Amateur ladies allocated €74,800 by Golf Union

THE Irish Ladies Golf Union has allocated €74,800 to support the country’s top amateurs this year.

The grant allocations, partly funded by the Irish Sports Council (ISC), are awarded to assist ‘elite’ female amateurs to cover part of the cost of coaching, equipment and travel to tournaments.

The recipients were nominated based on final placings in the women’s and girls’ Order of Merit tables last season.

The Maguire twins (Slieve Russell) along with internationals Tara Delaney (Carlow), Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) and Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies) are listed in the top category, with the potential to receive a maximum grant of €7,000, while underage Internationals Sarah Crowe (Tipperary), Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) and Sarah Louise Winter (Carnalea) have the potential to receive €4,300.

Leona Maguire is the current Irish women’s champion while sister Lisa is the girls’ champion. Delaney, Kitching and McVeigh represented Ireland at the recent World Cup in Adelaide, Australia. Specific amounts have been allocated to various International tournaments and players may claim expenses following their participation in those tournaments. Additionally, players receive a maximum allowance to compete in Irish tournaments.

PLAYER FUNDING: Karen Delaney (Carlow) €7,000; Tara Delaney (Carlow) €7,000; Niamh Kitching (Claremorris) €7,000; Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) €7,000; Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) €7,000; Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co. Down Ladies) €7,000; Aedin Murphy (Carlow) €7,000; Deirdre Smith (Co. Louth) €7,000; Sarah Crowe (Tipperary) €4,300; Emma O’Driscoll (Ballybunion) €4,300; Caoimhe Quinn (Dugannon) €4,300; Sarah Louise Winter (Carnalea) €4,300; Anne McCormack (Roscommon) €800; Nikki Moore (Clandeboye) €800.