'The circle turned': Douglas honour late Donal O'Herlihy after Barton Shield win
Douglas Golf Club's 2026 Barton Shield-winning team with Don Coughlan, wearing Donal O'Herlihy's 1991 blazer fourth from the left. Pic: Douglas Golf Club
Applause swept through Douglas Golf Club's clubhouse on Sunday when Don Coughlan pulled on the blazer of his late friend Donal 'Hercs' O'Herlihy, who captained the club's 1991 Barton Shield-winning team. O'Herlihy, a club mainstay, died in early June.
Members had gathered to celebrate Douglas's first Barton Shield victory in 35 years and the women's team's third consecutive Senior Cup success.
Coughlan was on the victorious 1991 team. Last week, he was the captain as Douglas beat Royal Dublin at Shandon Park.
"Donal O’Herlihy was a stalwart in Douglas Golf Club," said Douglas general manager John McHenry.
"His father was a member and his whole family are members. He was a very active and popular member of the club.
"Don was part of his winning team back in 1991, so the circle turned. Don wanted to recognise that, and the club really endorsed the fact that he recognised Donal as part of his speech on Sunday night.
"Probably the biggest thing was that Donal was very enthusiastic towards the younger members. I would have been in his vintage, maybe a little bit younger, and he was extremely supportive of me and others who came through the ranks subsequently.
"He stayed very actively involved with the club, supporting it in any way he possibly could. His family have been very engaged. Chris and his children have been very engaged with the club, and they’re very visible around it. Even when he was very ill, he was coming up to the club every day or every other day. He was a huge part of the club."
Douglas defeated Royal Dublin last Thursday on a dramatic fourth play-off hole with 15-year-old Justin Dennehy sinking the winning putt from 20 feet.
"Justin has been winning underage tournaments, not only in Douglas but around Great Britain and Ireland, for the last number of years," said McHenry.
"It was lovely because last year he was only 14 years of age and hadn’t quite made the team, but he was very much in a supporting role, caddying and being part of the panel. He got his eyes on what it was all about. This year, he played a starring role.
"The club is thrilled to see these younger players emerging, putting their hands up for places on teams and playing winning roles."
The victory for Douglas's women's team was the second time the club has won three consecutive Senior Cups. McHenry believes the recent success can inspire further triumphs at national level.
A very touching moment last night when Team Captain Don Coughlan (a member of our 1991 Barton Shield winning team) put on the blazer of the Captain of the 1991 team, Donal O' Herlihy.
— Douglas Golf Club (@Douglasgolfclub) August 31, 2026
Sadly, Hercs passed away on June 3rd.
He's much missed by everyone in Douglas.
R.I.P., Hercs. pic.twitter.com/06STwUGOdx
"I think the most important thing for us is that you’re trying to create platforms here around competition," he said.
"While the ladies’ club have been extremely successful, especially in the Senior Cup, the men’s club are really finding their feet. More and more, any national title spreads far and wide.
"Hopefully, victories like those of the last couple of years will inspire not only the senior and upcoming senior players but, more importantly, a lot of the other teams participating in national competitions as well.
"You’re breaking down some hoodoos and barriers and realising that we can go out of Douglas and compete. More importantly, we can go to national finals and win them."
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