On the tee Sean Keeling

Imagine the pulse-quickening pressure of standing on the first tee at the Junior Ryder Cup, with dreams and hard work culminating in a single tee shot. That's the world young golf prodigy Sean Keeling inhabits, and on our latest episode, he opens up about the path that led him there. Hear firsthand how Sean's encounter with golfing great Luke Donald shaped his approach to the crowd's energy and match play strategy. His tale is not just about gripping drives and precision putts; it's a masterclass in psychological resilience, as he shares the electrifying comeback from a daunting six-hole lag, turning what seemed an inevitable loss into a hard-fought victory.

Golf isn't just a sport for Sean Keeling; it's a chronicle of growth, from playful rounds with grandparents to the conscious decision to forgo other sports in favor of the links. Sean's narrative is a tribute to mentors like coach Jeff and mental game expert Sean McGonagall, who have been pivotal in his journey to achieving a scratch handicap by 13 and clinching youth titles like the Connick Boys. His story is a testament to the influence of a nurturing environment, where competing against elite peers in the academy has refined his skills and forged a champion's mettle. Listeners will garner insights into the making of a golfing sensation, with pivotal moments and decisions that are as much about character formation as they are about athletic prowess.

As Sean sets his gaze on the horizon, 2024 emerges with a troika of ambitions: clinching a men's championship title, securing a place on the St Andrews trophy team, and demonstrating unflagging consistency. Our conversation with Sean culminates in an exploration of his strategic focus on mental fortitude, honing his short game, and mastering the greens. He also speaks to the heartfelt gratitude for the support system that has been integral to his journey, from Irish golf foundations to the familial bonds that drive his competitive spirit. Join us for an intimate portrait of a young golfer with his sights on the future, his feet firmly planted on the fairway, and a world of potential just a swing away.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:06

Okay, welcome back to the Irish and podcast. This week I'm joined by Sean Keelan. Sean, welcome to the pod. Cheers, gary, thank you. Thanks for having me. Not at all, my man. I'm looking forward to the chat. So Sean left Hark Junior Ryder Cup. It's a pinnacle of any boys golf career and you were lucky enough and kind of well earned. I suppose it's probably to get there late last year or so. Let's talk about that experience. How did you find we said the initial couple of days been over there?

Speaker 2: 0:30

Yeah, me and Jeff kind of sat down at the start of the year and kind of saw that as a goal and then kind of tried to play in all the events to qualify off the order merit, which I ended up doing. And then, yeah, we got there on the Saturday and then we played. Our first practice round was in Marcos Imone Lovely. So yeah, that was kind of nice way to start the week, getting kind of used to all the stands and everything there. So, yeah, that was probably like a dream of playing the Ryder Cup. But the Junior Ryder Cup is probably as close as you get to that without actually doing the real thing.

Speaker 1: 1:05

Yeah, and I suppose like we get it in a second, but I suppose like the Ryder Cup is on the day after, so like you kind of get to experience that out of that. But something you just mentioned there is about like planning out your year to get there. So you wanted to qualify through the order merit, which you did, so like you kind of led it a bit early, and I suppose how much of that are you watching throughout the year then?

Speaker 2: 1:25

Obviously you know where you stand, but I think that the main focus should be on just trying to play good golf, and then I think that comes with. All team things is, I think your main focus should be just playing good golf, and then everything comes with that really yeah, no 100%.

Speaker 1: 1:41

So, like, as you said, your first practice round was in Marcos, imone, and you get to meet Luke Daniel. So what was that kind of experience like and what did you take away from the couple of hours you've had to chat with him, or the hour or so.

Speaker 2: 1:51

Yeah, I mean, we didn't know that was going to happen, so it was kind of a nice surprise. You walked us up on the bridge through to the first tee, so that was very nice way to start the week. And he kind of just told us like embrace the pressure of the crowd and feed off the energy rather than kind of fearing it. That was one thing that I took from that. And then also he was just talking about the importance of getting off to a good start and match play, like kind of making sure you're up for it at the start of the game. And yeah, that was kind of it really.

