Don’t wrap the green flag around golfer Rory McIlroy -- Let Rory play under the Union Jack if that’s what he wants
By: Patrick Roberts | Published Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 11:32 AM | Updated Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 11:32 AM
 |
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during
the third round of the PGA golf tournament in Carmel, Ind (Photo: AP) |
| |
|
Let’s not wrap the green flag around
Rory McIlroy like many pundits want to do.
The lad would prefer to play for Britain and not Ireland, that much is clear.
Why not let him and just accept his preferences.
When Northern Ireland players like Darren Gibson opt out of Northern Ireland’s soccer team and declare for the Republic no one in the south appears to complain.
What goes around comes around.
Sure,
Rory McIlroy is a
Catholic but according to the latest opinion poll, about 30 percent of
Catholics would vote against a united Ireland if the vote came tomorrow.
So
Rory is one of those 30 percent, middle class
Catholics in the main, who since the peace process has done well in Northern Ireland.
Good luck to them and to
Rory I say. The notion of being both British and Irish has a long history in Ireland.
Look at
Daniel Day Lewis as just one example.
So why should the reverse not be extended to
Catholics who want to be British first as
Rory clearly does?
Here in America we are aware of all kinds of dual identity. Most Americans are something else, whether it is Irish, Italian, Hispanic, or whatever.
Truth is we slice and dice identity at will.
Rory has played under the tricolor at the World Cup of golf so why should he not play under the Union Jack at the Olympics?
The magnificent thing about sport is that it knows no boundaries. I cheered my heart out for Scot Andy Murray because he deserved a grand slam win at the
US Open and he thankfully got one after years of frustration.
It mattered not a whit to me whether he spoke with an Irish, American, or Scottish accent.
It will be the same for most sports followers when
Rory McIlroy tees off in the majors or the Olympics. Sportsmen are not politicians; they should not be even indulging in that arena.
McIlroy is Irish and British and the best in the world – enough said.
39 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Mousemess | Sep 15, 2012, 01:00 PM EDT
ce cuma faoin ngalfaire Ruairi Mac Giolla Ruaidh?
ancavker | Sep 14, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT
If some Irish are upset by Rory's self identification, than some Irish must also ironically realize that they too prefer British over Irish in mnay respects. British media, entertainers, indifference and in many cases outroght hostility to the Irish language, disdain for the music.
DanOLoingsigh | Sep 14, 2012, 04:40 AM EDT
and an Irish mob watched masked gunmen fire a 'salute' over the coffin of an alleged gangster near a church...that was Dublin, Sept 2012...not sure Rory had either image in mind?
warrenpoint00 | Sep 13, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT
The british mob marched around in a circle ouside a catholic church in Belfast Ireland chanting "the famine is over why dont the Irish go home" and up to our knees in feinan blood.All the british politicans were ereily silent. This is Belfast July 2012 do not forget and poor Rory McIllroy and many like him living in Ireland want to identify themselves with this type of british unionism.Im so glad I am an Irishman from Warrenpoint Co Down Ireland
ancavker | Sep 13, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT
Patirck: Agreed he can call himself whatever he wants. But as far as Catholics wanting to stay in the U.K., it is more out of a belief that they are better off in the the U.K. And if better off is defined as a better dole, as the statelet is one big welfare state, than fine but it does not say a lot about the people that feel that way, or the kind of state they live in in my opinion. I guess my whole question is what exactly does he mean by he feels "British". I travel a lot in Britain on business, and find people identify much more with either England, or Scotland ( I have not figure out yet how Wales feels about it). Most people I know over there regard British as what is on their passport. But when asked how they identify it is either English or Scots, and I have found that all across class lines.
Happyhippo | Sep 13, 2012, 08:35 AM EDT
Rory feels more British than Irish, would the fact that his future earnings would be far higher opting for the former have a bearing on his decision,because at the end of the day the bigger the payday the more patriotic you feel.
