Shannon Burke eyes more Mayo glory at AIG Irish Women’s Close
Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) aims for more Mayo success as she tees up at the AIG Irish Women’s & Girls' Amateur Close Championship at Enniscrone this week. Photo: Inpho | Nick Elliot
Shannon Burke will hope the Sam Maguire won’t be the only piece of silverware that finds its home in Mayo this year as the Ballinrobe golfer sets her sights on winning the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship when she tees it up at Enniscrone this week.
One of the marquee events on the Irish amateur golf calendar, the AIG Irish Women’s and Girls’ Amateur Close Championships get underway on Tuesday morning, with 90 of the island’s top players set to battle it out across four days of competition on the County Sligo links.
Mayo’s dramatic All-Ireland Senior Football Championship victory over Kerry on Sunday ended a 75-year wait for Sam Maguire to return to the county. Burke was in Croke Park to witness Andy Moran's side make history and will hope to continue the celebrations for her home county by lifting one of Irish amateur golf's most prestigious titles.
“We had so much heartbreak in Croke Park,” said Burke.
“There was definitely a bit of disbelief when the hooter went but it was class. It felt like seventy percent of the crowd were from Mayo. It was outrageous.”
Burke enjoyed an incredible season in 2025, ending a seven-year wait for an Irish championship title when she claimed her second Leinster Over 18 Women’s Amateur Open Championship in April. That victory sparked a remarkable campaign as the 30-year-old went on to add the Connacht, Munster and Irish Women’s Mid-Amateur titles to her collection before helping Douglas successfully defend the AIG Women’s Senior Cup. She rounded out the year by claiming a bronze medal with Ireland at the European Mid-Amateur Team Championship.
“Over the winter you set out and have a think about what you want to achieve, and you put the work in, but I definitely didn’t envisage having a year like I did last year,” said Burke.
“You put the work in, and you do everything you can. Last year was incredible.”
The championships begin with 36 holes of Stroke Play qualifying on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the top 16 players in both the Women’s and Girls’ championships advancing to the match play stages on Thursday and Friday.
Burke begins her opening round at 10.01am on Tuesday alongside Flogas Irish Girls’ Amateur Open champion Olivia Costello (Roscommon) and 2025 runner-up Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park) in one of the standout groups of the morning.
Having gone unbeaten as Douglas retained the AIG Women’s Senior Cup last year, Burke knows she will need to be at her best to reach the match play stages. However, her experience could pay dividends if she can once again book her place in the last 16.
“I really enjoy match play,” said Burke.
“With match play anything can happen. It’s really important. The biggest thing with match play is staying out there as long as you can and playing the person in front of you.”
“I am definitely someone who likes to play the person. It brings out a bit more of a competitor in me. It gets the best out of me.
“With such a small number of people qualifying for the match play you’re trying to hit the ground running but also, especially around Enniscrone, you are trying to keep it in play and do the simple things well.”
With her 2025 achievements marking the most impressive year of her amateur career to date, Burke has the opportunity to secure more Mayo success by adding another prestigious title to her collection come Friday afternoon.
“I’m a very happy Mayo woman this week no matter what happens,” said Burke.
“It would be class to try and replicate some of the magic the lads had in Croke Park yesterday. They definitely inspired me a little bit driving down here this morning, it would be very cool.”
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