RORY MCILROY HAS given his clearest indication yet that he’ll line out for Team GB rather than Ireland in the next Olympic Games in Brazil.
The Holywood native won the BMW Championship last night in Indiana — his second event win on the trot — and today admitted that he ‘feels more British than Irish’.
“What makes it such an awful position to be in is I have grown up my whole life playing for Ireland under the Golfing Union of Ireland umbrella,” McIlroy told the Daily Mail. “But the fact is, I’ve always felt more British than Irish.
“Maybe it was the way I was brought up, I don’t know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland. And so I have to weigh that up against the fact that I’ve always played for Ireland and so it is tough. Whatever I do, I know my decision is going to upset some people but I just hope the vast majority will understand.”
The world number one claimed his fourth PGA Tour win this season last night — and sixth overall — with a two-stroke win at Crooked Stick Golf Club, and McIlroy said it was beginning to feel like the usual thing to be on top of the leaderboard on Sunday night.
“The more you put yourself in position and the more you win and the more you pick up trophies, it becomes normal,” the Northern Irishman said. ”It feels like this is what you’re supposed to do.”
McIlroy said his back-to-back PGA Tour wins after his Deutsche Bank Championship title last week meant confidence levels were as high as they could possibly be.
“Just playing with a lot of confidence right now,” he said. ”I’m confident in my ability and confident with the shots that I’m hitting and confident on the greens. It’s a nice run to be on, and I want to try to keep it going for as long as possible.”
World number four and BMW runner-up Lee Westwood (7.13) reserved special praise for McIlroy, throwing his hat in the ring to pair up with the two-time major winner at this year’s Ryder Cup.
“He’s a talent,” Westwood said. ”I played with him when he was 13 and you could see it then. He’s just maturing all the time. If he needs a partner (at the Ryder Cup), I don’t mind.”
If McIlroy does declare for Team GB, it may spell bad news for Westwood however, with each country entitled to send just four players.
They can have him
Exactly, who gives a ****.
Perhaps he’s hoping the decision will help bring the 2017 Open Championship back to Royal Portrush
He prefers Eastenders to Fair city! Whats wrong with him?
Makes it all the more a pity he won RTE’s Sports Person of the Year last year, I suppose we always look after the well-heeled in this country
I’d say he’d be a lovely hurler though. Shame he wouldn’t tog out for his local club. He might have the honour of getting picked for his county if he’s good enough!
Where are all the people who usually attack the people who post comments about Rory being British. Seems they were right all along….
@Tom, being British or Irish is not mutually exclusive.
Dont worry he’ll be Irish again as soon as he starts losing ala Murray who is British (or even English) when he is doing well – then he’s Scottish when he loses.
Well we all sort of knew this didn’t we!
Where did anyone get the idea he was Irish? I mean, his surname is British and all. And he lives in Northern BRITAIN doesn’t he?
Or maybe that is what he wants it to be called.
West Brit: A term used to refer to a person not from Britain trying to identify with the Island of Britain and/or its culture. Synonym: Rory McIlroy
Exactly Ryan, Britain consists of three different countries England Scotland and Wales. How can someone who lives on the island of Ireland call themselves British. Like if Rory is not happy being Irish at least define himself as Northern Irish and not British. But then again its his own personal choice so leave him be I suppose.
“What makes it such an awful position to be in is I have grown up my whole life playing for Ireland under the Golfing Union of Ireland umbrella.” Not very loyal for a loyalist….
Disgusted! That’s a slap in the face for all the people who died for him to be free
I can’t say I am terribly surprised nor am I upset, when he discarded the tri colour after one of his wins I knew there was more to it than people made out.
He didn’t discard it, it was thrown at him.
He “discarded the tricolor”? Do you have any evidence of that?
That’s evident enough unless you’re looking to call an official enquiry or something..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtztjwLhqSs
@noddy
Most national flags are thrown at athletes when they achieve & if they have pride in its meaning they wrap it around them if not they don’t.
It was the first and only time I’ve seen a national flag thrown at (or even presented to) a victorious golfer at an individual tournament. It is not the norm.