Speaker 1: 2:21

And I suppose then by the time you get going let's talk master. So for the minute. So you, I'm guessing you probably know to some degree that you're going to be paired with Connor, just because you probably know him regular your first match with Connor, and let's talk to that one a little bit. So the front nine probably not going to plan, and then I'd imagine the back name is a bit more exciting for you.

Speaker 2: 2:38

Yeah, that was definitely one of the most fun phone rounds of golf I've had. But yeah, six down through nine is not where you want to be. But I just I remember walking down the 10th fairway with Connor and obviously we're not happy with where we are. But we kind of just said to each other right, let's just try and try and win one hole at least. And then we kind of we won the 10th and we've been from 12 to 17. I think we had, we had five or six birdies. So we just kind of kind of went mental making birdies. And yeah, I think that's the thing with match play is like the momentum is so big.

Speaker 1: 3:12

So once you kind of get a little bit of that going, you feel invincible, almost so yeah, and like something you mentioned there was kind of was getting going and getting the feeling but like young enough. So like I suppose, when you make turn six down, like how do you yourself and Connor like what's the conversation? Like, how do you kind of just say, let's keep going now?

Speaker 2: 3:28

I mean, I don't know, but I think it's probably something we both have in us is that kind of passion and drive, like to never give up? Yeah, and I think that's just all you're trying to do is just do the best you can for your team and even if that, even if you end up losing two and one, at least you, at least you get a good run. So it's just kind of starting off trying to win one hole and get get some sort of momentum going. So you certainly did that.

Speaker 1: 3:51

A lot of people would ask me about you. I suppose, like your kind of stock been rising as much as it has. I get a lot of questions about you and something I'd always say is he's extremely calm on the golf course. That's not to be said for that back. So the emotion is probably just because it's match play, but like, talk me through that a little bit. Like so, going from someone that I would see has been so calm to like, I suppose, fist pumping away down the fairway.

Speaker 2: 4:13

Yeah, yeah, I mean, I think it's just something that team golf brings out me and match play. It's just different. You're playing for more than yourself and you're. It's just a different feeling really when you're, when you're playing for other people, and I think that's something I really I really enjoy is match play and team golf. So I think that definitely brings out a difference out of me.

Speaker 1: 4:32

Yeah, no 100%. And I suppose, like even talking about, like yourself and Connor were sent out early enough, I suppose, and like the two top European boys at the time, like turning your match around the way you did, like like I suppose that must be giving you great conference, but also the team, yeah 100% and it looks up and sees that it obviously gives them huge energy.

Speaker 2: 4:50

And then obviously the opposite for the American team. They're looking at that like, oh shit, we had, that was a game that we should have had, and now they've gotten a half out of it.

Speaker 1: 4:59

So definitely kind of kind of set the tone for the for the day and probably almost a week, just kind of shown that we're not here to give up, we're here to put up a fight and yeah, I suppose you come away from the day you have that match and I believe it's kind of it's pretty much all square after the day, one for memory, yeah, and then you get to tee it up in Marcos Simone in the junior right of cup, because obviously crowds there to watch you and there's also crowds there to watch the practice day of the right of cup. So what was that day like for you?

Speaker 2: 5:27

Yeah, it was. Actually we played another day in golf national as well, so it was played there. We played 36 hours the first day and then the second day it was mixed four balls, which is obviously, obviously, probably something you're not used to is playing with a girl and playing playing different, playing a different ball, and so, yeah, it's kind of strange, but probably something that that I enjoyed, because it's not something you get to do very often. So we ended up winning all six games that day and then took a six point lead into the into the last day, which was, which was huge. So that was probably the most important out of the three days. It just kind of put us in the position to go and win.

Speaker 1: 6:06

Yeah, and I probably shouldn't know on that, so we might have to get it part out. No, we won't. I got it slightly wrong. It wouldn't be like me. But let's talk, marcus. Simone, dennis, wasn't that crowding kind of voice was just a little bit of expectation and kind of how you dealt with it.

Speaker 2: 6:20

Yeah, I think Stephen Gallagher was great at that. He kind of told us at the start of the week, like you're going to be nervous, like you're going to have thoughts in your head that you might not want.

