to the winning team presented by IRFU President Declan Madden.
Remember, UPMC | Sports Surgery Clinic will be invited to the IRFU Charitable Trust 2026 “Irish Rugby 150th Golf Cup” to be hosted at the Fota Island Golf Resort coinciding with the Munster Charity Golf Outing. As it happens, the 2025 Munster Charity Golf Outing is up next on Friday 27th June, followed by Ulster in August and Connacht in September. The Munster and Ulster Charity Golf Outings are sold out but there are team spaces still available for the Connacht Charity Golf Outing – to book your team, please click here.
The IRFU Charitable Trust 2026 Leinster Charity Golf Outing date and location will be announced in due course – please check back and please book early.
Finally, thank you again to everyone who supported this Charity event. To all teams. To all partners and sponsors, without your ongoing commitment we could not run these events and raise much needed funds for our seriously injured players. To all the companies and individuals who contributed to the substantial Goody Bags, Raffle Prizes, Silent Auction and Tee Sponsorships. To the IRFU Charitable Trust Team on the day, Brid Berkeley, Linda Black, Hilary Sheridan, Robert Deacon, Marc Sheridan and Michael Whelan. To one and all – thank you.