It was foisted upon him at a time when he wasn’t expecting it – when he was no doubt high on the elation of such a victory – which is no time to be making such contentious statements.
If he decided he didn’t want to wear it that’s his choice, but you can’t call it discarding it, when he never claimed it in the first place.
If he had worn it he’d probably have pissed off his UK followers; because he didn’t he’s pissed off (some) Irish followers.
Seems he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
Good grief!! According to that video, someone threw a tricolor at him. So, that means that McIlroy “discarded the tricolor”?!
Looked to me like somebody threw the tri colour in his face. Nothing to do with his purported “allegiance”, it seemed like a pretty unmannerly and rude act by whoever did the throwing.
at least thats settled it
Fair play to him for being honest. He’s a human being and this shit of claiming ownership of him and others belongs in the playground.
Liam
I do believe there are some omissions in your comment . These surround honesty and integrity. The Golfing Union of Ireland put huge support through training in Rory over many years and he was only too happy to accept it. He was also delighted to be able to play under the Irish flag when that was his only choice. Now however he has done the calculations and he realises he can make more money by flying the flag of a different Nation and that is the reason for his change in loyalty. That’s where the integrity question raises its head and in a sportsman who plays a game of honour that becomes a little disappointing.
The United Kingdom will also gain massively from Rory’s redesignation and Ireland will lose. Does that seem fine to you?
Seems fine to me and it works both ways especially when it comes to things like soccer
He was a young kid when he was playing for ‘Ireland’ and probably hadn’t thought about it.
At the end of the day he has said he will play for Britain, not that he wants to put on a sash and march down O’Connell street. There were a lot of people on here (rightly) going on about the intolerance of the orange order last week. It’s a bit much to now start having a conniption fit because someone from NI sees themselves British.
When he goes off the rails in a few years we can now be smug.
For once I agree with Mike Collins. Ireland’s golf has poured money into Rory, money that may have been given to a Cork, Galway or other county person that would have gladly played for ?ire. He should be made pay back all funding he got from Irish bodies when as, when as expected, he declares for Team GB.
He has also made Edna Kenny look foolish for praising him as an Irish man when he won the Masters.
In terms of golfing I wish Rory all the best in his career but if his development was paid for by Irish Taxpayers and Irish Taxpayers are not being recognised than the money has to be returned.
GUI represents the whole island and was formed in Belfast. He has done everything appropriate of a young n. Ireland sports man, including representing Ireland like proud Ulster men represent the IRFU.
It’s unfortunate that sports people from the North often have to tread this political tight-rope regarding their nationality. But for what it’s worth, Eddie Irvine summed up my thoughts on the matter…
“But at the end of the day, I’m Irish. I mean, I’ve got a British passport, but if you’re from Ireland, north or south, you’re Irish. And ‘British’ is. . . such a nondescript thing, isn’t it?”
As a Republican, I’m happy Rory just came out and made a statement on this. We should respect both cultures on this island, and if he feels more of a connection with his British identity – let’s not vilify him for it. He will still have the respect of the Irish fans either way.
I agree
He’s entitled to declare his identity as British if that is how he feels. Any nonsense trying to attach his phenomenal success to Ireland and it’s sporting life should now cease or else it only serve to highlight considerable insecurity. There are plenty of Irish sports stars to celebrate without trying to claim British ones.
We rightly castigate attempts to link Irish athletes or celebrities as British, so it works both ways.
Except he owes a lot of his success to the support he got from the golfing union of ireland over the years. Glad he’s finally had the balls to state his position though.
His entire development in golf as mentioned in the article was under the GUI so its nowhere near as cut and dry as you’re suggesting! Regardless of his decision his success owes a lot to their involvement!
I believe he has commited himself to playing the Irish Open for the duration of his career, so the GUI will recoup signifantly more than was ever invested in him.
His identity is his business.
The GUI is a 32 county body which takes its funding from both sides of the border.
God this is so depressing, never a problem when it’s the other way round but if anyone should go against the grain then God help him
A superb Irish sportsman he doesn’t deserve this.
Now if the rugby guys did the same we won’t have to endure Ireland’s Call anymore!
