67 Comments

• IrishmanOz | Sep 14, 2012, 01:33 AM EDT

  This story is made up drivel from the anti Irish rag the Daily Mail in England. The Daily Mail has a long history of anti Irish slurs, propaganda, outright lies and slander. The Mail should disappear up its own arse like the NOTW..

• DanOLoingsigh | Sep 13, 2012, 01:54 PM EDT

  Seano...still haven't answered how the tribal or religious affiliation of a group of killers would change things?

• seanomelb | Sep 12, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT

  Well Dano if you don't understand the written word tough go chew yor bottom lip crybaby

• maryosullivan | Sep 12, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT

  " Ruadhri Mc " tip him off this is Gaelic. Who know what harm it will do to his delicate psyche if he finds out he has a Gaelic name

• IrelandNorth | Sep 12, 2012, 08:46 AM EDT

  RachelGaffney! There's no such thing as an English passport, even if there should (and probably will) be come 2014. Rúadhrí Mc was born and raised in Northern[ised] Ireland (NI), an inconvenient truth of which is part of the Island of Ireland - which is due west of the island of Great Britian (GB). Pay attention to the next weather forecast you watch on either Irish (RTE/Net2/TV3/TG4/UTV) - or British (ITN/BBC1-2/Chan4/Sky) TV stations. Whether Iri$h or Briti$h/Catholic or Prote$tant/Briti$h unioni$t or Iri$h nationali$t/r€publican of £oyali$t - it's all the same difference to his Ul$ter bank account.

• IrelandNorth | Sep 12, 2012, 08:14 AM EDT

  "... his girlfriend ... has shown him how hard it was to stay on top ..." Hmmm! Demanding girl. "Raises expectation"? (Geeze, will you guys read yer Freud!) How does it 'feel' to be British or Irish. Is there an discernable Galvanic Skin Response? Sadly, young Rúadhrí is in a no win situation. Between a rock and a hard place, as the Americans would say. Between the divil and da deep blue sea, as the rural Irish would say. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He should play for Team USA, a country which both traditions on the Island of Ireland identify with, despite the occasional jealousy-based criticism from some posters for ulterior motives.

• DanOLoingsigh | Sep 12, 2012, 03:18 AM EDT

  Here's some news Sean...dead people can't think anymore...whereas you keep wanting to tell us how they should think...it doesn't get more meaningless...

• seanomelb | Sep 11, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT

  I asked what the uncle would think Dano not what Ruairi thinks. Now who has the twisted logic. You're a fool Dan why embarrass yourself with meaningless posts. All you do is project spite.

• cillowen | Sep 11, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT

  the fence straddling by RC wiz can be solved by utilizing the feherty (emphasizer on Scots) naturalized american approach. That's what one gets with settling to please an occupier. The dysfuntion that ensues by such nation slicing and dicing leaves its patient severly sick. Anything of benefit accrues to benefit England - achievements of the others in the club goes to benefit the mother. Hear it all the time, of credit going to the Lion tamer.

• ancavker | Sep 11, 2012, 09:25 AM EDT

  Old Mariner: I know the Welsh have a Celtic background coming from the Brythonic (pardon the spelling) branch of the tree.Just commenting that I find them (and I am speaking in generalities here), them to be a fairly sad bunch, with little to no enthuasism for any thing.

• ancavker | Sep 11, 2012, 09:21 AM EDT

  Nicoletta: Being loyal to a country because they have good dole benefits is pretty sad and pathetic.

• jetsnoone | Sep 11, 2012, 03:52 AM EDT

  give the kid a break, if he comes out strong Irish the prot. militants would harm him.

• DanOLoingsigh | Sep 11, 2012, 03:39 AM EDT

  By Seano’s twisted logic, if Rory’s uncle had been an unfortunate victim of Omagh, Enniskillen or any of the other ‘Republican’ outrages, he would have been ‘OK’ with his decision to embrace his NI identity?

• seanomelb | Sep 11, 2012, 12:36 AM EDT

  BTW Alun english people may not back the UDA but the BA and MI6 certainly availed of their services to do their dirty work.

