12 man team, 54 hole foursomes
Venue: Portmarnock Golf Club
Date: 16th & 17th April 2026
Match Manager DUGS: F Quilty
Match Manager Hittites: R Jeffrey
Results
Thursday Morning
DUGS Hittites
1. A Hopkins & R Kennelly 5/4 vs J Seal & A Sage
2. J Counihan & D Conway vs 4/3 E Smith & P Hemsted
3. N Dillon & M Mina Ronayne vs 1up R McBurney & N Martin
4. B Conway & C McCormack 7/6 vs R Jeffrey & A Uttley
5. J Conway & F Quilty 2/1 vs D Staunton & S Cowdy
6. D Coghlan & A Neill 5/4 vs R Galley & R Reed
DUGS 4 : 2 Hittites
Thursday Afternoon
1. D Coghlan & B Conway 2/1 vs E Smith & D Staunton
2. J Counihan & A Neill 1up vs N Martin & R Reed
3. R Kennelly & M Mina Ronayne 5/4 vs R Galley & R McBurney
4. D Conway & F Quilty vs 5/4 P Hemsted & A Uttley
5. J Conway & N Dillon 6/5 vs R Jeffrey & J Seal
6. A Hopkins & C McCormack 3/2 vs S Cowdy & A Sage
DUGS 5 : 1 Hittites
Friday Morning
1. D Coghlan & M Mina Ronayne AS vs AS N Martin & A Sage
2. J Counihan & A Hopkins 5/4 vs P Hemsted & R McBurney
3. D Conway & C McCormack 3/2 vs D Staunton & A Uttley
4. N Dillon & F Quilty 3/2 vs R Jeffrey & R Reed
5. R Kennelly & A Neill vs 4/3 R Galley & E Smith
6. B Conway & J Flavin 4/3 vs S Cowdy & J Seal
DUGS 4.5 : 1.5 Hittites
Overall: DUGS 13.5 : 4.5 Hittites
Match Report
2026 marked a special year for the Hittites with it being their centenary. The DUGS were delighted to host a touring party of 12 to the majestic Portmarnock links. Following an impressive away win in 2024 match manager Fran Quilty once again picked a strong squad with plenty of youth to take on the formidable Hittites. Included in the selection was a debut for Mikey Mina Ronayne, the shining star of the 2025 Colours win.
The Hittites were once again facing a late pull out like 2022 but thankfully managed to find a last-minute substitute in A Uttley, who was made an honorary Hittite for making such a valiant effort to get to Dublin. The Hittites went for dinner in House in Howth the night before and unusually for Elliot Smith all went to bed at a reasonable hour such was the focus on Thursday’s match.
Thursday morning was a lovely sunny morning, and all gathered in Portmarnock for breakfast baps and coffee, thanks to new F&B manager Amanda. This is a new service for Portmarnock and is welcomed by all. As the teams were announced there was no surprise to hear that the 2026 Portmarnock Captain David Conway was paired with one of his adopted sons Jerome Counihan. All pairings made their way to the Championship course for 8.30am and the match began. The first morning session went the way of the DUGS but only just 4-2. Philip Hemsted got the better of David Conway and Jerome whilst Nicky Dillon and Mikey Ronayne faced some excellent golf to lose on 18. The match manager won his game with DUGS President John Conway.
A delicious lunch was had in the Pickeman room, a hearty Guinness stew followed by a cheese course. With Guinness, wine and kummel also flowing the players made their way to the yellow nine for 1.30pm full of good spirit. In the afternoon pairings PGC Captain Conway was now paired with his other adopted son, match manager Quilty. Yet again he was facing his arch nemesis Philip Hemsted and yet again the Hittites fitness fanatic came out on top, holing some egregious putts along the way. The afternoon round was played in colder conditions with some rain gracing the links with its appearance. Apart from the Conway Quilty loss the strong DUGS team produced wins across the board playing some scintillating golf.
After golf the camaraderie was once again prevalent amongst all players as Guinness was enjoyed pre dinner. The jacket and tie dinner, held in the Pickeman room, was Salmon and Prawn Tian followed by Lamb Shank and for dessert apple crumble. Speeches were provided by DUGS President John Conway, PGC Captain David Conway and Hittites Captain Rob McBurney. Rob’s twin is the current Captain of Royal Liverpool and three years earlier Rob captained Royal Liverpool whilst his brother Neil captained the Hittites! Fun was had by all and David Conway received a lot of attention from the speeches following his nought from two record. Particular praise was given to the Portmarnock greens by all players, with Hittites members of Hoylake and Birkdale admiring the quality.
Friday morning started with a mild but overcast feel but as the morning progressed the sun came out and shone brightly. DUGS President John Conway was replaced by DUGS Captain and the one task given to match managers Quilty and Jeffrey was not to pair Conway vs Hemsted! The PGC Captain was partnered by a new younger better model in Cian McCormack and together they delivered the important point for Conway’s pride. Some excellent golf by Alan Hopkins and Barry Conway dragged their playing partners over the line and the session ended up 4.5 to 1.5 in favour of the DUGS.
DUGS were overall winners in a convincing 13.5 to 4.5 margin and match manager Quilty kept his 100% record, not that he is keeping score! A fine lunch of fried goats cheese starter and braised beef set up an entertaining couple of hours in the Pickeman room. DUGS Captain John Flavin delivered a short speech to make up for his absence the previous day. After lunch the DUGS players hit the road leaving the Hittites to finish the wine and kill some time before their flight.
Fran Quilty
Match Manager