Comment of the day Victoria lol
And lose fez and Bowe and the rest of the Ulster lads coming up, you obvisously know nothing about Irish Rugby
Goodbye sir Rory and good riddance. Typical SDLP brit-loving muppet
Obvious lack of knowledge/intelligence there then….
Con
There’s no place in Irish or British Society for people who make comments of that nature. Please slide back into the gutter and wait for the rain!
@ Mark Sheridan. There is certainly a lack of knowledge/intelligence on Mc Ilroy’s part! He doesn’t know who he is or where he’s from
@ Mick Collins. Your namesake Michael Collins had traitors shot in their beds. We don’t do that kind of thing anymore – we castigate them on The Journal.ie/The Score
Prat
Con; The problem of identity is not Rory McIlroy’s to worry about. He knows who he is.
Your pathetic as to being a muppet do you earn as much does?
Rory suits himself. When he first became successful he dumped his longstanding girlfriend for a tennis player. Now he’s dumping his Irish identity for British. No surprise there. They’re welcome to him and his fickle ways.
Muriel – McIlroy first became successful 3 or 4 yrs ago. He ‘dumped’ his previous girlfriend last year, so best that everyone gets the facts right …
Hey Muriel. I had the misfortune to observe his previous girlfriend on Celebrity come dine with me. She didn’t come across to well in my opinion. He’s well rid of her!
If he feels more British than Irish, that’s fair enough. It’s not a crime or something he should be vilified about. He is being honest and it’s best for him to call it as it is, rather than letting the speculation run and run. Nationality is not something that can be decided on in a detached/scientific fashion.
My sentiments exactly. Why should anybody have to feign something which they are not. James McClean declared for Ireland for the same reasons and as somebody pointed out above, it works both ways. Let this be the end of the matter.
Neil, I agree with you. Here’s a though though…should his picture come down from the wall at Dublin airport? (I always see it when I fly in from the US on my way to somewhere outside Dublin despite your governments best efforts to close the rest of hour country).
The thing is rory you are irish not brittish you fool
He is British. You don’t get to select someone’s identity. Only a personal can decide their own identity. In this case, Rory has opted for a British one. Under the terms of the GFA, he is entitled to a choice. He made it, now you should accept it.
He’s Northern Irish, not Irish and Brittish by default…
Believe it or not, you can be both in the same way as you can be British & English/Scottish/Welsh at the same time
Don’t worry, he’ll be Irish again when he starts losing.
Is he not from the north????did their soccer team not sing god save the queen last weekend…..pointless arguments all along here….NI is part of the commonwealth so he is British…..if he wants to put on a union jack let him off…we all know he is going to do it so no point in slagging him off now when we all supported him over the last number of years
I expect it come down to which government has the biggest tax take.
The Golfing Union of Ireland is an all Ireland body and seeks to develop players on both sides of the Border. Rory is classified as Northern Irish in International Golf competitions. There is no such entity as Great Britain in International golf and so called Team GB is an artificial construct for the Olympics. Soccer and Hockey have the same issue.
Why do we have to stick a label on any individual to appreciate their achievements? The mature way to look at this would be to enjoy watching another Irishman or maybe two competing in the Olympics. Rory declaring for GB creates a space for another Irishman in the Irish team.
It does matter if he’s British or Irish, he’s probably the best golfer of his generation, always like watching him.
Spot on Pierce. I’m bracing myself the chringe-worthy nationalistic nonsense that will likely dominate these comments.
I feel sorry for the poor guy. It’s only a matter of time before the tabloid media will refer to him as being English. It must be an awful quandary for northern Irish sport stars.
If you look at Cricket Morgan(forgot 1st name )and one other were born and raised here played for Ireland then declared for England?Modern sportsmen follow the money.We don’t complain when British footballers declare for Ireland.Slight double standards I think.
What a sad comment, why declare?Clarke and Mc Dowell never felt the need to. Rory’s uncle played GAA for Down, does that make him British? I can guarantee he has lost about 90% of his Irish fans because of this pointless statement.
Agree. Bad PR move.
Who gives a .–k
Poor Rory, feels he’s more British than Irish. Well after watching a real game yesterday (hurling final) I don’t think
we’ re short of real Irish sporting heroes.