IrishmanOz | Sep 13, 2012, 03:06 AM EDT
Seanmor's comments: What a load of drivel and Yes there is something wrong with that! 1. Anyone on the island of Ireland can acquire British citizenship if they really want it. 2. "Wee six"! Did you make that up? 3. Southern Ireland does not exist; it's EIRE, Rep. of Ireland or Ireland to you. 4. Since 2001 there are now 29 Counties in Ireland that you obviously know nothing about. 5. Finally and most importantly you should not place the Irish Flag below the "Stars & Stripes"... Your own United State's Flag Code states "When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace". Of course the U.S. is at war with everybody at the moment so maybe it's not really "peace time"! As for McIlroy - Rory is both Irish & British and proud to be both and more power to him. Ireland has been an integral part of British history (and vice versa) for thousands of years and semantics won't change any of that! Scotia was originally a Roman name for Ireland; inhabited by the people they called Scoti or Scotii. Use of the name shifted in the middle Ages to designate the part of the island of Great Britain lying north of the Firth of Forth, the Kingdom of Alba. By the later middle Ages it had become the fixed Latin term for what in English is now called Scotland. So to all you American Scotch Irish out there; your original heritage is Irish. Thankfully you can now drop the Ulster /Scot moniker and reveal your true heritage i.e. Irish or Irish American! By the way it's the Union Flag not the Union Jack. The Union Flag is called a Jack when onboard a ship!
cillowen | Sep 12, 2012, 08:12 PM EDT
England's Gitmo boys Feherty and McIlroy are spot on for American glory and as being both UKer and British and having had the benefits of starting out playing for Ireland is it any wonder they now see themselves as scots and when naturalized as Feherty ravingly is - they'll be Scots-irish, in America. They be pretzel twisted beyond belief but nonetheless become mighty wealthy as scots are wont to become. Who knew the power of splicing and dicing.
norm2012 | Sep 12, 2012, 05:45 PM EDT
here we go again, same topic over and over.......... rory will play for the gold, that's all i'm certain of.
DanOLoingsigh | Sep 12, 2012, 05:35 PM EDT
Brolaur - maybe the same reason you haven't heard of Catholic-American or Quaker-American?
Seanmor | Sep 12, 2012, 04:09 PM EDT
It is entirely up to Rory and any other resident of the "Wee Six" to decde whether he/she wants to represent G.B. or Southern Ireland in the next Olympics - or whether any such Olympian prefers the flag of an overseas country to the Tri-Colour. As for me, A London-born U.S. citizen, I fly the TRI-COLOUR from my garage at a lower level than the Stars & Stripes, the latter representing all of Amerca's 50 states, and the former all of Ireland's 32 counties. My U.S. citizenship aplies to all of the U.S., and my cultural heritage to the whole Irish nation. Is there something wrong with that?
barneyjo | Sep 12, 2012, 03:07 PM EDT
@Tooreenagrena - I know it is said that ignorance is bliss, but really!!! It may interest you to know that as a resident of Northern Ireland, I am entitled to both Irish and British Nationality. As such, should I choose to, I can legally hold both an Irish AND British passport simultaneously!! Actually, the technical term for both documents is "European Standard Community Model Passports". In design and layout they are practically identical; you could not tell them apart from the back. I can also make an application for a new Irish passport, or a renewal through UK Post Offices. And you're quite wrong about Rory McIlroy not being worthy of wrapping the tri-colour around him. When you think of the colours of orange and green at the extremes and the white in the centre, McIlroy is a symbol of unity given that he enjoys support across the board. I am an Irish Nationalist, and both a victim and survivor of our war. I have buried loved ones who were casualties of that brutal war. I have known and sympathised with folk from the other side who have done the same thing. The pain is no different. So no, I think the "Armchair Republicans" will find themselves in the minority on this. I would further express the hope that if the result of the upcoming Ryder Cup competition goes to the wire, that it will be young McIlroy who sinks the winning putt for Europe at the Medinah country club in Illinois!!
