Club News
Winter Works underway
The latest phase of the Portsalon Project 2030 is now underway, with works commenced to transfer the Par 3 12th hole into a Par 4.
From Tuesday, October 28th play will be 15 holes only until March, encompassing holes 1-10 and holes 14-18. No play is permitted on holes 11, 12 and 13 and players are asked not to enter the course at Kilavee while work is ongoing in order to comply with health & safety.

Scramble and Presentation Night
There will be a four-person scramble on Saturday November 22nd (timesheet in operation) followed by finger food in the clubhouse that evening for members as a thank you to all those that represented the club this year on teams or as team captains. The evening is open to all, whether you were part of a team this year, or wish to be on one next year. We will also hold the presentations for the Club Matchplay events on the night.

Club Results
Wednesday November 5th
Winner: Joe Hensey (17) – 33 pts
Runner-up: Conor Doherty (28) – 31 pts

Saturday November 8th
Winner: Stephen Connolly (5) – 33 pts
Runner-up: Gerrard Dorrian (12) – 32 pts
Gross: Kevin Boyce (5) – 27 gross pts
Third: Mark Howard (8) – 31 pts

Sunday November 9th
Winner: Eamonn McConigley (5) – 34 pts
Runner-up: Shaun Campbell (15) – 30 pts
Gross: Jamie Foley (Scr) – 30 gross pts
Third: Noel Kiernan (13) – 30 pts
*All comps played over 15 holes

Ladies News

Christmas Hamper
The annual Christmas Hamper competition will be played on Saturday November 29th. Ladies are asked to indicate their intention to play, by signing on the entry sheet in the ladies locker room with the €15 entry fee by the 23rd November.


Ladies Winter Links
The timesheet for the ladies links will open on the 20th November at 08.00. The links will be played on Thursday 27th November.
Book online or call the shop to 074 915 9459

Weekend Members Results
15 Holes

2nd Nov – Winner Mary Barrett 30 pts

9th Nov -Winner Deirdre O’Toole 29pts

Club Results
Wednesday October 15th
Winner: George Blaney (20) – 42 pts
Runner-up: Conor Blaney (29) – 39 pts
Gross: Davitt Walsh (6) – 30 gross pts
Saturday October 18th
Winner: Dermot Shields (6) – 37 pts
Runner-up: Kevin Hensey (5) – 36
Captain's Away Outing Ballyliffin Old
Winner: Eamonn McDermott (11) – 39 pts
Runner-up: Stephen Connolly (5) – 36 pts BOT
Gross: Ryan McGettigan (Scr) – 34 gross pts
Third: Pat Green (15) – 36 pts 

Club News
Donegal League winners - Back-to-back for Charlie's Angels
Portsalon retained the Paddy Carry Donegal League trophy on Sunday evening in dramatic fashion with the slenderest of victories over a gallant Buncrana GC side.
Trailing 4-1 from the first leg, Cathal Canning's side needed to push their home advantage right to the wire to get a positive outcome, but even Roald Dahl himself would have struggled to come up with a storybook ending quite like this one.
Four of the five matches concluded on the 18th green, with the other wrapped up early, on the 17th, as both teams scrapped in gritty fashion for every inch.
With Portsalon having spent much of the afternoon trailing, victory looked unlikely, but the willingness to dig deep into the well would pay off deep, deep into the evening's setting sun.
It was drama of the highest order, and both teams can be immensely proud of their efforts. As the matches reached the closing holes, the Portsalon team found themselves needing absolutely everything to fall just right, and so it proved.
In Match 1, Ryan McGettigan holed a birdie putt from just off the back of the green to grab a 1up win alongside partner Johnny Shields.
In Match 2, it was Jack Friel that holed out under pressure for par to sway the verdict his way with partner Kevin Boyce.
In Match 3, Portsalon original Eamonn McConigley conjured up a Seve-esque up and down from the greenside bunker, rolling home a 10-footer for par to seal a half-point after he and partner Davitt Walsh recovered having at one stage having found themselves 3 down on the back nine.
Out the back, in Match 5, Donal Callaghan Jnr and Paddy McGowan recovered from 2 down after 12 to win 2&1 on the 17th green.
That all left the Match 4 pairing of Stephen Connolly and Alistair Rodger carrying the burden, leading 1 up on the 18th green and knowing a halved hole would be enough. Both were left with tricky par putts and it was the Wolverhampton Wanderer Alistair that got first bite and drained his putt to seal a wonderful team success under the blood red sky in Portsalon.
A monumental team effort from all concerned to edge the tightest of wins.
There is no doubting, it very easily could have gone the other way. Buncrana skipper Shane Devlin and his squad will certainly feel they were a roll or two from claiming the spoils, and nobody could have argued had they got there.
Another magical advertisement for the Paddy Carr Donegal League. Congrats to Team Captain Cathal and his players on a wonderful achievement!