Speaker 2: 6:30

But I think just embracing that and kind of trying to try to walk towards the pressure rather than walking away, I think that's something all the all the great players do is they embrace the moment and kind of thrive on that pressure, which, with pressure and love, kind of having that feeling of like almost that it's like if it doesn't come off, then kind of screwed. So I kind of enjoy that jeopardy almost.

Speaker 1: 6:52

So you're coming down to the closing stretch and I suppose the right and staff to come on the wall that it's going to go your way. So, like, how do you, how do you stay present in your own matches, was at that point and like what's kind of the emotion that you're going through knowing that that job is almost done?

Speaker 2: 7:05

Yeah, I mean, you're always, you're always want to win your own match. But I think it was on the on the 12th. I kind of looked up and saw that we'd gotten to win a number. So then obviously it's kind of a strange feeling then playing the last few hours. There's not as much kind of pressure as is almost just kind of enjoying enjoy the moment and trying to try to make it last as long as possible.

Speaker 1: 7:25

So yeah, I suppose the celebrations after must have been very nice and just to kind of see, I suppose an accumulation of a lot of hard work has gone into that moment. So like talk to me a little bit about walking off the course and kind of it's all done.

Speaker 2: 7:36

Yeah, I mean you put you put so much work like throughout the year to get to there and then when you're there, there's just so much, so much emotion building up throughout the week. And then when when it actually ends and you win. It's kind of like kind of relief and joy and all of these, all of these feelings. But yeah, it's kind of I don't think I can explain it, but you just it just feels, feels amazing.

Speaker 1: 7:57

Yeah, it's a very special week, but there's a lot of work on in between you taking up golf and you getting there, so let's go back to the start a little bit. So like, when did you take up the game initially?

Speaker 2: 8:05

Probably when I was maybe six or seven and kind of took me a while to get into it. I was more of a more of a footballer then, but I played a bit in Colleen Castle with my grandparents. They might have brought me out maybe once every once, every month and I'd play nine holes. But it probably took me maybe a year or two until I actually was like right, I want to take this pretty seriously now. And then joined up in Roganstown and joined up with Jeff and then just fell in love with it from there.

Speaker 1: 8:35

Yeah, so I suppose, like going back to start with you Sean isn't that long ago, you're still a young lad in fairness job, but at what point do you start taking it, I suppose, extremely serious because, like, you've been kind of like, not been kind of you've been around championships now for a number of years, at the tender age of 17, we'd say so like at what point in your real age? Or this is something you really want to do?

Speaker 2: 8:54

I mean, when you're kind of like young, like eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, you kind of just want to, you want to enjoy it like and just just have fun. Yeah, but then, probably when I was maybe 13, like, I kind of gave up like soccer, gave up rugby and Gaelic, and then I was kind of like right, this is what I'm doing now and putting everything into that.

Speaker 1: 9:11

So it's probably when I was about 13, yeah, For all of the mere Martins like myself, let's say, let's make us all sad. How old are you when you first broke pair 12. 12 yeah, that sounds very nice, sean. In fairness. And age when you got to scratch 13. I'm a small bit older than that. I'm still trying to accomplish board feats. In fairness. I did take up golf a bit later, but massively impressive stuff in fairness. Yeah, sean, what goes into your initial kind of golfing life would say so, like lessons and stuff, yeah.

Speaker 2: 9:42

So obviously I've got Jeff, who I've been working with since I started playing golf, and then through Jeff there's Michael Bannon as well, who I see now and then, which is which is great to have. But yeah, just with Jeff I think it's great. He kind of covers all aspects of the game. Like he brings in experts, kind of like nutritionists. He's got a psychologist and Sean McGonagall, who's been amazing with me kind of over the last kind of five, six years and still working away with him and a lot to improve on in that area. And then he's got a great relationship with Shrixon and so kind of some of the top guys in the academy would get great support from Shrixon. And then now we've got a fitness guy in Roganstown, dion Woods, who I've been, who've been working at now probably for about a year, and so, yeah, I think it's very good. He's kind of got all these people that are kind of trying to drive you towards success.

