Cork Golf: Julia Falvey Ryan wins European title

Julia Falvey Ryan produced a fantastic performance to claim the Women's European Individual Championship for Golfers with Disability title in Malmö, Sweden last week. 

The Fota Island golfer shot a final round 73 (+2) to end the tournament in a tie for 5th overall in the Standing Category, and in doing so finished as the highest-placed female in the field, taking home the Women's prize.

Coming back from a recent injury, she was delighted with the victory. 

“It felt amazing to win the European women's title this year, it was my first European individual championships for golfers with disabilities, so it was a nice way to end the week! It was very unexpected out of myself. 

"My coach Ian Stafford and I had the expectation of shooting a lot higher than what I did shoot.”

“I personally was going there to enjoy the tournament, being with the Irish team and to get through a tournament so that I would be happy in myself to play a tournament because the season was thrown up in the air a bit. 

AIM HIGH

"We were aiming to shoot a bit higher than what I was actually able to produce and that was a personal win that I was absolutely delighted about.”

Julia was selected for the Irish Under 16 Girls team in the Spring, but picked up a serious injury that sidelined her for much of the season. 

“I didn't get to play much golf this summer after I fractured my leg in my Irish debut for the U16 girls team in April against Wales and Scotland in the triangular matches. 

In the time out which was three months I spent a lot of time working on the mental side of the game which I definitely felt paid off in Sweden.”

Julia spent three months on the sidelines following her injury but was patient during the recovery process.

“I didn't get back playing golf until August and when I came back I knew I had to be patient because, it's an endurance game and when you are out for a while with an injury the leg had gotten so weak that, that was the hard part.

“I had practiced a bit coming up to Sweden but at the same time I was watching how my body was feeling because I didn't want to be already tired going into a long week. 

"I had been producing a lot of good signals in practice coming up to Sweden which did give me the confidence going into, I felt the swing was in a good place and all of that is good to have going into a competition.

“This year was a tough year golf wise in a way I couldn't play, it was hard for a person that only wants to golf all the time.

FOCUSED

"Some days were harder than others. Something I think about if I'm not playing great, I know in the moment that I could be sitting with a cast on my leg and not being able to play so be happy and enjoy playing because you don't know what's around the corner. 

"There were a lot of positives though! The team in Golf Ireland couldn't have been better in supporting me.

"They truly shocked me with the amount of support I just completely did not expect it at all.”

Falvey-Ryan has been playing golf in Fota for several years and has represented the club in several teams as was as representing her country. Three years ago she was invited to play in the Pro A at the KPG Irish Women's Open in Dromoland.

The Fota Island teenager may be nearing the end of her season but she has reset her goals for the year ahead following a mixed 2025. 

“My goal for next year is to fulfil the goals I had at the start of this year before I broke my leg. 

"That was to compete for titles at girls' competitions both here in Ireland also overseas. To get into Irish teams and help win international matches plus at the same time go up the world rankings and win international events in disabled golf.”