Play in Pink – 4-Ball Scramble Any Combo
A massive thanks to everyone that turned out yesterday for the Play In Pink event, raising funds for Breast Cancer Ireland. Well done to our Ladies Branch for all their organisation. We are thrilled to confirm that more than €2,000 has been raised.
Winners: E. Scanlon, G. Scanlon, M. Boyce & J. Barry – 52.0
Runners-up: K. Toland, L. Duffy, M. Molloy & S. Gibbons – 55.0
Third: B. Kelly, M. Devlin, D. Kelly & G. Devlin – 56.0 BOT

Club Results
Wednesday October 8th
Winner: Kieran Doherty (34) – 37 pts
Runner-up: John Logue (17) – 36 pts

Saturday October 11th
Winner: Sean Canning (17) – 41 pts BOT
Runner-up: Enda Cullen (11) – 41 pts
Gross: Cian Page (4) – 34 gross pts
Third: Brendan Cullen (22) – 39 pts

Sunday October 12th
Winner: Jacob McDaid (27) – 45 pts
Runner-up: Ivan Brunt (19) – 40 pts BOT
Gross: Paul Whorton (1) – 37 gross pts
Third: Donall Barrett (16) – 40 pts

Ladies Winter Links

Ladies are reminded the Winter Links will be played on the earlier date of Thursday 23rd October due to winter works commencing on the course. Tee times may be booked by calling the club on 074 915 9459 or by booking online.

Club News
Captains Away Weekend
Congratulations to John Martin who won the Captains Away Weekend in Knightsbrook County Meath. He was inspired by the European Ryder Cup team to acquire the coveted prize of an Adare Manor 2027 Ryder Cup Jersey, presented to him by Vice Captain Dr. Enda Cullen

Donegal League finalist in a battle with Buncrana
Cathal Canning's reigning Donegal League champs have their work cut out to hold onto the Paddy Carr Memorial Trophy after Sunday's first leg ended in a 4-1 success for Buncrana.
The contest was played in majestic autumnal sunshine on the shores of Lough Swilly and, as anticipated the home team were strong on their own patch.
Portsalon's opening pairings of Ryan McGettigan & Jack Patton and Johnny Shields & Shane Magee both saw their matches end in defeat on the 17th green.
In match three, Kevin Boyce and Eamonn McConigley came up with a superb display to close out a 5&4 win and give Portsalon the match they desperately wanted.
Behind them, Davitt Walsh and Stephen Connolly were defeated on 16th hole after another close contest and, in the final match, Paddy McGowan and Justin Green saw their hopes dashed on the 18th green as Buncrana claimed victory on the tricky par three.
It was certainly a gallant effort from the entire Portsalon side, with the matches played in a friendly and competitive spirit. Buncrana have a lead to hold onto for the second leg on Sunday 12th October in Portsalon but the home side will know there is little in it in terms of holes and will be setting their stall out to get the four matches or more they need to retain the Donegal League.