Speaker 1: 10:41

So, yeah, yeah, and I think, look, we'll touch on all them a little bit individually because I think they're obviously very important to what you've done, but I think even for like people listening it'll be an interesting story. But so we'll say, when you're kind of 13, 14, you start shooting kind of really good numbers and stuff. So like, how do you start mapping out the year then for like championships and like progression targets?

Speaker 2: 11:02

I think for me at that age is probably Jeff always had the mentality of throwing me in the deep end, like playing against the best players you can, and I think that's the way you learn the most is like, obviously, when I'm 13-14 it's tough going playing the West of Ireland trying to win. But you'll learn a lot playing against better players and I think that'll stand for you then in a few years when you can go and win them tournaments. You're ready.

Speaker 1: 11:30

Yeah, I think it's something that is valuable to players if they are particularly low enough a handicap range to test the waters anyway and kind of take away what you can from it. So something you mentioned like playing with better players and all that stuff, so like part of the academy setup that you would have, as you said, like there's a number of players there. So like talk to me a little bit about being able to compete with the like see you four when you were younger, or Aaron, and there's a lot more that I want to name but like what does that do for your own game?

Speaker 2: 11:56

Yeah, obviously I was kind of always the youngest like in the academy. So being in amongst like Hugh and Aaron, and there's been lads like Keith Vanderveal and Matt Wilson being amongst all these lads you just you just pick up so much and I think that's probably one of the one of the best ways to improve if you're a young golfer is trying to find players that are better than you in your club and play with them as much as you can, because you just pick up so much from them in the way they kind of carry themselves and the way they play, the decisions they make on the course. So, yeah, I think that's been been massive for me over the last few years.

Speaker 1: 12:32

And then I suppose, as you start progressing in championships yourself, sean, and kind of I suppose you're star or starts raising I suppose is the right or wrong way of saying it but like you're getting a bit more notoriety and people kind of are looking at you in with potential, so like let's talk about getting your first win then. So like, what was your first win, we'd say at boys level.

Speaker 2: 12:50

In under 18 level. I won the Connick boys. I think I was 15, so that's maybe two years ago now. So yeah, obviously you want to play in men's championships and play against the best players, but I think it's also important to win, like. I think that gives you confidence and it gives you, gives you the belief and also just learning how to win, like down the stretch, like it doesn't matter who you're playing with or what you're playing in. It's winning is always hard. So I think just trying to make that a habit and learning how to do it more.

Speaker 1: 13:22

Yeah, I know definitely like you have to be able. I suppose that's a massive key component, particularly in golf, because it's such a sport that you're only going to win a small percentage of time. So like learning to do it as early as you can is going to be something that I'm guessing you've worked on with Sean and Jeff over the last number of years.

Speaker 2: 13:40

Yeah, 100% yeah. You want to learn how to close out tournaments. I mean, that's essentially what you're trying to do, so yeah.

Speaker 1: 13:48

So then, in terms of like being a teenage boy and working with a coach, I suppose, keep your psychologists and keep yourself mentally in check. So, like, what's an average kind of session or kind of program like that for you?

Speaker 2: 14:04

Well, for example, last week we had a training camp where Sean came down and he kind of works with the better players one to one kind of.

Speaker 2: 14:13

You'd sit down with Sean and have a chat with him about maybe what you're struggling with and what you want to get better, and he'll kind of set out a plan for you and how to improve that.

Speaker 2: 14:24

And then you've got Jeff who's working hard on keeping your swing where you need and kind of drilling in the discipline and doing all the right things, and then we'd work on the swing short game and then we'd try to get out on the golf course and play as well. I think that's important. Trying to balance out practice and play is important, because you can certainly spend too much time just on the driving range beating balls for hours, which I think gets to a point where it's kind of useless like you need to get out on the golf course and learn how to score. That's probably something I'm working on at the minute is just trying to get your bad runs down, rather than your bad runs, say, being five over. Trying to get that down to level par one over, and I think that just comes with learning how to score and just learning how to win ugly and get the job done, no matter how that is.