#getrealrory
he’s still Irish at the end of the day…
always knew he was confused thinking he was British…
He’s not Irish, he’s Northern Irish and by default Brittish….
Donncha: McIlroy is not British by default because he his from the north. People in the north have the choice to be Irish or British, irrespective of the state the live in. Tens of thousands in the north have Irish citizenship, have Irish passports etc.
If Rory has played all his golf with Ireland he should stick with Ireland after all it is the Irish Golfing family that has got Rory were he is today.
So by that same sentiment James McClean should line out for NI. No way! If that’s where is heart is then so be it.
If he was ranked lower in the world than two leading British players, and couldnt make their team, he would be delighted to play for Ireland.
He is riding high now, and the Olympics is 4 years away, so he would be better advised to keep his mouth shut and we will see where he stands in 2016.
The Grinder; so what exactly is your point? He wants to play for Britain AND…..
Are there any other mitigating factors which enter this equation!!?
I would love it if he wanted to play for us. But he doesn’t. Get over it.
@Kevin, my point is, again, for Rory to be talking about playing in the Olympics, which is 4 years away is foolish.
No athlete or sportsman can look that far ahead with any certainty.
Rory has options, which are denied to many, that is the Choice between 2 countries. Pro Golf is a business and if he doesnt qualify for one he probably will for the other. The business side of Golf will make the practical decision.
The Grinder; Maybe it’s just me… but I don’t want someone who doesn’t beleive they are Irish representing Ireland. I would much rather Rory speak his mind and draw a line under the issue than walk the political tightrope.
My girlfriend was working in one of the top hotels in Dublin a few years back, think it was after he won the open or something. A bloke came up to him to shake his hand and congratulate him and Rory laughed, rolled his eyes and turned his back on the guy and went on back chatting to his mates
Say what ya want about Harrington being a choker at least he had time for his fans.. Mcilroy is a bell end!
My girlfriend was also working in one of the top hotels in Dublin a few years back. A bloke came up to him to shake his hand and congratulate him and Rory said thanks very much and had a chat with him and signed an autograph for him.
Are your opinions of people formed on hearsay?
Did your girlfriend here what the fan said to Rory?
Is it possible he said something disparaging?
I’ve no idea what kind of bloke he is (he may well be a “bell end”) but I’d do him the courtesy of finding out for myself first before judging him.
BTW He has never won the Irish or British opens.
Disappointing but his choice.
you can’t blame the guy for the way he was brought up. Realistically everybody knew it and the vast majority of people would get a lot more excited if the likes of padraig harrington won yesterday
From living abroad I’ve known northern Irish to claim their British and say their from the uk and very patriotic, that is until there is an opportunity to be had,, they very suddenly keep their mouth shut and go with the ride!
they are Irish when there is to gain from it
And then in the pub later when some1 says I love ur Irish accent they are “British” again!
The day he won his first major and threw the tricolour to the ground that was thrown to him by an Irish fan in the crowd – the game was up. They are welcome to him.
After years of the FAI poaching young Northern players after years of coaching from the IFA and the IFA’s effors to get young players placements with good English Premiership clubs all I can say is turn around is fair play.
It don’t matter the next time he loses he will be Irish again.
British or Irish , I couldnt give a monkeys !
I still thinks he’s the biggest plonker in world sport !!
Totally agree! Something about the guy I can’t stand!!
I’m sure money has a lot to do with it too
I doubt that very much. The bloke’s already a multi-millionaire and will likely be a billionaire by the end of his career, olympics or not.
Money has nothing to do with it
You don’t get paid for competing in the Olympics
Rory mcilroy’s feelings of being British are his own and have been passed down to him through generations. He shouldn’t be knocked for this.
However like rugby, golf in Ireland is run centrally as a 32 county organisation and I dare say Rory wouldn’t be where he is without the support of it.
Through my own sense of irishness I’m sorry to hear him say this but it doesn’t surprise me in the least.
As a person i find him a hard fella to like anyway, even if he came out and declared himself the most Irish of Irish I’d still be pulling for Padraig Harrington every time against him.