Clubs Results
Wednesday September 24th
Winner: John Logue (16) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Clive Davison (10) – 38pts

Saturday September 27th
Winner: Trevor Duncan (18) – 42pts
Runner-up: Ray Devenney (15) – 42pts

Sunday September 28th
Winner: Ray Devenney (14) – 43 pts
Runner-up: John Joe McGowan (24) – 42pts
Gross: Kevin McGonagle (7) – 31 gross pts
Third: Joe Ferry (14) – 42 pts


Ladies News

Ladies Winter Links
Incredibly good scores were returned by the ladies, on the first day of the ladies’ winter links in Portsalon Golf Club on Thursday 25th September. The shot of the day, came from Edith Neely of Ballybofey & Stranorlar Golf Club who recorded, to much excitement, her very first Hole in One at the 10th Hole. The next ladies winter links will be played on Thursday 30th October.

Winner
Evelyn O’Malley (40) Letterkenny Golf Club 44pts
Runner – Up – Mary Ferry (30) 42pts
Gross – Bernie McQuade (6) 27pts
3rd – Heather Fleming (37) 40pts
4th - Edith Neely (27) 39pts
5th - Carol McDaid (36) 38pts
6th - Sheila King (38) 38pts

Front 9 – Eileen McLarnon (31) 21pts
Back 9 – Suzanne Gallagher (21) 21pts

Two’s
Edith Neely (27) 1 @10th
Sandra McMonagle (17) 2 @ 10th
Madge Kelly (25) 2 @ 15th
Ann Currie (19) 2 @ 10th
Anne Sweeney (28) 2 @ 10th


Mary McDaid Cup
Saturday 27th September brought the teams from Portsalon, Letterkenny and Rosapenna together to celebrate and remember lady golfers no longer with us. Happy memories of many of our friends who took to the fairways in all sorts of weather, sharing the love of the sport and enjoying the camaraderie. Many thanks to Roisin Kerr who presented the cup on behalf of the McDaid family.

Winners Mary McDaid Cup - Portsalon Golf Club 278 pts

Individual Winner - Mary Barrett Portsalon GC 43pts


Teams
1st - 114pts
Mary Barrett Portsalon GC
Anne Condon Letterkenny GC
Bríd McMenamin Rosapenna GC


Runners-Up 110 pts
Eileen McLarnon Portsalon GC
Margaret Harvey Letterkenny GC
Marina Hamilton Rosapenna GC


3rd - 108 pts
Deirdre Hensey Portsalon GC
Katrina Rainey Letterkenny GC
Terri Martin Rosapenna GC


Yellow Ball Team
Pamela Clinton Portsalon GC
Marian O’Sullivan Letterkenny GC
Kit Boyce Rosapenna GC


Play in Pink

An Open Ladies and Gents Fourball scramble will be held on the 10th Oct All money received from entries will go directly to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.
Tickets for a Draw will also be on sale with all proceeds also going to the charity.
Cost : €10 members and €40 visitors
To Book – https://visitors.brsgolf.com/portsalon#//open-competition
Timesheet is now open. Book online at the above link or call the shop on 074 915 9459.
Weekend Members Competition
Winner - Anne Speedie 72 Nett
Runner-Up Pamela Clinton 73 Nett BOT

Club Results
Saturday 13th September
Winner: Dylan Dorrian (30) – 39 pts
Runner-up: Justin Green (11) – 36 pts
Gross: Jack Friel (4) – 29 gross pts
Third: Eoin O'Donnell (22) – 34 pts

Sunday 14th September
Winner: Joe Hensey (18) – 36 pts

Bar/Restaurant Catering Franchise.
Tenders are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the Bar/Restaurant Catering Franchise at Portsalon Golf Club commencing January 2026.
Full tender document available on request.
Contact:
Daragh Lyons
Portsalon Golf Club
Croaghross
Portsalon
Email: [email protected]

Ladies News

Past Captain’s Day
Sat 20th September will see the Portsalon Past Lady Captain’s take to the course to celebrate a great annual event. The evening will finish off with dinner in the clubhouse, served by Roisin and her staff.

