On Saturday, July 25, Team USA and Team Ireland returned to Glen Farm for the 23rd edition of the Newport International Polo Series’ original and longest-running international rivalry. Held during Newport Polo’s 150th Diamond Jubilee season, in partnership with Aston Martin Boston and presented by Turkish Airlines, the match continued a tradition that has remained at the heart of the Series throughout its 35-year history.
The afternoon began with the Irish and United States national anthems as the flags of both nations flew side by side above the field. Bill Nelson, Senior Field Sales Manager, and Kari Nary, Vice President of Sales and General Manager for Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, conducted the ceremonial coin toss before the teams took their positions for the opening throw-in.
Representing Team USA were Roger Souto, Chris Fragomeni, Minnie Keating and Dan Keating. Team Ireland’s lineup featured James, Earl of Belfast, Harrison Boyd, longtime Newport favorite Siobhan Herbst and David Stone, who returned to Glen Farm for his sixth appearance.
Ireland wasted no time establishing an early advantage. Stone delivered three consecutive goals in the opening chukker, while Boyd added another to give the visitors a commanding 4–0 lead.
Boyd continued Ireland’s momentum in the second chukker, scoring twice more to extend the advantage to six. Souto answered with Team USA’s first goal of the afternoon, sending the match into the third period with Ireland leading 6–1.
Team USA began to find its rhythm in the third chukker. Fragomeni broke through for his first goal before Dan Keating followed with another, narrowing Ireland’s advantage to 6–3 as the teams approached halftime.
The scoring opened up again in the fourth. Dan Keating and Minnie Keating each found the goal for Team USA, but Ireland responded through Boyd and Stone, preserving the visitors’ three-goal advantage at 8–5.
At halftime, guests stepped onto the field for the traditional divot stomp and enjoyed the afternoon’s Celtic Cottagecore theme. Wildflowers, lace, linen and countryside-inspired picnic displays lined the field as judges selected the Stella Artois Best in Show winner.
Across the West Lawn, Newport Chowder Company, Brie & Honey, La Costa Lobster & Tacos, Cluck Truck, Sweet B’s Donuts, Jai Coffee and Ben & Jerry’s served a selection of match-day favorites. Newport Fine Linen, Simply Chickie, OutEast Eyewear and The Hat Social joined the Newport Polo Pro Shop, while guests sampled cocktails from Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers and Loyal 9 near the Pony Express Bars.
Back on the field, Team USA mounted a determined comeback in the fifth chukker. Dan Keating scored his third goal of the match before Souto added his second, reducing what had once been a five-goal deficit to just one. With Ireland leading 8–7, the stage was set for a decisive final period.
Dan Keating leveled the match early in the sixth chukker before David Stone answered for Ireland. Siobhan Herbst then added another for the visitors, restoring Ireland’s two-goal advantage. Keating struck once more for Team USA, but Ireland held firm through the closing moments to secure a dramatic 10–9 victory.
Stone led Team Ireland with five goals, while Boyd contributed four and Herbst added one. Dan Keating paced Team USA with five goals, followed by two from Souto and one each from Fragomeni and Minnie Keating.
Beyond the action on the field, Dillon’s Patio Bar served the Irish Peach as the Drink of the Match alongside Stella Artois on draft, boutique wines and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Aston Martin Boston added to the afternoon’s presentation with vehicles displayed courtesy of Cadillac of Norwood, while TD Bank welcomed guests behind the scenes for its weekly tour of the Newport Polo grounds.
This week’s Veuve Clicquot Door Prize winner received a special gift and earned a place in the season-long Turkish Airlines Grand Prize Drawing for round-trip business-class airfare for two to any destination served by the airline.
Following the final chukker, players and guests gathered at centerfield for the Liberty Bowl trophy presentation, hosted by Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Nicole Rugg, Marketing Manager, and Sammie Cochis, Catering Sales Manager, represented Newport Harbor Island Resort during the presentation before the teams came together for a celebratory Champagne toast.
The ceremony offered a fitting conclusion to an afternoon defined by international tradition, shifting momentum and a finish that remained undecided until the final moments. Team USA’s determined second-half rally brought the home crowd to its feet, but Ireland’s early dominance and composure under pressure ultimately carried the visitors to victory.
With the Liberty Bowl returning to Irish hands, another memorable chapter was added to Newport Polo’s longest-standing international rivalry. Attention now turns to next Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup as Newport Polo’s milestone season continues.
Along with Aston Martin Boston, the Polo Series is proud to welcome partnerships with Brenton Hotel │ Turkish Airlines │ Foxwoods Resort Casino │ TD Bank │BD │ Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers │ Vanderbilt International Properties │ Hotel Viking │ Hammetts Hotel │ Newport Harbor Island Resort │ Forty 1° North │ Veuve Clicquot Champagne │Modern Luxury Boston │ Providence Business News │ Penelope Bourbon │ Clarke Cooke House │ RISE │The Macallan │ Brugal Rum │ Highclere Castle Gin │ Surfside │ Kadeema Rentals │ Spirit Water │ Absolut │ Codigo 1530 Tequila │ Gooseneck Vineyards Prosecco │ Chateau Sainte Marguerite Rosé │ Atria Senior Living │ Stella Artois │ A1 Roofing & Construction │ Grieco BMW │ Kinsella Building Co. │ ROCKSTAR Limo │ Classical 95.9 WCRI │ Cointreau │ Visit Jamaica │ Mt. Gay Silver Rum; and promotional partners including The Cocktail Guru │ Newport Jaguar Tours │ Sailing Yacht Tree of Life │ Island Adventure │ Cocoa & Co │ International Tennis Hall of Fame │ Newport Vineyards │ Elizabeth in Newport │ Newport Mansions │ Sea Newport │ Adventure Kiteboarding School │ Newport Kites │ Newport Classical | Discover Newport.