Golf isn’t the most patriotic of sports anyway. Why is it that Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have not felt the need to say anything about this in their whole career and yet at 22 mcilroy has said it. You can’t help as an Irish man or woman but to feel a sense of snobbishness or superiority in this statement
I’m not too sure if McIlroy’s feelings of being British have been passed down to him through generations.
He was actually raised a Catholic and loyalist paramilitaries murdered his great uncle but he grew up in Unionist north Down and attended a rugby/hockey/cricket-playing grammar school. I think that’s where he gets his sense of identity.
Well rg if that’s true then I retract.
It seems awful to think that a snobby school can have such an impact on a mans thinking or sense of where he came from
I can’t see any snobbishness or superiority here
He may well just be getting it out there to remove any debate in 4 years time
I went to the same school and nobody considers themselves Irish rather than British at it, ( or didn’t when I attended) its also 60-40 mixed, it just reflects the views in that locality, I’m surprised how upset people are that there are people in NI who consider themselves British, were your TVs broken when the troubles were on?
We claim a 1966 world cup winner Big Jack our own and an irish hero
All through the Olympics it was Great Britain AND Northern Ireland- I have British in laws and they never refer to Northern Irish people as British. They don’t consider them British, just Irish or Northern Irish. It’s a pity he didn’t just say he feels Northern Irish and would like the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland at the Olympics and less likely to offend either community. The Irish golfers will be delighted. There was an article in the Irish Times where Padraig Harrington wanted him and McDowell to declare for Britain in the Olympics as this would lend to more golfers from Ireland(north and south) to participate in the Olympics 2016. I think Rory’s response then was that it was a big decision not as easy as Padraig was suggesting as it meant standing on a podium, under a national anthem that would not represent a whole community….. Though it’s hard to believe someone who was raised as a catholic nationalist and who had a family member murdered by loyalist paramilitaries could feel more British.
Are you not British if your born on the island of great Britain? Your Irish if your born on the island of Ireland!
Whats the problem.I always taught him as British.I wish the media would concentrate on OUR golfers and not some foreigner.
You taught him? What was he like as a pupil?
Born, raised and taught on the island of Ireland= Irish! Judas.
They can have him! Sure don’t we have Jason Symth. A real Olympian.
Smyth*
All he does is hit a little plastic composite ball with a piece of metal. Big deal. Its hardly worth getting vexed over whether he feels British or Bangladeshi.
Where he wants to come from doesn’t matter he is world no.1 fair play to him
He’s not British .. Britain is the Island that lies next to Ireland.
Fair enough if he feels part of the United Kingdom … up to him .. no-one else’s business.
But to call him British would be the same as calling White south African’s Dutch.
he declares himself as being British in the Interview posted above! If he feels he is then that’s his choice I’d rather have a cork player represent us than someone who doesn’t want to be associated with the Irish people!
Officially, it’s the United Kingdom of Great Britain AND Northern Ireland. Those who are from N Ireland are UK subjects but they are not British!
On another point, it’s daft having professionals competing in the Olympics, they don’t play for their country; they play for money!
Our Rory. Someone tell him to STFU
Is a pity that exception can’t be made for golf where NI could be represented at Olympics, would be a great team. Anyway, I feel he is still Irish, Northern Irish is Irish, it is possible to be British and Irish, am sure he would prefer not to choose, grey areas in all our lives. We have to trust that this is a personal and not mercenary move. As long as he continues to be the well rounded guy we see now I will wish him all the best.
pro golfers play tournaments all year they represent nobody but themselves nationality doesnt come in to it
Must pay better to be British.
I agree & always the possibility of a knighthood !
U do have to feel sorry for NI athletes ,.. Jason Smyth on C4 was asked the same why did he elect Ireland over team GB … Answered well noting that it was not due to a political view but simply because the Irish athletics body was more supportive at the time …
Parsing and analysing their decisions and whether it reflects an ideology is wasteful … I like Rory because he’s one of the best golfers in the world not because hes Irish or English or American etc
I’m very annoyed with his decision. He represented Ireland twice at the Golf World Cup and now he is going to represent Team GB in Rio.
