Mayor Hosts Reception Honouring Galgorm Golf Club’s Outstanding Junior Achievements
Wednesday 19 November 2025
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, welcomed the Galgorm Golf Club Junior Players to a special Mayoral reception in recognition of an exceptional season for the club.
This year, Galgorm celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of two teams: the Junior Cup team, a senior men’s competition played over five single matches for male golfers with a handicap no lower than 2.5 in the previous year, and the Fred Daly team, the premier junior boys’ competition on the island of Ireland, contested over five single flat matches and open to all handicaps.
Both teams secured victory in their Ulster North finals, earning their places at the All-Ireland finals in their respective championships.
- The Fred Daly Finals took place at Donabate Golf Club from 18-20 August.
- The Junior Cup Finals followed at Tandragee Golf Club on 5-6 September.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said:
“These players have represented Galgorm and our Borough with remarkable skill, determination and sportsmanship. Their achievements this year stand as an example not just to other young athletes, but to the entire community. I am incredibly proud to celebrate their success and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years ahead.”
Each competition brings together the champions from Leinster, Connacht, Munster and Ulster, beginning with quarterfinals and concluding in the national final. In an extraordinary achievement for the club, both Galgorm teams progressed all the way to the All-Ireland finals however, just missing out on the titles with 3–2 defeats.
The Fred Daly team’s success marked a historic first for the club, the first Galgorm team ever to reach an All-Ireland final. Previously, only two club teams had reached All-Ireland semi-finals: the Senior Cup team last year and the Boys Foursomes three years ago. The Fred Daly squad consisted of seven boys, with the Junior Cup team featuring three junior golfers within its five-man panel.
The club’s junior strength was further highlighted through its representation in the 2024 Boys Inter-Provincial Championships:
- Ulster U18: Cole Henderson
- Ulster U16: Harris Fleming, Adam Doherty & Fionn McCormick
- Ulster U14: Parker Bonnes, Rory Brown, Jack McKee & Thomas Owens
In a major individual accolade, Harris Fleming will be honoured as Ulster U16 Golfer of the Year at next week’s Ulster AGM.
More success followed at the Ulster Junior Close Championship at Ballyclare Golf Club on 26 August, where Galgorm players delivered outstanding performances:
- Brendan Mulgrew – 2nd place, Boys U18
- Fionn McCormick – Winner, U16
- Parker Bonnes – Winner, U14
- Mollie Blair – Winner, U18 Girls
The reception celebrated not only their achievements, but also their passion and dedication that continue to inspire the next generation of golfers.