Speaker 1: 15:21

Yeah, 100%. I think it's something that a lot of people can learn from. I suppose it's just about getting it over the line really like. Isn't it so like in the last couple of years, sean? Like you're talking about learning to win, and it's something that you started to do at a fairly good rate and fairness to, particularly in golf terms. So something I wanted to touch on you a little bit was you won last year on the European Pro-Golf Tour playing against pros. So I suppose it's no secret you have aspirations of getting there one day. So what do you take away from that event?

Speaker 2: 15:53

Just you take away that you're good enough to compete against these, these pros on some of them obviously challenge tour level and like you kind of look at them and you're like there's, there's not that much of a difference like in the way they play. But I think what the difference between, kind of, say, me and challenge to our player is probably what I was talking about there is just just scoring, yeah, and kind of kind of getting the best out of what you have on each and every given day, whether that be one over or five under, but I think that's just.

Speaker 2: 16:26

That's probably the biggest step now I have to take.

Speaker 1: 16:30

And so you like the scoring. Things like what are you working on, what are you looking at him in particular to help you with your scoring?

Speaker 2: 16:36

and for me, just a lot of its course management. So no one that times where you, where you, where you can attack the golf course, and then there's some holes where you, where you have to maybe hold back and just play for par. I mean, that's, that's the main thing now. But there's also Like missing on the right side, like not going for soccer pins and Just kind of trying to play the shot that you know you can hit. Like sometimes you think you can hit the shots and all these these hero shots you might see on TV, but just kind of trying to keep the game is boring as possible almost.

Speaker 1: 17:11

Yeah, I know, I think, something that people do struggle with. I suppose, like it's almost like the cliches are there for a reason, like the one child at a time, or just kind of pick your targets and aim, aim to the places you should be aiming for and all that kind of stuff. So yeah and again I suppose like For you is, is that just the case of like as many reps as possible in that environment to get comfortable there and kind of trust that it's going to work?

Speaker 2: 17:32

yeah, I mean you have to practice it as well, like you can't just like play a certain way when you're, when you're out playing nine holes in Rogan, stand and expect to be different when you play in the tournament. So you have to, you have to practice the way you're going to play. Yeah, it is about getting the reps in and kind of just having the discipline to actually do it. I think that's a massive thing. Like you're kind of fine with yourself the end of the day, you know what the right thing to do is, but it's just having the discipline to do that.

Speaker 1: 17:56

So you mentioned practicing in row with someone and kind of practicing for what you want to do, so you're not long off the course. So what were you working on today?

Speaker 2: 18:02

actually went out and nine holes today, so play away and score, working on some stuff that Sean Sean and I've been talking about, like trigger and often between the shots and and being being fully there on each shot and just kind of taking each shot as it comes, not thinking ahead, not thinking behind, so you're just trying to try to drill that in as much as you can Was it a match today, or were you just out in the run now? I was up on myself today, just me and my golf clubs.

Speaker 1: 18:26

Sometimes it's the best place in the world really isn't it yeah, it is, yeah, definitely so another one you're willing to on them up in Bali lifting last year, as it was a couple reasons I want to touch in it and kind of something again, you were talking about learning to win, coming down the stretch, like being in front for a bit, like and then having to compete for championships like what do you take away from Bali lifting last year?

Speaker 2: 18:44

You don't need to be perfect to win. And because the second, the second day, I did did make a few mental errors and kind of didn't didn't play great kind in the middle part of the round, but I just kind of kept the head down and kept doing what I was doing and not not letting that affect me. And then, obviously, the last two holes I made a good up and down on 17 and then 18 made birdie for the wind. So I think it's just a good example of getting the best out of what I had on that day and so yeah, and I suppose it's a course.

Speaker 1: 19:11

You've played a couple of times and you've got a honorary membership up there now as well. I remember seeing that at the back end the last year, so you must be looking forward to the amateur championship up there.

Speaker 2: 19:20

Yeah, big time, yeah, and that's that's going to be a special week, no matter how it goes. But yeah, I'd love to love to get that, get a good run at that now.

Speaker 1: 19:28

So yeah, so and again that's a bit of a way. So let's talk this year a little bit, so like you were talking a little bit about prep and kind of setting up and like what you're playing and doing this year, so like it's early in the year, so like what's your main focuses for 2024.

Speaker 2: 19:42

Do you mean like my goals or?