I was going to support him at the Ryder Cup later this month but he has just lost my support.
Mc Ilroy/ Mac Giolla an Rí – i.e. the son of the king’s servant. Only there is no brit king at the moment so Rory becomes the queen’s servant. Silly boy.
In he pub where I work, all he customers think he has bit the hand that fed him. Lets hope he keeps playind well.
He said he feels British. So why would team Ireland want a player who doesn’t regard himself as Irish.
Yes he benefited hugely from the GUI’s support but I think he has repaid that. He has represented Ireland with honour at every level.
I wish him well in an impossible situation.
As long as he continues to turn up for the Irish open, I’ll continue being a fan of his.
By declaring for Britain he will find himself in a no-man’s-land. His Irish support will dwindle and he will be regarded as just a “Paddy” by his new Brirish “friends”. If he really wanted to know how they would value him he should have looked at his “Northern Ireland” banknote – it has a picture of queen of England on it, yet they will not accept it in London
Northern banknotes don’t have a picture of the queen on them, apart from that minor point your post was ok
The UK are welcome to him and I hope Woods puts manners on him in the Ryder cup .
I can’t say I’m disappointed, because I am, but it’s Rory’s decision. If he feels more British than Irish then so be it. We should not criticise him for it.
I’m only disappointed because a potential gold medal in four years time will be part of Britain’s tally as opposed to Ireland’s.
The young lad has made his decision and the best of luck to him. It is nonsense to run around throwing flags at sportsmen. It is not the same as planting a flag on a mountain or an unclaimed territory. You cannot claim a person by planting a flag on him.
Well, McIlroy has represented Ireland several times up to now. Last March he said in an interview: “The Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council has been very supportive to me. They’ve helped me tremendously, and I’ve travelled all over the world at their expense, pretty much. It’s great to have that support behind you .” So, now he’s effectively saying “That was grand, thanks lads – but I’m off”. Suggest we knew where his loyalties lay when he put a loyalist flag on the first version of his personal website (it’s gone off it now, wonder why). No surprises,so.
A total feckin insult, hope he enjoyed the support of the golfing union of IRELAND!
Read his open letter on twitter ,someone may have jumped the gun.
As a proud Irishman and a huge golfing fan its really gonna p*ss me off watching Mcilroy getting presented with a medal as the union jack is raised and god save the (king?) is being played. TeamGB my @rse. NI isn’t even part of great Britain. If northern Irish athletes don’t want to represent the island of Ireland then good riddance to them.
Him and Barry mcguigan must be from the same neighbourhood
He has described himself as British before.
I wonder at what point do some of these Ulster Catholics decide that they are British? It’s obvious from his comments that it goes beyond a simple political position too.
When? He’s always chose not to answer the Irish/british question when put to him…he always stated he was Northern Irish….which he is. That’s why his announcement is so strange. They’ll have to change the Northern Irish flag to the British flag on the Ryder Cup score board
http://www.pgatour.com/2009/tournaments/r010/03/04/wednesday_transcript_mcilroy/index.html
Anybody who describes themselves as “Northern Irish” is making a distinction from “Irish”.
tricky position to be in, though i might point out he hasn’t actually elected to play for any team yet or even to play at all. if he considers himself more part of the UK then that’s fair enough. also all this mention of it making him more money that way, can’t see how – golfers generate their own income by winning no?
good riddance, after throwing the tricolour on the ground its hardly surprising
We have all their footballers so you can have a golfer
Why are people surprised, wasn’t his nickname on wiki rory the loyalist, when mcilroy plays from now on, people should try wrap the union jack around him and his father
At last… I was sick of Irish pundits claiming he was Irish, it was obvious he never felt irish. He is Scots-Irish not Irish. Now can we move on???
The whole population of the North are British subjects as are the populations of England,Scotland and Wales.If Mcilroy states he feels more British than Irish then he is a little confused and I can only put this down to his age and his life time obsession to golf.He is of course Irish and British and nobody should really have a problem with that tag. Every athlete from the North of Ireland faces a similar problem if they are good enough in their chosen sport and both countries would benefit from their participation. Most select their team of choice based on strong beliefs but some who are in sports (football and Golf) may do so based on financial gain and career progression and good luck to them.