Mary McDaid Cup team
Due to inclement weather last weekend, the qualifying event for the team has been rescheduled and will be played on the 19th - alternate day, or the main day 21st September.

Weekend members competition.
Congratulations to Tricia Bradley who returned an excellent score of 42 points.

Club News
Donegal League defence to go the distance
Cathal Canning and his Donegal League squad have booked their place in the final after a tense win over Strabane this evening.
The second leg was amid gusting winds in Strabane, with Portsalon leading 4-1 from the first leg.
The home side were always likely to push things to the wire in their attempts to overturn that deficit and so it proved.
Keeping things tight was going to be the order of the day, with Portsalon attempting to grab that one game on the road.
The opening two pairings, Ryan McGettigan & Shane Magee and Johnny Shields & Jack Friel were defeated 2&1, enough to leave Portsalon still five holes to the good.
The remaining three games on the course were all on holes 17 and 18 with the tension ratcheted up.
Eamonn McConigley and Kevin Boyce led their game 1up and won the 18th for a 2up win and the point Portsalon needed to secure the win.
Behind, both pairings of Davitt Walsh & Stephen Connolly and Alistair Rodger and Paddy McGowan were 1 down through 17 holes, ensuring there wasn't enough holes left for Strabane to overturn the outcome and the final two games were called in.
Well done to Team Captain Cathal on reaching the final once more, where his side will face Buncrana GC for the Paddy Carr Donegal League crown and the chance for Portsalon to land back-to-back wins for the first time.

Donegal Seniors falls short in Murvagh
Commiserations to Team Captain Joe Hensey and his gallant Donegal Seniors squad after they came up agonisingly short in their county final against Donegal GC in Murvagh on Sunday.
Portsalon took a 3.5 to 1.5 advantage from the first leg on home soil as they travelled through the gap for the second set of matches.
It was always going to be a tough challenge for the visiting side against a strong selection from Murvagh.
Portsalon's opening pairing of Shane Magee and Pascal Cullen were defeated and matches three and four also went Murvagh's way despite the best effort of Enda Cullen & Eunan McGlynn and Alistair Rodger & Brian Devlin.
Hope sprang eternal for Portsalon as Diarmuid Logue and Philip Durning won match two on the course to put victory overall in the mix.
It left the final pairing of Chuck McTaggart and John Logue with the game hinging on their tie. Their match was close from start to finish and came through 16 holes all-square but it was Murvagh that went 1up after 17, enough to seal a county title for their Captain Donie McIntyre and his squad with Portsalon beaten on holes.
A tough loss for skipper Joe and his troops after a good summer, the second year in a row they have fallen one short, but they certainly cannot be faulted on effort and commitment.
Congratulations to Murvagh on their hard-earned victory and for the sporting manner in which both legs of the final were played.

Club Results
Wednesday September 3rd
Winner: Colm McConigley ( 8 ) – 39 pts
Saturday September 6th
Winner: Cian Page (5) – 40 pts
Runner-up: Seamus Conner (1) – 39 pts BOT
Gross: Kevin Hensey (4) – 31 gross pts

Sunday September 7th
Winner: Ivan Brunt (20) – 38 pts
Runner-up: Fergal Coll (21) – 35 pts
Gross: Shaun Strain ( 8 ) – 26 gross pts
Third: Gerard Duffy (13) – 34 pts

Ladies News

Past Captains
The annual past Captains day is Saturday 20th March. Lady Captain Roisin
McCormack looks forward to welcoming Portsalon Golf Club’s past captains. If
you have not responded to your invite indicating playing and attending the
evening meal, please let her know.

Mary McDaid Cup
The annual inter-club Mary McDaid Cup will be played on the 27th September.
Notification to follow of qualifying dates for the team.

Weekend Members Competition
Winner – Eileen McLarnon 35 pts
Runner-Up – Mary Barrett 33pts

Club News
Claire McGonagle wins President's Prize
Claire McGonagle mastered the toughest of playing conditions on Saturday to land the final Major of the season in Portsalon as she won Mae Blaney's Presidents' Prize in the wind and rain.
The conditions were far from appealing but the large turnout reflected the esteem in which Madam President is held and the chance to claim the final major of the season was enough to entice the players out in the rain.
Claire's tally of 40 points was enough to secure the top prize, with just one point to spare on a trio of 39-point finishers.

