MacSweeney to lead Jacques Léglise team

Niall MacSweeney pictured at Athenry Golf Club. Picture: Golf Ireland

Niall MacSweeney has been appointed to Captain the Great Britain and Ireland Jacques Léglise team at The Island next year.

The Athenry clubman was Ireland’s Men’s Team Captain from 2022 to 2024 and was previously an Irish Men’s Selector from 2012.

The announcement came today, as Dean Robertson is set to lead the GB&I team for the 51st Walker Cup in Lahinch.

Becca Hembrough will be the Junior Vagliano Trophy Captain, also at The Island, while Catriona Matthew will again be the Curtis Cup Captain in Los Angeles.

Fota Island teenager John Doyle was part of this year’s Jacques Léglise team, where GB&I succumbed to a 15-10 defeat at Royal Golf Club of Belgium in August.

The Jacques Léglise and Junior Vagliano take place at The Island between 21 and 22 August.

“We are delighted for Niall on his appointment as Jacques Leglise Trophy Captain,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.

“As a former Ireland Men’s Captain, he has shown tremendous leadership and commitment to the game. We look forward to seeing him bring that passion and experience to his new role in 2026.”

Robertson – head of golf at the University of Stirling – took charge of the Walker Cup team for the first time in the 17-9 defeat at Cypress Point last month, with GB&I trailing by only a point going into the ten closing singles matches before the USA dominated.

The Scot’s meticulous work behind-the-scenes and strong rapport developed with the players helped secure the backing for a second stint as captain.

Robertson, who is also a highly regarded coach to a number of amateur players both on the college circuit in America and domestically within GB&I, will now aim to halt the USA’s run of five straight wins and secure a first GB&I victory in the match since 2015 when it is contested over the Irish links from 5-6 September.

The 55-year-old said, “I am proud to accept the honour of captaining Great Britain and Ireland again in the Walker Cup at Lahinch.

“Leading a talented group of players at Cypress Point this year was a huge privilege and while we produced strong foursomes performances, the singles showed us the improvement and belief needed to achieve victory.

“I am committed to captaining the team with drive and determination over the iconic links of Lahinch. The focus will be to build on this year’s performance with the goal of winning back the Walker Cup next year.” 

Robertson represented GB&I in the Walker Cup in 1993 and then turned professional that year. He went on to win the Italian Open in 1999 with a one-shot victory over Pádraig Harrington, made four appearances in The Open and represented Scotland in the World Cup in 1999 and 2001.

His appointment for this year’s match marked a new era for the GB&I side, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from his successful amateur and professional career.

In other international matches in 2026, Catriona Matthew OBE captains GB&I in the 44th Curtis Cup at Bel-Air in Los Angeles, California from June 12-14 – aiming for another team triumph after leading her side to success at Sunningdale last year.

The change to a biennial schedule in even-numbered years starting in 2026 for both the Curtis Cup and the Walker Cup has been made to avoid conflicts with the World Amateur Team Championships, which moved to odd-numbered years in 2023.