Ah the poor gobsh!te. He’s more to be pitied than to be laughed at. Imagine thinking you’re British even if you’re born in Ireland of Irish parents. Clearly the geography teacher in his grammar school wasn’t the best….
looks to me as thought the person throwing the tricolour was the one discarding it
Any athlete from Northern Ireland because of the situation up there is pretty much allowed to declare for who he/she wants to so should be the same for Rory. As for the comments about playing underage for Ireland I would suggest it should be the same as it is in international soccer. You can play underage for a country and then switch at senior level. I personally wouldn’t being offend either way if he played for GB. If that’s what he wants, grand!
Be interesting to see the likes of the top golfers in Britain how they will feel about Westwood , rose , poulter and co don’t think they will be happy maybe some underhand pressure put on their golfing union not to select him
He is entitled to his opinion. he is from Nothern Ireland which is part of the UK remember he may have been supported in golf by GUI but was educated in the UK these things make a difference. I don’t think we can judge him.
If it is true that Rory “feels” more British than Irish then that is a direct result of the failure of every republican, politician and citizen of the Nation of Ireland to totally rid this country of Westminster control . Did the overall agenda of the plantation of Ireland succeed ? Ask Rory .
Excellent Roy. Some of the inane comments make me ashamed to be Irish I think residents of the Republic should be entitled to carry a British passport.
Patrick, it is clear from your tag picture where your loyalties truly lie. Methinks your shame at being Irish predates any comment here. Given that you have chosen the long defunct ‘Protectorate Jack’ used between 1658-60 your allegiance to Britain and your call for citizens of the republic to be allowed to hold British passports is of no surprise. No doubt you would like to get hold of one yourself since, like Rory you likely consider yourself to be more British than Irish. Your business of course – is é sin an saol! Sorry, I’ll translate – ‘that is life/ such is life’
He was born on the island of Ireland that makes him Irish simple as ,, if he wants to tog out for team GB off with ya
He was born on the island of Ireland that makes him Irish simple as ,, if he wants to tog out for team GB off with ya
“British” is a very ambiguous term. I don’t know how anyone could “identify” as British. Even English, Scottish and Welsh people seem to refer more to themselves in relation to their respective countries. Which I suppose makes it even more surprising, and even a bit sad that it’s an Irishman who declares himself as “feeling British”. Especially one we have embraced so much.
This is just my opinion, of course, but surely he’s Northern Irish first and foremost. And considering, as far as the Olympics go, Team GB is really just the brand name of Team “Great Britain AND Northern Ireland” ; this hardly comes as a surprise to me.
sweet Jesus who cares really???best of luck to him ……….
It was obvious he considered himself British some time ago. Why are people surprised? I am amazed at the lack of understanding there is about the situation around being born in the six north-eastern counties of the island. Simply, anyone born on the island is by ‘definition and right’ “Irish”. However, some decide that they would prefer to be ‘British’, McIlroy being a case in point. Others, such as James McLean, Darron Gibson, Marc Wilson, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlon to name but a few have never been anything else but Irish. They may have represented N.I. at underage level (similar to McIlroy representing Ireland at junior level). But (in the case of the footballers) that is down to the fact that there is no structure in place to facilitate them to play for Ireland. I’m not sure if McIlroy could have represented GB sooner.
For the majority of sportsmen and women born in the six counties who consider themselves Irish; it is not a matter of choosing to represent Ireland – choice doesn’t come into it. They are Irish so they will represent Ireland. Representing GB or NI at just wouldn’t enter their heads. While the majority of individuals born on the island who go on to represent GB, England or NI in sport originate north of the border don’t forget we have had a few from south of the border who have done so too – Eoin Morgan (Cricket), Kyran Bracken (Rugby). Being Irish I’d prefer that everyone born on the island would consider themselves Irish but that is not the reality. McIlroy has made his decision (even if the press suggest he is still wrestling with it) he is British. As such I have less than a passing interest in him as I prefer to focus on those who represent my country.