Mae Blaney's Presidents' Prize – Saturday August 30th
Winner: Claire McGonagle – 40 pts
Runner-up: Bernard McGettigan – 39 pts BOT
Gross: Jack Friel – 28 gross pts
Third: Damien Buchanan – 39 pts BOT
First Nine: Noel Gillespie – 21 pts
Second Nine: Connor Scallon – 20 pts
Nearest the Pin: Dean Doherty
Longest Drive: Brian McAleer
Past President: Garett Horkan
Visitor: John Mee
Ladies Second: Frances Shannon – 33 pts
Ladies Gross: Roisin McCormack – 19 gross pts
Ladies Third: Anne Busche – 31 pts BOT
Beginner Lady: Erin Scanlon
Ladies Longest Drive: Claire McGonagle
Ladies Nearest the Pin: Pamela Clinton-McDermott
Ladies First Nine: Aedeen Conway – 16 pts
Ladies Second Nine: Karen McGlinchey – 16 pts
Club Results

Wednesday August 27th
Winner: Bernard Nash (25) – 42 pts
Sunday August 31st
Winner: Vincent Bradley (22) – 30 pts

Team News
Another busy weekend in store for Portsalon's remaining teams. On Saturday, Cathal Canning takes his Donegal League squad to Strabane for the second leg of their semi-final. Portsalon are clutching a 4-1 advantage from the first leg, but it is sure to be a tough test against a strong Strabane team on home soil. The winners will face Buncrana GC in the 2025 final after they overcame Murvagh in their semi-final on Saturday.
On Sunday, Joe Hensey and his Donegal Over 55s are heading Thru the Gap to tackle Murvagh in second leg of their final. Portsalon have their noses in front after the first leg, 3.5 to 1.5, and once again a battle to the winning post is almost certain. After missing out at the final hurdle 12 months ago, Joe and his panel will be eager to see it over the line now and he's picked a strong side to go into battle. Best of luck to both Portsalon teams over the weekend.

Ladies News

President’s Day
While it is true to say that some pilots found the conditions tough 30,000 feet above the ground, the same could not be said for Claire McGonagle who embraced the conditions on President Mae Blaney’s Day in Portsalon Golf Club on Saturday 30thAugust. While flights were being diverted from Dublin, and unable to land, the ball of Claire McGonagle remained on course and on target.

Playing off 6hcp, Claire’s gusty performance returned an incredible 40 points to win the overall President’s Prize and final major of the year. 5 Pars and 2 Birdies on the front 9 were quickly followed by 8 Pars and 1 birdie on the Back 9, which also included the longest drive for the Ladies.

As the third lady to hold the office of President of Portsalon Golf Club, Mae Blaney, who is also a past Lady Captain, has been a committed member of the club over many years serving on the Ladies Committee and currently as Chair of Council. She is universally respected by the members, and that was proven by the huge turnout in conditions that really dictated a cosy lie-in on Saturday morning.

Congratulations to everyone, who in teeing off at the first, showed Madam President the esteem in which she is held.


Results Mae Blaney’s President’s Day


2025 President’s Prize Winner – Claire McGonagle 40pts


Ladies Results


2nd – Frances Shannon 33pts Bot
Gross – Roisin McCormack 19 gross points
3rd – Anne Busch 31pts Bot
Front 9 – Aedeen Conway 16 pts
Back 9 – Karen McGlinchey 16pts
Nearest the Pin – 10th Hole -Pamela Clinton McDermott
Longest Drive – 11th Hole -Claire McGonagle
Beginner Lady – Erin Scanlon


Ulster Women’s Silver and Broze Medals 2025

Representing Portsalon Golf Club in Bangor on the 1st Sept, the winner of the 2025 Silver Medal is Claire McGonagle. The Ulster area finals will determine who goes forward to play in Headford on Oct 1st in the All Ireland Silver and Bronze Medal Finals 2025. Lady Captain Roisin McCormack and the ladies branch send good luck wishes to Claire.


