After more than a year away from competitive golf, Paraic Connolly is looking forward to returning to action when the Portumna member tees up at the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship at his home club.
A field of 132 players will make their way to the Galway venue to compete in the men’s season closing 72-hole Stroke Play event, with the opening two rounds taking place on Thursday and Friday before a cut ahead of Saturday’s final 36 holes.
Among that field is Connolly, a seasoned campaigner who has competed on the elite amateur circuit since 2005. An elbow injury however, halted his 20th season and has kept him out of action since early last year.
“I had tennis elbow on my right elbow at the start at the start of 2025,” said Connolly.
“I lost six months of ‘25 and then I’ve had tennis elbow on my left elbow since the end of January this year and only started playing again maybe two and a half weeks ago.”
The 41-year-old moved with his family to north Tipperary earlier this year and was quick to join Portumna, having fallen in love with the venue over the course of his 20-year amateur career.
As he battled back from his injuries, Connolly always had an eye on making a return in time to compete this week at his new home club.
“I was really keen to play if I could make it. Just being there is a good result for me after the last few months out,” said Connolly.
“I’m looking forward to actually being back playing golf.”
Connolly begins his championship at 1.33pm on Thursday alongside Harry McArdle (Warrenpoint) and Niall Fitzgerald (Shannon).
The championship also provides the final opportunity for players to make a move in the Bridgestone Order of Merit, with Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth) currently out in front.
With 300 points on offer to the winner, David Howard (Fota Island) and Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) could make a push for top spot, while David Kitt (Athenry) and Dylan Holmes (Greystones) will also look to finish strongly in the rankings.
For Connolly, however, the focus will be on enjoying his return to the game.
“There’s a mystical quality to Portumna,” said Connolly.
“I was keen to join when we bought the house down this way, but I love the course anyway, it’s got great variety. Really strong par fives, strong par threes and really interesting par fours. It’s got a great flow to it and builds to a crescendo at the end. It’s going to be a real test for everyone that plays this week.”
As Portumna prepares for another massive week on the Irish amateur golfing calendar, Connolly has seen first-hand the work that has gone into preparing the course, hailing the commitment of staff, volunteers and members to making the event one to remember.
“There’s a big sacrifice made by the club and the members to put on the week,” said Connolly.
“It’s a great honour for the club to host the Irish Close. It’s a tournament with such great history, and it’s a great privilege for the players to play such a great course in such brilliant condition, and that’s testament to Justin (O’Byrne) and all the staff at the club who’ve done a brilliant job in preparing the course.”
Connolly admits this may be one of his final appearances at an Irish Close, with a new addition to his young family on the way. But for now, he is not ready to call time on his career.
“I’m of the vintage now where I’m coming to the end of my competitive days in the senior championships,” said Connolly.
“I’m not sure, this might be my last one, but hopefully not. We’ll never say never.”
The AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship gets underway at 8.30am on Thursday under a two-tee start, with Tom Glennon (Kilkenny), Steven Gilmore (Cregmore Park) and Brendan Mulgrew (Galgorm) leading the field away from the first, while Christopher Caulfield (Carton House), Evan Hogg (Belvoir Park) and Eoin O’Carroll (St. Annes) begin at the 10th.
View tee times and scoring here
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