Golfer Rory McIlroy says he has always felt more British than Irish -- Says “I have always felt more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland”
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 08:08 AM
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| Rory McIlroy at the British Open |
Ever since it was announced that golf will be an official sport in the next Olympics, the discussion about which country McIlroy would represent has been a hot topic. Now he seems to have answered the question.
McIlroy, born Catholic in Northern Ireland, told the Daily Mail at the weekend, “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.”
Catholic athletes in Northern Ireland usually declare for the Republic but McIlroy seems likely to declare for the UK.
McIlroy says he definitely feels more British, ”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.
"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," he said. "But the fact is, I’ve always felt more British than Irish.”
McIlroy solidified his number one world standing with a weekend victory at the BMW championship, his third victory in four weeks.
McIlroy had accepted a MBE from Queen Elizabeth at the end of last year, giving further credence to the belief that he would declare for Britain.
As a Catholic reared in Northern Ireland, McIlroy has come under intense scrutiny for his political views.
His grand-uncle was murdered in The Troubles by Loyalist paramilitaries but McIlroy has never discussed it. The murder was re-opened for investigation last year by the Northern Ireland cold case police authorities.
McIlroy has avoided all political discussion. The only incident of note came when some nationalists claimed he brushed off an Irish tricolor that was thrown at him after his 2011 win at the US Open but the video is inconclusive to say the least.
His compatriot and fellow golf major winner Graeme McDowell, who is a Protestant, gets no such scrutiny as it is widely accepted he will play with Britain.
McIlroy also told the Daily Mail that staying No 1 was his priority and that his girlfriend tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki had shown him how hard it was to stay on top as her career has foundered. He also stated they had no immediate plans to marry.
‘I’ve seen it myself, it’s a very hard thing to stay at No 1 and Caroline was No 1 for two years, with all the expectations that raises,’ said McIlroy. ‘But she has got a lot of good people working around her and she’s the hardest working person I know, so I don’t think there’s any question that she will be back.’ See more: Irish in Golf
67 comments
bobby | Sep 10, 2012, 11:05 PM EDT
AlunPalmer you are right and funny. Im an english guy from London and love the irish, he is a fool if he chooses GB. Im from London and feel more at home in Dublin than Belfast. I went to belfast once and will never return. So much hatred in the place. They can keep it. Independence is the way forward for them.
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AlunPalmer | Sep 10, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT
It shouldn't be surprising, as he has assiduously avoided saying anything. Now I suppose we know why.
It is idiotic to suggest that the UDA are backed by England. Nobody there likes them, although they aren't very fond of the IRA either. It is very odd that a UDA victim, or one of their family, would want to identify with the UK, but I suspect we don't have to look outside sport for the answers. Anyone in NI can basically switch country allegiance in sport at any time, depending on which side looks more advantageous, but not without taking flak from public opinion!
For full disclosure I am English of Irish Catholic descent, but have no connection with the North. My loyalties are divided, but I am only eligible to play for England, albeit with one small problem. Scrabble is not yet an olympic sport!
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bobby | Sep 10, 2012, 09:25 PM EDT
He may see himself as British, but we don't here in London, he is Irish or plastic Brit we call people like him. Irish in Ireland. Another one in denial.
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KerryLKing | Sep 10, 2012, 07:51 PM EDT
Kick the bum out!! misneac post made a very, very good point....Rory took advantage of the golf tuition amateur expenses when he was a "nobody" and now he turns his back on Ireland....shame on you Rory!!! May all your shots wind-up in the sand traps....as you should also!
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TayandCake | Sep 10, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT
Rory who ??
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GregShox | Sep 10, 2012, 07:20 PM EDT
That the best you can manage? Calling something stupid?
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seanomelb | Sep 10, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT
I wonder how his murdered uncle ,murdered by pro British terrorist would feel about his decision. AS Misneac states below all take and no give.BTW Shox he's not as Irish Connolly, De Valera or Cathal Brugha stupid analogies.
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misneac | Sep 10, 2012, 06:43 PM EDT
The usual scenario from all these Northern Irish crowd , take all they can from the Republic and when it dosent suit then try and play for England !
Dont forget that Mc Ilroys golf tuition and considerable amateur expenses were paid for by the Golfing Union of Ireland ,the bulk of the money coming from me and other golfers members of clubs affiliated to the GUI .
As a professional he was happy to win money playing for Ireland (himself ) in the World Cup and Dunhill Cup .
The same applies to the Rugby crowd from Ulster , some years ago the IRFU gave a cap to a B Special terrorist who vandalised Catholic homes by night ,and wore a green "Ireland " jersey in Landsdowne Road by day ! We sure are idiots . I am all for peace and reconciliation ,but it always seems to be going the one direction .
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Robbiepdunn | Sep 10, 2012, 05:27 PM EDT
Its sad to bring politics into sport Robbie
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Pazuzu | Sep 10, 2012, 05:24 PM EDT
Now that Rory McIlroy has declared to all and sundry his undying love and devotion to Britain, maybe we won't have to look at his fu*king ugly face topped with a clownish mop of pubic hair everyday on Irish Central. Just a thought!!
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bunkerhill | Sep 10, 2012, 04:21 PM EDT
It is amazing what a pat on the shoulder from a woman called a "queen" can do to make some people forget their dreadful past. I agree that Rory should move to England as that is the only "important" country in the UK. The rest of the UK is just fooling themselves if they think they matter. Oh! and is Rory an Anglo-Saxon as they are the smart people in England? The "queen" is an Anglo-Saxon, so Rory may not qualify as real English. Good luck to you Rory trying to fit in. At any rate Rory may be old news by the time the olympics roll around.
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galway2001 | Sep 10, 2012, 04:11 PM EDT
Dose't the idiot know that he was born in ireland not in england i hope he'll never be able to enter the olympics
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Ray1Gordon | Sep 10, 2012, 03:03 PM EDT
As an Irish Catholic, McIlroy should be ashamed of himself for even thinking about representing the occupying nation of England, ever. His action is a slap in the face to every Catholic in Northern Ireland who was murdered by English soldiers or by Protestant Paras financed and armed by England.McIlroy thinks that he is above this conflict, but he is mistaken. Until England gets its murdering, thug soldiers out of Northern Ireland, no Irish Catholic should ever recognize England.
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GregShox | Sep 10, 2012, 02:45 PM EDT
Rory McIlroy is as ... Irish as Tony Cascarino, British as Barry McGuigan, Irish as James McClean, British as Tom McFeely, Irish as Wayne McCullough,
British as Brendan Bracken, Irish as Eamon deValera, British as Eoin Morgan, Irish as James Connolly, British as Edward Carson and Irish as Cathal Brugha. Get over it.
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