What Is It About Northern Ireland ... ?

[Guest]

Historically a troubled land but in recent times this tiny country has undoubtedly produced some of the greatest and most exciting sporting geniuses these islands have ever nurtured.

We've had the incomparable George Best, Alex Higgins, Graham McDowell and now, potentially the greatest of them all, the wonderful Rory McIlroy.

We Scots tend to console ourselves that, Andy Murray apart, we never win anything as we are just to small a nation to succeed at the highest level.

What utter tosh ... so c'mon 22-year old Rory, you richly deserve to be US Open Golf Champion ... go for it, son!

[PatrickOD]

scotty, I think it might have something to do with the Scottish connection, especially the golfers. McDowell, McIlroy and don't forget(Darren) Clarke, are names that are common to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and have Gaelic origins. The mists of time have shrouded the exact movement of these family names. The same applies to Murray. So, between us, scotty, we can get our collective roars together for Dalriada.
In the meantime, I refuse to accept any mishaps this time for Rory's triumphal stride up the eighteenth to sink his birdie putt.

21.15

16 under par, and a 10 stroke lead after 4.

[Don Basilio]

Scots. Chris Hoy. They've just finished (OK in January) building the lovely Velodrome (popularly known as the Pringle on account of its shape) in the Olympic Park just so he can win his gold there.

[Freddie Campbell]

...For it's size NI has produced top people in just about every department of life! I went to School with Barry Douglas who is a personal friend- and our School produced many other fine musicians etc...

[antongould]

We Scots tend to console ourselves that, Andy Murray apart, we never win anything as we are just to small a nation to succeed ....

Jackson, Dunn, Gallacher, James, Morton ???

[scottycelt]

scotty, I think it might have something to do with the Scottish connection, especially the golfers. McDowell, McIlroy and don't forget(Darren) Clarke, are names that are common to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and have Gaelic origins. The mists of time have shrouded the exact movement of these family names. The same applies to Murray. So, between us, scotty, we can get our collective roars together for Dalriada.
In the meantime, I refuse to accept any mishaps this time for Rory's triumphal stride up the eighteenth to sink his birdie putt.

21.15

16 under par, and a 10 stroke lead after 4.

Thanks for your typically kind and generously inclusive words, Patrick ...

Like you I'm watching the young Rory on television in continued utter amazement.

It's not just his obvious brilliance. The most impressive aspect of his game for me is the way he recovers from relatively poor initial shots to attain par or even better.

Not only is this lad a golfing genius he already looks like a seasoned professional already playing the next shot in his head.

For a 22 year old that is not only most unusual it is almost frightening!

[scottycelt]

Jackson, Dunn, Gallacher, James, Morton ???

A bit before even my time, Anton, though my dad did go on a bit about Patsy Gallagher ... or do you mean Hughie ... ?

[PatrickOD]

Like you I'm watching the young Rory on television in continued utter amazement.

Alas scotty I'm reduced to the text thingy on the television set. We've just got new TV gear and it's not yet up to speed. I see he's only 9 shots ahead after 6 when I last looked, and I heard, by phone from a source in England!, he nearly went into the water! Rory! What are you thinking of?

[antongould]

A bit before even my time, Anton, though my dad did go on a bit about Patsy Gallagher ... or do you mean Hughie ... ?

Hughie Gallacher a legend in these parts.

And the Wembley Wizards I thought it was a standard question in Scottish History Exams!?t

[PatrickOD]

Well, Rory didn't finish with a birdie, but what a putt! Look at it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL3i-WbETx0

A pillar to post winner of the US Open - 16 under and by 8 shots.

He certainly inspired me this morning - I went round the front 9 in 50. That's 14 OVER par.

Did you know that his old school motto is, uniquely I think, in the Irish language - Lamh Foisdineach an Uachtar (with the gentle hand foremost). He has the gentle touch with the putter, but boy! can he hit a mighty drive.

Sorry. I'll say no more. I know you are all lost in admiration.

[scottycelt]

Well, Rory didn't finish with a birdie, but what a putt! Look at it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL3i-WbETx0

A pillar to post winner of the US Open - 16 under and by 8 shots.

He certainly inspired me this morning - I went round the front 9 in 50. That's 14 OVER par.

Did you know that his old school motto is, uniquely I think, in the Irish language - Lamh Foisdineach an Uachtar (with the gentle hand foremost). He has the gentle touch with the putter, but boy! can he hit a mighty drive.

Sorry. I'll say no more. I know you are all lost in admiration.

Well, I thought I was well past staying up to the early hours watching TV, but the young Rory proved me wrong!

What a performance, and, even better, there are obviously no airs and graces with this lad.

Yes, Patrick, that putt was quite extraordinary and it sort of summed up the boy's overall game ... brilliance alongside disciplined professionalism, playing to the very last ball.

Wonderful, exhilarating stuff !

[PatrickOD]

Scots. Chris Hoy.

Apologies Don Basilio. I had to google to find out that Chris Hoy was an Olympic hero, and a Scot to boot.
It looks as if the race for gold at the Pringle could be interesting!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/feb/20/track-world-cup-chris-hoy-azizulhasni-awang