Northern Ireland

From golf course to GAA pitch, teenager dubbed 'Rossa's Rory McIlroy' after sporting success

Charlie Cooley shot a course record at Belvoir Park Golf Club. Picture by Belvoir Park Golf Course/ Twitter
Charlie Cooley shot a course record at Belvoir Park Golf Club. Picture by Belvoir Park Golf Course/ Twitter Charlie Cooley shot a course record at Belvoir Park Golf Club. Picture by Belvoir Park Golf Course/ Twitter

FROM the golf course to the GAA pitch, teenager Charlie Cooley has been dubbed 'Rossa's Rory McIlroy' after an eventful sporting weekend.

The 18-year-old from Belfast shot a course record at Belvoir Park Golf Club before helping his GAA club, O’Donovan Rossa win a league game.

Speaking after the success, the Lagan College pupil said "it was a big surprise".

The budding sports star, who has been playing golf at Belvoir since 2016, broke the record set by golfer, Gareth Lappin who last year scored 63.

The following day on the GAA pitch he helped his team mates at O’Donovan Rossa to defeat St John's by a point in the Antrim Senior Football League.

In a post on Twitter, Antrim GAA praised the teen, dubbing him "Rossa's Rory McIlroy".

"18-year-old Charlie Cooley shot a course record 62 at Belvoir Park Golf Club on Saturday and then helped Rossa beat St John's on Sunday."

Speaking to Jerome Quinn Media, Charlie said: "That was my best round by a long way.

"It's a joint record with a professional who shot it a couple of years ago in the Belvoir Pro-Am.

"Everyone was probably shocked more than anything. My best score was eight shots worse.

"It was a big surprise for a lot of people but they were just happy and congratulating me."