Brolaur | Sep 12, 2012, 02:53 PM EDT
Irish American, Italian American etc. Never heard of Jewish American? I wonder why?
Kilsally | Sep 12, 2012, 02:36 PM EDT
Tooreenagrena - sorry to inform you of this but I am Northern Irish first and foremost but am also British & Irish. I am all 3 - indeed my Northern Irish aspect also has an Ulster-Scots/Scots-Irish aspect as my ancestors came from Scotland in the 1600`s plantations.
bostonblakie | Sep 12, 2012, 01:09 PM EDT
In a free country a man gets to chose his identity and should not have to worry about others who may disagree.
cillowen | Sep 12, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT
opportunistic rory of england's gitmo is pathetic and will reap the venom that rightly flows to him and his too numerous ilk. That feherty creepy crawler is another that makes one upchuck.
mccoo1 | Sep 12, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT
Tooreennagrena...Why cant people in N.Ireland be Irish and British??? Let me get this straight you can be Irish American and so on but not an Irish Brit lol, you talk rubbish. Support for N.Ireland remaining part of the UK is at the highest its ever been at the minute amongst Catholics living in N.Ireland. Now that there is no violence people see the benefits of being part of the UK. Open your eyes, people are allowed to call tjemselves Irish and British, stop trying to tell them otberwise.
seanfer7 | Sep 12, 2012, 12:35 PM EDT
Well lets let the people have a vote and see what 30% looks like
Tooreenagrena | Sep 12, 2012, 12:34 PM EDT
BTW Mr Roberts you cannot be irish and British, that is the point.
Tooreenagrena | Sep 12, 2012, 12:30 PM EDT
A better headline. Don’t wrap the green flag around golfer Rory McIlroy BECAUSE HE IS NOT WORTHY OF IT. Imagine this. Mcilroy wins a medal for Britain. He will be standing and saluting the Union Jack and listening to God Save the Queen.
pilib04 | Sep 12, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT
Oops, that should be 2016
pilib04 | Sep 12, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT
Let it be. Rory said he would decide in 1916, that is all there is to it. Everything else is useless speculation.
citizen69 | Sep 12, 2012, 12:02 PM EDT
Here's an idea... How about appreciating Rory McIlroy for his skills as a golfer and his personality instead of his whether he's more British or Irish? Double Paralympic gold medal winner and world's fastest ever paralympian Jason Smyth is from Northern Ireland and competed for Ireland this summer but has said he is neither politically Irish nor British. He could have joined team GB or Ireland but it was Ireland that offered him the funding. He is a great sportsman and just wants to do his best on the track. He has no real interest in political allegiances.
clevelander | Sep 12, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT
Rory has the right to play for who ever he likes. just like I have the right to root against him and ignore any of his sponsors ( witch I, and others, will do ).
Searlit | Sep 12, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT
It's a little bit of comic relief that two posters here have brought two of The Beatles into this debate. I think I'm over it now. Thanks.
Nicoletta | Sep 12, 2012, 10:40 AM EDT
Good article. I have many friends in the north of Ireland, although they love the notion of 'one Ireland, united and fee and a Fenian queen' they are more than happy to remain in the UK - especially since most of them are employed either in the NHS or teaching at Catholic schools, which btw for our American friends are totally free in the UK (like your public schools), including those which are Irish speaking.
turzovka | Sep 12, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT
As long as this world is inhabited by weak and selfish vessels known as humankind, there will be problems, there will be injustices. God is merciful and just, it will all be reconciled in the end. In the meantime, somehow we have to let time heal injustices, be somewhat forgiving of others' faults, and work on our own. I mean, how long do Americans have to keep paying Native Americans for transgressions in the 1600's? How long does the black nation in America have to keep using slavery as the reasons for their underachievements today? 'Tis much easier to blame than forgive. So the British thing is really a sad tale, but to put all this injustice and sorrow upon Rory now is just too much. Regardless where he chooses to play for, let's not deflect all our miseries and failures towards him. That is a convenient diversion.
