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Michael Hoey. PA Images

Hoey has Ryder Cup in his sights after claiming Hassan Trophy win

The 33-year-old came from nowhere to beat compatriot Damien McGrane in Morocco.

MICHAEL HOEY OF Northern Ireland stormed past his compatriot Damien McGrane to win the Hassan Trophy in Morocco on Sunday.

The former British amateur champion was nine shots behind after his opening 74 but he managed to grab his fourth European Tour victory – and second of the current campaign – with two quite brilliant closing rounds of 65.

Hoey is now hoping to make his Ryder Cup debut having pushed McGrane down into second place.

“I’ve not really been thinking about it, but I’m obviously in contention,” he replied when asked about his prospects of taking on the United States.

While the 40-year-old McGrane had found himself leading by three after starting with successive birdies, he was quickly chasing Hoey by two when he managed a two on the short second hole and four successive birdies from the fifth.

Hoey may have bogeyed the tenth but three birdies in his last four holes ensured that he walked away with the prize of £207,737.

Sunday’s Allianz Football League round-up >

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9 Comments
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    Mute Silent P
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    Mar 25th 2012, 11:18 PM

    Life really is wasted on this type of crap. There are only 6 million people living on the island of Ireland out of a world population of over 7 Billion. Let’s all celebrate the achievements of our Islanders and stop worrying about what passport they have in their arse. pocket.

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    Mute Brian O' Brien
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    Mar 25th 2012, 11:40 PM

    Yeah he’s a good guy, good pro and a great win, hard luck Damien I don’t think you choked again and as us golfers know anyone on this island is Irish whether it’s southern or northern.

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    Mute Blair Somers
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    Mar 25th 2012, 11:01 PM

    Ah get a room lads will ya!

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Mar 25th 2012, 7:29 PM

    #1 he didn’t beat his compatriot.
    #2 choked again Damien.

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    Mute Cal Mooney
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    Mar 25th 2012, 9:34 PM

    Jambbie, you love cricket .. and you are from Dublin … yuo dont see anything wrong in calling someone who declares himself 100% Irish a foreigner … Man, you are a tool … go see a doctor… seriously

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Mar 25th 2012, 9:54 PM

    @cal mooney
    Read the article ya jewel before you u demand I see a doc.
    It points out that Michael Hoey is from Northern Ireland and the last time I checked they have a different currency among other things. Damien McGrane is from Co. Meath not part of Northern Ireland.
    Where did I say Michael Hoey is a foreigner.
    What a clown, Think before u post stupid comments, and wtf has my interest in cricket got to do with this article ya gonk.

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    Mute Cal Mooney
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    Mar 25th 2012, 10:23 PM

    Once more for slow readers like Jambie …
    Even ifh you are from Dublin, you are complaining about Journal.ie saying that Hoey is a compatriot of McGrane…. I was born in Belfast, so i am fully aware of the currency the North uses. However, that does not make me a foreigner. Hoey and I both have Irish passports. But i am guessing some ignorant and racist people have issues with people like me (ie we dont play cricket, so therefore we are not Irish????). I live in the South… i dont see a border .. Does anyone see a physical border? If anyone from the North wants to declare themselves Irish, accept it. If someone from the North declares themselves British accept it. If someone decalres themsleves “Northern Iris”h, accept it… Given our history, we are at least entiteled to be whatever we want to be …
    But for ignoramouses like Jambie … in GOLF parle …. All Ireland golfers, plays under the golf union of Ireland…. so the Journalie is 100% right to call them a compatriot … Journal.ie didnt spell it out for people who know nothing about golf, but understand everything about cricket, they didnt expect people to bring politics into such a simple sports topic ….

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    Mute John Deane
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    Mar 26th 2012, 12:29 AM

    Hey guys Nobody cares ok.

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    Mute Alan Bolger
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    Mar 26th 2012, 12:04 AM

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn

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