Speaker 1: 19:44

goals, yeah, just like kind of like what you're working on note, as opposed to the goals.

Speaker 2: 19:48

Yeah, I think the next step for me is winning at men's level and competing more often, and I think the main focus for me this year knows probably just trying to Trying to have a more consistent year than last year. Last year, I feel like up until June I was, I was playing very well and kind of happy with how things were going, and then dropped off a little bit in the summer and Wasn't wasn't playing as well as it was, and Probably a lot of that was to do with with course management and the way I was thinking. But yeah, I think this year I just just looking to have a more, more steady and consistent year and try throwing a winner too as well.

Speaker 1: 20:26

You know and I suppose news kind of came up here I think it's last week now or the week before that you've committed to Texas tech. So it was a slight change in initial plans. And again, your still young and also like it's good to see plans change, your plans adapt out when you feel it's the right thing to do. But how the Texas could come up here.

Speaker 2: 20:41

Yeah, and I suppose maybe Originally I was maybe thinking after school I'll just turn probe. But to be honest, I just feel like I want to be, I want to be ready to compete and actually and actually play Uh against, against the top players in the world when I do turn pro. So I feel like maybe it's just a better way to go go about it for me, rather than turning pro and trying to find your feet For a couple years just going out there and being ready. So I think that's that's just the best way of doing that Myself.

Speaker 1: 21:10

So yeah, no, and I suppose, look, there's a lot of rewards, the college golf and I suppose pga Pga tour, you was one of them, so I'm guessing that's kind of a big part of the the puzzle in going to college golf, like yeah, 100%.

Speaker 2: 21:22

Yeah, like it's, it's clear pathway to get to the pga tour, like there's not much else you can ask for, so that's, that's obviously huge too.

Speaker 1: 21:30

Yeah, and again, like the college that you have chosen, I suppose, like there's lads there that you know currently and they've produced a couple of very strong players over the last number here. So like it looks like it's going to be a good fit, so like you must be excited for that one.

Speaker 2: 21:41

Yeah, I can't wait. Yeah, I mean they've, they've obviously just had that. Ludwig Aberg he's, he's just graduated and unbelievable now like made the rider cup and winning on tour like you don't. It's not very often you see that. So there's, they're obviously doing something right there, and then obviously having Callum and Connor will be there next year too. So that's, that's gonna be, it's gonna be a good team and it's nice having brandy know there. So, yeah, looking forward to that big time.

Speaker 1: 22:06

So did Ludwig sign you over America. Simone, like not?

Speaker 2: 22:09

quite, but em the coach Sans? Actually he was in Marco Simone so I met. I met him in Marco Simone and just had a, had a good feeling about it.

Speaker 1: 22:18

So yeah, and then let's go back to for one second, because I thought to ask you Well, did you get to me many of the rider cup team over there?

Speaker 2: 22:25

Yeah, we, we met pretty much pretty much all of them On the Thursday. We were we're allowed kind of everywhere, like in the clubhouse, so they were kind of coming up to us, congratulating us and then talking to us about how the week was, and so that was. That was kind of Surreal. But then on the Sunday evening, when they actually won the ride, a cup, most most of our team had gone home, but there's me, lev and Giovanni left, and after they won we were like we may as well try and try and sneak into the clubhouse here with our, with our badges from Thursday.

Speaker 2: 22:57

So we kind of winged it and went into the clubhouse and waited maybe for 30 minutes until they came in and we, we kind of got to be a bit of a part of the celebrations then with the in the clubhouse, like spread, there's spring champagne and all of this, this stuff. But yeah, that was kind of something that'll stick with me forever.

Speaker 1: 23:14

Yeah, I'm a percent and I suppose, like, as we said, like the junior, junior rider cup being what it was, but like I suppose that just kind of adds fuel to the fire, then I suppose feel like they're kind of for your development, so much possible like that's not 100%.

Speaker 2: 23:26

Yeah, just seeing seeing how, how good that week was for them, I'm just the whole experience of it. It adds, adds fuel to the fire, for sure, and it's huge motivation, just it, just to get back there one day like it's. It's a highlight of any golfing career. Playing the right of cup, I think it's, it's, yeah, I'd love that.