Weekend members results.


While President’s Day was the main event of the weekend, it was also the August medal competition. The blustery weather conditions on Sunday meant a valid competition could not be determined, as not enough players entered.
I don’t usually post results if there is no valid competition, but two ladies took to the course on Friday, the Alternate Day and played the Stroke Competition. What is special about these ladies is, they are part of the lady beginner group who took up golf in 2024. It is indeed wonderful to see the ladies progressing and enjoying competitive golf!
Erin Scanlon and Maeve Ward, we will definitely be hearing more about you in the coming seasons!

Team News
Joe Hensey and his Donegal Over 55s hosted Murvagh GC on Sunday afternoon in their Donegal county final first leg.
The Portsalon team managed to get 3.5 matches out of the five played, leaving the tie in the balance for the second leg in two weeks.
Also on Sunday, Cathal Canning's Donegal League team were at home to Strabane in their semi-final first leg. Portsalon took four matches from the five on offer, with the second leg to come in Strabane in a fortnight.

Club Matchplay Final
Best of luck to Patrick McGowan and Justin Green, who will contest this year's Club Matchplay final after seeing off John Shields and Paddy Kelly Jnr respectively in two close semi-final battles.

President's Day
Mae Blaney's big day takes place on Saturday as she hosts her first President's Day. Mae has long been a wonderful ambassador for Portsalon GC and it is fitting that she has become just the second lady member to hold the office of Club President. It's a thoroughly deserved accolade and we wish her well for the big day – fingers crossed she has the same weather contacts as the Lady Captain!

Clubs Results

Wednesday August 20th
Winner: Seanan McAleer ( 8 ) – 41 pts
Runner-up: Ollie O'Dowd (13) – 40 pts BOT
Gross: Cian Harkin (+2) – 38 gross pts
Third: Fionn Robinson (16) – 40 pts

Saturday August 23rd
Winner: Andy Boland (20) – 45 pts
Runner-up: Mick Leonard (12) – 41 pts BOT
Gross: Cian Page (5) – 33 gross pts
Third: Mark Howard (11) – 41 pts

Sunday August 24th
Winner: Brian Haughey (17) – 41 pts BOT
Runner-up: Mark Cohen (19) – 41 pts
Gross: Paul Gallagher (10) – 30 gross pts
Third: Darren Murray (13) – 40 pts

Ladies News

Mae Blaney Presidents Day
Saturday 30th August is the Portsalon Golf Club President’s Day and is the final major of 2025 in the ladies calendar. A packed timesheet for Mae Blaney’s day with ladies and gents both competing for the President’s Prize. A little wind and drizzle has been promised by the forecasters, just to add a little spice to that back 9!
Lady Captain Roisin McCormack and everyone in the ladies branch wish President Mae a most enjoyable day on Saturday.


Donegal Senior Ladies
Portsalon Golf Club hosted the Captain’s Day of the Donegal Ladies Seniors on Monday 25th August. Deirdre Hensey, the 2025 Seniors Captain welcomed everyone to Portsalon Golf Club concluding a summer of great golf throughout the county.

While there were some heavy downpours in the afternoon, the windy conditions throughout the day made it pretty much the same for everyone.
Sheila Doherty of Cruit Island Golf Club emerged as the winner with an excellent 43 points particularly given the conditions of the day.

Weather conditions on a couple of occasions resulted in postponements. As a result, the rescheduled Ballybofey and Stranorlar GC outing will be played on the 8th September.

Weekend Members Competition

The scores over the weekend were incredible with any of them capable of being a winning score on any other weekend.
Taking the podium finish was Claire Ferry with a superb 43 points. A couple of 40 points results didn’t even feature in the prize winners!

Winner – Claire Ferry 43pts
Runner-Up – Noreen McConigley 41pts