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
ArmaghCity | Sep 10, 2012, 01:48 PM EDT
His uncle is turning in his grave. Good riddance Rory. I hope you read this.
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Nelsonbarry | Sep 10, 2012, 01:28 PM EDT
Why doesn't he just move to England. Ireland will get along just fine without him.
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Nicoletta | Sep 10, 2012, 01:14 PM EDT
Good for Rory McIlroy. He is in a difficult situation but is showing loyalty to the country which reared him, as in educating, health care (free in the UK) - and also free Catholic education. Many people in the north have a greater allegiance to Great Britain, even if they are Catholic. It does not make them less Irish. Americans just don't or can't understand this.
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turzovka | Sep 10, 2012, 01:04 PM EDT
Maybe Rory is listening to some people very close to him (like family or business associates) that are a strong influence on what he should say about this? Maybe if Rory had more time to think through all facets of life and the impact on others he might make a different decision? This whole matter is so super-charged for any global celebrity from Northern Ireland. I hate to see so many peoples' opinions of someone like Rory be so drastically changed by putting him on the spot. As though whether he declares for Britain or Northern Ireland defines the man's character, or is more consequential than whether he is a good family man or a good Christian. It doesn't.
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hollabackgurl | Sep 10, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT
I imagine his manager will resign this week. This is needless insensitivity.
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WoundedKnee | Sep 10, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT
OldMariner: The Welsh are not Gaelic.
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Tooreenagrena | Sep 10, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
In the context of Northern Ireland and the battle over identity. His truly amazing statement 'I know my decision is going to upset some people' will have to go down as one of the most amazing understatments I haveever heard.
So now that we know he is a Brit we can get on with supporting true irish men and women.
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ProudCanadian | Sep 10, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
Boy it is so sad when you can't be proud of the country that has done a lot for you. Come on Rory, play for Ireland it is your true country. The UK could careless. Irishfree1916 you have put it perfectly. Frankieblow your post was a good one also. Unfortunatly we have a lot of people in Canada who think the same way about the U.S.(lord only knows why)they think that the States are better until they get there and find that the grass isn't as green as they thought. Rory think this out before you do something as stupid as leaving your beloved Ireland.
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Irishphotograph | Sep 10, 2012, 11:48 AM EDT
You will always be a Paddy to the English Rory. You are a disgrace to sell out.
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rapparree | Sep 10, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT
@rachelgaffney, no he was actually born in Ireland, not Britain, it is the uinited kinggdom of great britain AND northern Ireland
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rapparree | Sep 10, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT
graeme mcdowell is actually also a Catholic
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Searlit | Sep 10, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT
Sadness.
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frankieblo | Sep 10, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT
hello, yet another sports person who did not do his geography lessons while at school ! come to think about it he spent most of his school hours mitching class, to ,wether he likes it or not he was born on the island of ireland! so he is irish, he has made a big stupid mistake by quoting that comment and has already lost a lot of irish fans, and in time will come to regret it, as for myself ! if he feels british then he should migrate to mainland britain, hes welcome to it! good riddance rory or should i spell that in irish? regards f.dutton andersonstown west belfast, co.antrim ireland
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OldMariner | Sep 10, 2012, 11:18 AM EDT
ancavker, if I may answer your rhetorical question below about the Welsh. I worked with the Brits in Hong Kong some years ago and I found the Welsh, along with the Scots, have strong ethnic (Gaelic) pride. The annual St David's Day was a large affair amongst the Welsh in HOng Kong.
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