Speaker 1: 23:44

Yeah, let's chat team guy for a second. It's like I suppose for you you have been part of teams and like even with the Rogue and Stone Academy and stuff, and you're like it's there's a team element to what you do. But how old were you when you weren't seeing your?

Speaker 2: 23:56

cup. I was 14 and so, yeah, that was that was unbelievable. To be fair, that was that was amazing doing that with with such a young team. I mean I think I was 14, patrick and Charlie might have been 16, and then poor equals 17, and then Hugh, hugh, we called him the dad of the team. He was, he was probably, he's maybe 23, 24, but yeah, that was that was very special. Doing it, doing with that group of lads who have kind of we've kind of Spent a lot of time with with each other over the last number of years, and then having success like that together, that was that was very special.

Speaker 1: 24:31

So broke para 12, scratch the 13 when I've seen a couple 14, I don't think anyone listening to this part is going to be jealous at all time. You know Well, patrick, let's chat Patrick for a second, because I suppose again, like in terms of like competitive environment, having a brother a couple years older knew that is very good at golf, also like that must have been a massive driving factor in you, I suppose, wanting to improve as well.

Speaker 2: 24:54

Yeah, 100%. Like there's always a brotherly kind of Competitiveness where you where you want to beat your older brother all the time, and I think that that drives us on massively to get to where we both are now. I feel like maybe now we've kind of matured a little bit. Now we're not as like kind of going out every week. Right, I just want to beat back Patrick this week, like that's maybe what it was like a couple years ago. But I think we're both rooting for each other and and just hoping we both can have success.

Speaker 1: 25:20

Yeah, 100%, and again I suppose a team one then. So you won boys home international last year. So like a very good group of golfers obviously, and it takes a good group of golfers to win the port. What do you remember that week, I suppose, the final day playing England, like how much of that.

Speaker 2: 25:34

Yeah, I remember, remember very well, I mean we were, we were very up for that match, that's for sure. So, yeah, we just kind of went out out there with the, with the motivation and hunger to Beat the English, which I feel like we I mean England kind of they'd maybe had the better team or on paper, but but we just went out there and then played our hearts out on the day and ended up winning. So that was, that was very enjoyable for sure.

Speaker 1: 25:59

Yeah, and this was on that one. Then, like, the the octagonal matches team was announced during the week and, like, there's four members of that team no playing men's golf this year are playing on the men's team this year. So, like, like, it must be kind of nice to go over with a team that you're already bonded with as well.

Speaker 2: 26:15

Yeah, 100%. It's great to see the lads Progressing and getting better and it's it's nice like you play with these, these lads at boys level and then we're kind of Getting to the stage where we're moving on to man's level and then so you get to know these guys pretty well and you spend a lot of time with them. So it's good to Experience these, these things together.

Speaker 1: 26:35

Yeah, and then like even for yourself, like you've a year of boys golf left, but you've been upgraded, I suppose are promoted to men's high performance panel rather than the boys this year. So that one Sean like was that it was in a case of if the opportunity came, you were always going to go with them in what it does.

Speaker 2: 26:49

And then, do you know, like all those new things really let me recommend add just about C见 C venant, and then I would really want to get the bans immediately. Yeah, I think so. Yeah, it's just a thing that's kind of the next stage to where I want to get to is is kind of being being one of them best, best man's armatures in the world. So, yeah, I think that's just just part of that.

Speaker 1: 27:06

It's just getting to that next level, yeah and I suppose with that then, sean, because like infos was externally anyway, like there can seem to be a lot of pressure on you, I suppose, in terms of like you get a lot of them know what already for all of the good stuff you've done. So like, how do you, how do you deal with our Latin kind of keep the expectations and check a little bit, while also being as confident as you are to get to where you want to like?

Speaker 2: 27:28

yeah, I mean, I think that's that's gonna always be there for any kind of young, young sportsman who's doing well. There's the. There's a lot of talk around you and a lot of expectations from other people, but I think you can just kind of focus on on what you're doing and kind of trying to get get better every day, and I think just keeping your feet on the ground is very important, not kind of just realizing how far you've still got to go, like it's great You've gone, I've gone to where I am now, like it's it's obviously great to be in this position, but there's there's still a long way to go and a lot of things to improve on.

