Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills Golf Club) with the trophy after winning the West of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship at Castle Dargan, Sligo. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher.

Offaly's Ella is best in the West

Kieran Galvin

Published: Mon 1 Jun 2026, 4:40 PM

Talented Offaly golfer Ella Cantwell claimed victory in the West of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship at Castle Dargan in Sligo today (Monday).

In what was the inaugural staging of the event for women, the victory represents the biggest win of the Rahan teenager’s career to date.

A student at Killina Presentation Secondary School, Ella is a member of Esker Hills Golf Club, the club where professional ace Shane Lowry began his journey to stardom.

Ella went into the final round as the overnight leader and she held her nerve in impressive fashion to claim the title ahead of Hannah Lee McNamara (Royal Portrush), with Aideen Walsh of Lahinch in third.

Cantwell has shown considerable promise at underage level, winning numerous titles and representing Ireland, and this victory is another major milestone in her career.

She finished on -18 in Castle Dargan after carding rounds of 65, 72 and 67 to emerge as a decisive winner - seven shots clear of second-placed McNamara.

Ella is planning to take up a sports scholarship in the United States of America after she sits her Leaving Certificate in Killina Presentation SS.

*Click here to see Ella seal her victory with her winning putt.