Waitingis1 | Sep 12, 2012, 10:13 AM EDT
There needs to be a new flag altogether, one everyone can agree on. One that represents the entire country as a whole and everything that makes it unique and wonderful, including the disparity and difficulty between the north and south. Honor it all and move forward.
MichaelMcGrath | Sep 12, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT
John Lennon was proud of being Irish , he thought of himself as Irish and not as English or Welshor anything else - so how does a mere tennis player like McIlroy compare to THAT:-)
hardshoe83 | Sep 12, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT
OMG Rory why? I said this yesterday about the other article on Rory. I'm a Protestant and if I was an athlete I'd never play under the Union Jack. I know people are entitled to their beliefs and preferences, but I just can't accept Rory's preference to play under the Union Jack. Yes I'm a Protestant who supports a united Ireland. How do you like that Rory?
johhnyb | Sep 12, 2012, 09:37 AM EDT
Hi Ray Gordon, You sound like a man who hasn't travelled much. Johnny
DrTrelawney | Sep 12, 2012, 09:31 AM EDT
Groan! He's not playing for England. He's playing for Great Britain. It's really not such a complicated distinction. Moreover, I lived in England for 15 years and not once did I encounter evidence that they despised the Irish. I do, however, encounter endless evidence that Americans of Irish descent hate the English. ("Arrogant, obnoxious") The time for your racist twaddle has passed, Ray.
RichardP | Sep 12, 2012, 09:27 AM EDT
@EmeraldJoe - you are wrong about the Irish Olympic team, it represents the whole of Ireland but athletes from the north have the choice to declare for Ireland or for GB & NI (a tad ironic for nordies that Team GB specifically omits 'Northern Ireland' from their name). On another note (not directed at EmeraldJoe) I am becoming a little angry with all the references to religion here too. Why is a 'Catholic' declaring for GB and why it's ok for a 'Protestant' to do so/ Since when has ones Irish citizenship or background become so inextricably linked to religion other than in the North? There are many non-Catholics in the Republic and they are every bit as Irish as any Catholic but the rag of a publication seems to foster the notion that Irish and Catholicism are synonymous. Quite honestly I'd distance myself from any connection with the Catholic Church after its shameful carry on. The British were quite open in their oppression and made no pretense about their disdain for the Irish in days gone by; the Catholic Church has cloaked its oppression and abuse in a mantle of respectability, Christianity and salvation - self-righteous to the end. I am proud to be Irish but ashamed of the narrow-minded, bigoted people who seen only green and the pope as they way to be Irish.
mixplix | Sep 12, 2012, 09:26 AM EDT
My Grampa was born in County Cork but someone in our family did a family tree and there's nothing but stumps.
GraydonWilson | Sep 12, 2012, 09:25 AM EDT
Let him take the Butcher's Apron.
Ray1Gordon | Sep 12, 2012, 09:24 AM EDT
Rory McIlroy playing for England is a slap in the face to every Irish Catholic that was murdered by England's criminal soldiers and by Protestant Paras financed and armed by England. The arrogant, obnoxious English despise and trash the Irish every chance that they get. McIlroy is making a huge mistake and should be ashamed of himself. Ray Gordon Venice, Florida
EmeraldJoe | Sep 12, 2012, 07:57 AM EDT
Oh, and a couple of other points. Middle-class Catholics were doing well in NI long before the "peace process". The author is right - people from NI are Irish and British. What's the problem?
EmeraldJoe | Sep 12, 2012, 07:55 AM EDT
Guys, the Irish Olympic team, although going under the name "Ireland" actually represents only the Republic of Ireland. Rory is from Northern Ireland, which is represented by the UK team (going under the name "Team GB".
Fightin69th | Sep 12, 2012, 07:36 AM EDT
Paul McCartney will soon be coming out with the hit "Give Rory back to the Irish"