By the way on this island you either have an Irish or British passport (some may have both – which I don’t agree with). There is no such nationality as Northern Irish. People who describe themselves as such are perhaps sitting on the fence – or perhaps afraid that stating that they are Irish or British might lead to some form of discrimination, for example, when applying for jobs. Ultimately, the passport they hold will divulge their true nationality.
It’s a pity they didn’t throw the Irish flag of that bloody coffin last week. That I’d the mentality of tribalism and nationalism. What is the point of any flag waving ? All flags should be banned they have only ever caused wars and trouble. Religion and nationalism globally are the root cause of all the worlds problems so why encourage it? What is good about being from one country or another?
i totally agree two world wars foughtover nationalism
I cant see the problem here. Sure, arent we all Gods children?
It’s all about the money. Mc Ilroy’s God is Mammon, so he ditches his Irish nationality for more lucrative sponsorhips/endorsements by becoming a Brit
wonder if he will get the same level of abuse Neil Lennon got,death threats and the like,hope not,we have grown out of that surely
No he won’t, because he’ll be representing Northern Ireland. James McClean for example chose to represent a different country….and angered both sides of the community in Northern Ireland….hence the death threats and vitriolic hatred. You can’t blame McClean really, all the songs and chants are up the Billy boys,death to the Taigs, etc etc. So he didn’t feel playing for northern Ireland was inclusive to all backgrounds. Golf doesn’t have those issues. Although with Rory’s move who knows!
Eimear – James McLean did not represent a ‘different country’ he chose to represent ‘his own’ country – N. Ireland is not his country! I wouldn’t have thought, given your contributions on this site (the majority of which I tend to agree with by the way), that you were of the ‘partitionist view’.
Eamonn, whether you agree with partition or not he originally played for NI U21 before the Republic so in the eyes of FIFA at least, he did play for a different country…
What a load of nonsense. Who cares – it’s his choice. Like it or not professional/elite athletes do it for themselves, and not for anyone/anything else. Don’t delude yourselves otherwise. Rory, and any other top athlete, will do whatever gives him the best chance in his sport – on this topic, does anyone genuinely think wee Wayne McCullough felt more Irish than British when fighting for Ireland in the Olympics?
Safe to say I am disappointed by Rory’s comments particularly considering how Golf is a unified sport in Ireland.nnThere is one golfing Union and all players grow up playing under this banner.nnMy question would be the opposite to many comments I have looked over. By declaring for Britain (which is as of yet not decided) will he actually loose money. Will many of the Americans proud of his Irish heritage show as much support to him when he declares he is British? nnWhatever he decides, we should still be proud that somebody from this island, as a product of this Islands golfing union has the potential to become the greatest.nnAll connected with Irish golf and the GUI can pat themselves on the back!nn
It’s all down to money
The young man is wonderful.
Can people focus on his golf and leave the flag waving at the door.
Keep up the good work Rory!
The GUI governs golf in the island of Ireland, north and south. Rory is from the north and carries a
N of I passport. He is free to choose which country he declares for, as is say, Padraig Harrington. What if Padraig declared for N of I? This discussion is as stupid as that and takes from the wonderful achievements of a wonderful athlete and an outstanding representive from this divided island. Would any of the above commentators be a bit concerned if the said Rory was ranked say 125th in the world?
I think not. Stop all this useless nonsense and enjoy the achievents of this outstanding young man.
We should all be very proud of him.
The young man is wonderful.
Can people focus on his golf and leave the flag waving at the door.
Keep up the good work Rory!
They can have him….
If you are born in Northern Ireland you are Classed as Northern Irish, if you are born in Southern Ireland you are classed as Southern Irish… The key word here is “Irish” but if he wants to say he’s British that’s a personal choice I suppose…….. Still a great golfer though…!
Great Golfer.
Who he wants to represent is his choice. I respect him for his golfing achievements.
I’m sorry but he’s is always going to be seems as English from now on. They can have him . Who wants a git like him claiming to be Irish
if he wants fame and money who are we to complain
Dammed If he does, dammed if he don’t. It’s his choice. I remember seeing him on tv at 15 and he was being tipped as the next tiger woods even then, so he would have made it, Irish help or not.