Speaker 1: 27:59

So it's just having that kind of level-headed approach, I guess yeah, hundred percent, and I get something that I suppose it could potentially be difficult, but you do seem to handle it really well, in fairness. Just so, like with all of that going on then and like I suppose the improvements are coming. Like you still have to balance school and trying to compete and being abroad and doing all of the other stuff to do so, like what's it? What's the standard week for Sean? Like when you're in season and you still have a good work to do in the background?

Speaker 2: 28:25

Yeah, I mean, you're just kind of trying to keep up with the school as much as you can and Kind of, I think it's a lot, a lot about just managing your time Well, like finding the times to practice and then obviously, your time to do your homework and study and all of this. But yeah, it's just keeping keeping a good balance, I think, and I think it probably helps your golf, like taking Taking your mind off it a bit now and then, like just kind of focus on the schoolwork. But yeah, I think it's something that just has to be done, I guess yeah, and I suppose more.

Speaker 1: 28:54

16, 17, 18 year olds Don't fancy getting out of bed very early, so what time does your day start?

Speaker 2: 28:59

I'm normally around half six and Try to go, try to get in the gym as much, maybe three, four, five times a week now Maybe in the offseason. But I think it's just kind of starting your day early and and just being being productive with your day Is it's important?

Speaker 1: 29:16

Yeah, and I suppose it is that. Then I suppose, like if you can get it done a little bit Orally, it's it's having time to balance and kind of get everything else in. So you mentioned You're in you, you mentioned tricks and they're there a couple of minutes ago.

Speaker 2: 29:28

So what's the what's the favorite club in the bag? Good question. To be honest, I'd say it's the putter. Which which is instruction? They might not be too happy here, but yeah, no, I think the putters, putters, definitely the favorite, for sure.

Speaker 1: 29:43

Okay, so I'm from watching you over, I suppose the last number of years in particular, like something that I've that kind of strikes me as I For me out. Like your arm play obviously was very impressive and and again I suppose like the work that goes on in the background to get there. So like over the last two or three years in particular, sean, like like what's been the kind of key points there? I suppose it improving your swing, improving your golf and all that stuff.

Speaker 2: 30:05

I think Jeff just tries to make it as simple as possible. So it's just kind of getting all the basics in in place and then building just a good foundation in your golf swing. And yeah, I think, not trying to over complicated or or do too much with I think it's keeping it simple is very important and just keeping all the basics in check, that's. That's kind of the main thing.

Speaker 1: 30:31

Yeah, so as well, you've played on a number of teams on and you've played with a number of individuals. As part of the stuff that you do, you've a six foot putt to win a match. Who's who's taking it for you myself? Good answer, you can save a lot, of a lot of headache there. So, sean, looking at this year, so 2024 what three things would you like to have happened come December 31st?

Speaker 2: 30:57

I'd say I'd like to have won a men's championship, whether that be in Ireland or abroad, but just win. Win a men's tournament. And and then I'd like to make the St Andrews trophy team, which is the like GB and I playing against Europe, and then I think just having having a consistent year, like less kind of ups and downs like I think that obviously you're naturally gonna have good days and bad days but just kind of being being more steady throughout the year, would be nice and watch the three keys to work on then to, I suppose, help you as much as possible get there your mental game.

Speaker 2: 31:37

I think that's number one. And then inside, a hundred and fifty yards is Probably where the game is, so trying to put as much work in there as possible and then probably putting, putting is the most most important part of the game, so yeah, I think, if you can put in an item, we shall be chatting again at some point late near with a couple more trophies in your hand, and exactly that, sean.

Speaker 1: 32:04

Thank you very much for taking the time out and thanks for all of your help over the last number of years. It's been.

Speaker 2: 32:09

Thanks very much, gary, appreciate it and and thanks very much just for it, for everything you're doing for for us as players. I mean you're putting our names out there for for people to see and you just promote an Irish golf. So I think it's amazing and hopefully it just keeps getting bigger. So thanks very much, thanks.