GOLF: Cillian Hirst, with his dad Joe, ahead of competing at the US Kids World Championships in North Carolina

Nine-year-old Cillian Hirst from Maree, and representing Athenry Golf Club, will head to Pinehurst, North Carolina next week (Thursday, 30th July - Saturday, 1st August) to take part in the US Kids World Championship. Playing for just over two years, the young golfer has made an impression with Irish and European glories to his name.  And his ascent up golf's junior rankings sees him earn his qualification for the World stage for the second time.  And he has already earned a slot again at the 2027 event. Cillian and his dad Joe joined Galway Bay FM's Darren Kelly for a chat ahead of the World Championships. == This week (21st-23rd July 2026), Cillian Hirst and Cregmore Park's Oisin Glynn are competing in the Champion of Champions Junior invitational in Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. Click HERE for latest scores and leaderboards.