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Rory McIlroy says he wants to stay neither British nor Irish

Ulster golfer claims he is in a ‘no win’ Olympic Games position

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 3:18 AM

Updated Tuesday, December 25, 2012, 4:05 AM

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Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell walk behind the Irish flag

Photo by Google Images

Golfer Rory McIlroy has claimed he doesn’t want to be committed to any flag as the furore surrounding his Olympic future grows.

The world number one has admitted in an interview with Irish state broadcaster RTE that he doesn’t want to be tied down to a flag.

In the documentary ‘Rory McIlroy – The Interview’, the County Down native admits that he doesn’t want to upset anyone in Ireland or Britain with his decision ahead of the Rio games in 2016.

The 23-year-old also claims in the TV programme, to be broadcast on Thursday night, that he is in an impossible position when it comes to choosing between Ireland or Britain for the next Olympics.

McIlroy said: “It’s a tough one. Being from Northern Ireland it brings its own difficulties whenever you have to choose who to play for or an allegiance.

“It’s just a difficult position to be in because you don’t want to let anyone down and you don’t want to upset anyone.”

McIlroy got a taste of the bitterness to come when he said in an interview in September that he was leaning toward representing Great Britain.

He was abused on Twitter before clarifying his position on the social network site.

Now he has told RTE that he doesn’t feel that he wants to be just defined by the tricolour or the Union Jack in his sports career.

McIlroy added: “I feel I’m more than just a flag. I play golf and I’m an international sports person and it doesn’t tie me to one flag or one allegiance.”

Nster.com

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27 Comments

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johnshiel | Dec 27, 2012, 04:26 PM EST

what would the fallout be like if Rory declined to compete because of the rancor connected with playing for either country?

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Seanmor | Dec 27, 2012, 12:17 AM EST

When it comes to the Olympics, Great Britair competes under it's own name, which of course in Great Britain. But the 'independent' Irish state lists itself as Ireland at these games. McIlroy cannot be blamed if he chooses to play for Britain, because many government members of the Irish state regard Northerners, including staunch Nationalists, as British.

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WoundedKnee | Dec 26, 2012, 02:48 PM EST

DARRAGH: "On the British Isle they have 4 Separate teams". Help me on this. What are the four teams? Three I can get--England, Wales, Scotland. But what's the fourth?

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WoundedKnee | Dec 26, 2012, 02:44 PM EST

GEF: " Most Irish nationalists hold Irish Passports". That's true, by definition., But most Catholics in the Six Counties travel under British passports.

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mamaginnty | Dec 26, 2012, 02:14 PM EST

Clever lad, playing both sides on the highest bid.

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pilib04 | Dec 26, 2012, 01:07 PM EST

It is shameful that people are attacking Rory over this whole flag nonsense. Didn't we learn enough with the Belfast Flag riots a few weeks ago? Shame on all. Leave Rory alone.

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GEF | Dec 26, 2012, 09:21 AM EST

Since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement some citizens of Northern Ireland can be both Irish and British and hold two passports. Most Irish nationalists hold Irish Passports and Most Unionists hold British passports, but a small minority have chosen to have two passport.

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stephendoyle | Dec 26, 2012, 08:23 AM EST

Let him fly a E.U. flag then if he can't remember which island he was born on.If I ever forget, all I need to do is look at my long form. IRELAND is clearly spelled.....

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darragh S | Dec 26, 2012, 03:02 AM EST

The Rugby Union team in Ireland is represented by players from all 4 Provinces (same for Cricket and Hockey). On the British Isle they have 4 Separate teams and this is the same for the Commonwealth games. For the Olympics NI is part of the UK but not Great Britain and competitors have a choice of team GB or Team Ireland. So as it stands he has to choose. There was a suggestion that the next games might have team UK. At the London games 13 NI residents played Ireland, 7 for team UK. Where will this leave the next lot who's choice is team Ireland or will they still have a choice? So its no Wonder he is confused given that he calls himself British, has MBE status and his family is harassed by the UDF one having been killed. Maybe this is why he sold his home and moved to Florida. My money is on Team USA.

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darragh S | Dec 26, 2012, 03:01 AM EST

The Rugby Union team in Ireland is represented by players from all 4 Provinces (same for Cricket and Hockey). On the British Isle they have 4 Separate teams and this is the same for the Commonwealth games. For the Olympics NI is part of the UK but not Great Britain have a choice of team GB or Team Ireland. So as it stands he has to choose. There was a suggestion that the next games might have team UK. At the London games 13 NI residents played Ireland, 7 for team UK. Where will this leave the next lot who's choice is team Ireland or will they still have a choice? So its no Wonder he is confused given that he calls himself British, has MBE status and his family is harassed by the UDF one having been killed. Maybe this is why he sold his home and moved to Florida. My money is on Team USA.

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darragh S | Dec 26, 2012, 02:39 AM EST

The Rugby Union team in Ireland is represented by players from all 4 Provinces (same for Cricket and Hockey). On the British Isle they have 3 Separate teams and this is the same for the Commonwealth games. In the Olympic team NI, as part of the UK but not Great Britain have a choice of team UK or Team Ireland. So as it stands he has to choose. There was a suggestion that the next games might have team GB. At the London games 13 NI residents played Ireland, 7 for team UK. So where would this leave the next lot who's choice is team Ireland? So its no Wonder he is confused given that he calls himself British, has MBE status and his family is harrassed by the UDF one having been killed. Maybe this is why he sold his home and moved to Florida. My money is on Team USA.

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branagh | Dec 26, 2012, 01:34 AM EST

Honesty,this is become sickening so tiresome! Note,it was McIlroy who started this juvenile ride in the insulting way he claimed to feel more british than irish. If he wanted to make a claim on some subconscious impulse simply state-I'm british and that's how it is. Besides,come 2016 maybe neither Britain or Ireland will want him!

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Happyhippo | Dec 25, 2012, 07:45 PM EST

Rory keeping his options open,likely to even opt for the flag with the biggest pay check,a case of the more you give me the more patriotic i am,maybe not such a bad idea when you concider that his earnings will most likly reach gazillions.

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seanaci | Dec 25, 2012, 07:05 PM EST

Sport should be confined to competition between athletes and teams of athletes. The nation-state is a failing or almost failed concept. The great disparity in resources and populations between "countries" competing with one another makes a nonsense of international competition. For example, FIFA's champions league is pure sport. The world cup is for those who haven't noticed that we're in the 21st century. Good for Rory for being a person rather than a possession.

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Smyrnian | Dec 25, 2012, 05:39 PM EST

The little bugger needs to make up his mind!

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