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McIlroy and Clarke feature on British Queen’s New Years Honors list

Ulster duo speak of delight at regal recognition

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, January 1, 2012, 8:06 AM

Updated Sunday, January 1, 2012, 8:06 AM

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Rory McIlroy

Ulster golf duo Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke have been rewarded for their sensational victories in 2011 – by the Queen of England.

The Northern Ireland stars have both been named in the Queen’s annual honors list.

US Open champion McIlroy has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the British Monarch.

British Open winner Clarke, 20 years older than McIlroy at 42, is to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
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McIlroy learnt of his latest distinction as he enjoyed a holiday in Thailand with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, the world’s number one tennis player.

The Queen dedicated both awards to the Ulstermen for their services to sport.

“I am delighted to be named in the queen’s New Year Honours List. It is quite humbling to be included in such a list of worthy recipients,” said McIlroy, the youngest US Open champion in 88 years.

“Many people on the honours list have made huge personal sacrifices and contributed significantly to society. I feel very fortunate to be in their company.”

Clarke said: “It is a great honour and a fantastic way to end a great year. I am very proud for me and my family.”

Nster.com

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7 Comments

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oldboreen | Jan 02, 2012, 05:58 PM EST

I don't particulalrly like it any more than you do Mr Cathal Dervan, but the fact remains, Northern Ireland is British. Get used to the idea-it been like that since 1922! So why shouldn't the British head of state honour two of her golfing subjects?

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seanomelbourne | Jan 02, 2012, 05:56 PM EST

Fallsrnat I will choose my own reading material which by the way includes a history of the orange lodge written in the thirties.Now that you mention Carson he(on his deathbed) regretted the division of Ireland.I had a long conversation with his nephew some years ago and gained an insight into carsons career and I feel privileged to have done so.BTW citizen69 you make no sense whatsoever.I presume you must agree with what I said, after all it's a documented fact that McIllroys uncle was murdered by the british regime that gave him his medal and the soldier who killed the innocent man may also have received a medal from the same people for his services in the north of Ireland.How the worm turns

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FallsRNat | Jan 02, 2012, 03:19 PM EST

no citizen IRA murders don't count in seano's or shd i say sirpeter's book - remember that this is the person who says that my family are brits spies, i suppose when he finally comes home, he can bring a hammer & chiesel with him & star removing their names from the plaques, memorials in wicklow, dublin, milton cemetary, i lost more family members in this war than he has in his whole family, to hear a traitor like adams being mentioned in the same breath as these true patriots is galling - can i suggest he gen's up on his history & read Leaders & Men of the Easter Uprising, Dublin Castle & the Easter Uprising, he may also like to read Carson's biography, memoirs of John Regan A catholic officer in RIC 1909-48. you need to look at all versions of irish history to have an understanding of the truth no matter how unpallatable in may be.

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citizen69 | Jan 02, 2012, 12:26 PM EST

Wise up melbourne, using your argument we can say all victims of the IRA were murdered by the Irish state.

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seanomelbourne | Jan 01, 2012, 06:40 PM EST

If McIllroy wishes to accept an award from the regime that murdered his uncle so be it.

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cillowen | Jan 01, 2012, 02:07 PM EST

ooooeeeee! doing a teebow fur 'er 'ighesss - such a thrill.

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johhnyb | Jan 01, 2012, 09:41 AM EST

Great to see it. And not spoiled at all by your churlish headline.