John Doyle (Fota Island), Stuart Grehan (Co Louth), Thomas Higgins (Roscommon), Matthew McClean (Malone), Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk), and Gavin Tiernan (Co Louth) form a strong six-man lineup led by Coyne, manager Mark O’Sullivan and coach Michael Collins.
Coyne, who stepped into the captaincy role last year, is relishing the opportunity, and with the European field stacked with quality, Ireland’s strategy is clear.
“The game plan is just to go and get after it,” said Coyne.
“We have to be positive and aggressive. The course lends itself to some positive play. There are plenty of opportunities out there.”
The team includes players in outstanding form. Doyle earned his call-up with wins at the Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Championship, Munster Men’s Amateur Open Championship along with a runner-up finish at the St Andrews Links trophy.
Others are coming in off the back of significant performances too with Higgins also impressing at St Andrews, while Tiernan’s run to the final of the Amateur Championship solidified his place on the team. With seasoned players like Grehan, McClean, and Rafferty, rounding out the group, Coyne feels they have a nicely balanced squad.
“It’s a very good bunch, nice mix of youth and experience and a lot of people in good form,” said Coyne.
“To win the Europeans anywhere would be incredibly special. But to do it at home in Ireland would be even more special again. That’s what we’re aiming to do.”