• seanomelb | Sep 11, 2012, 12:32 AM EDT

  reg your comparisons failed to make your point,you may as well compare Sands to Thatcher.

• angrypaddy | Sep 11, 2012, 12:22 AM EDT

  OH !!! SHOCK !!! HORROR !!! All the west Brits he has betrayed lol That will teach you ya bunch of spineless ba@#$@#s I told you so nothing good comes out of playing soccer,rugby golf ot tennis lol,lol

• 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.

• 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!

• 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.

• 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!

• TayandCake | Sep 10, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT

  Rory who ??

• GregShox | Sep 10, 2012, 07:20 PM EDT

  That the best you can manage? Calling something stupid?

• 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.

• 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 .

• Robbiepdunn | Sep 10, 2012, 05:27 PM EDT

  Its sad to bring politics into sport Robbie

• 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!!

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• bensi21 | Sep 10, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT

  To put it in a simple way he is a traitor of Ireland. If he feels more british, take your things and get out of Ireland. Whoever does not love his country, not love itself. That's who you are.

• ArmaghCity | Sep 10, 2012, 01:48 PM EDT

  His uncle is turning in his grave. Good riddance Rory. I hope you read this.

• Nelsonbarry | Sep 10, 2012, 01:28 PM EDT

  Why doesn't he just move to England. Ireland will get along just fine without him.

• 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.

• 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.

• hollabackgurl | Sep 10, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT

  I imagine his manager will resign this week. This is needless insensitivity.

• WoundedKnee | Sep 10, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT

  OldMariner: The Welsh are not Gaelic.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• rapparree | Sep 10, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT

  graeme mcdowell is actually also a Catholic

• Searlit | Sep 10, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT

  Sadness.

• 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

• 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.

• GladToBeGone | Sep 10, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT

  Good for you Rory! You were raised in the UK and your loyalty is to be admired.

• yorkville | Sep 10, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT

  I,m from Northern Ireland and very disappointed, he is born and raised in IRELAND. Ah well his loss...good luck to him either way.

• fiddlinvet | Sep 10, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

  They can keep him.

• irishfree1916 | Sep 10, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT

  ??????, what is he thinking? When he no longer on top and the island of Ireland is one Nation once again, do you think the English will have any use for him?

• jerrydonovan | Sep 10, 2012, 10:52 AM EDT

  I cannot understand how he could feel more British than Irish.He grew up in the north of Ireland,clearly spent little or no time elsewhere,by his own admission has always played under the golfing union of Ireland.That he has opted to travel under a British passport is in my opinion just a vehicle of convenience.I too traveled using a British passport which I continued to use until I obtained my U.S.citizenship.Some of my children have both Irish and U.S.passports although all were born in the U.S.Maybe it is a perception in his mind of a social status thing or as was suggested perhaps he can earn more money.As for McDowell I wouldn't take it to the bank that he would elect to represent G.B.

• roryobrien | Sep 10, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

  Someone mentioned money and even Padraig Harrington suggested recently it might not be a bad idea for mcIlroy to declare for GB because it would open the door to another Irish golfer in the next Olympics. Fair enough, but his declaration is just crass,coming as it does from someone who is so markedly Irish in appearance (Black Irish) and accent. A greater sportstman than McIlroy will ever be, George Best ( whom I had the pleasure to meet) never considered himself anything but Irish ( albeit not the tricolour-waving irredentist kind . Mcilroy could have boxed clever on this one, instead he's just pathetic. And by the way, the only people entitled to call themselves British are in fact the Welsh,as every dog in the street knows.

• Katecait | Sep 10, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT

  Ah, well. . . we can't ALL be Irish, can we.

• pilib04 | Sep 10, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT

  Rory has said that he has a difficult decision to make. When the time comes in 1916 he will make that decision. I respect him as a golfer. It was not Rory who partitioned Ireland. It was not Rory who signed the Treaty. Northern Ireland's population has nothing to explain to those who betrayed it.

• ancavker | Sep 10, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT

  At the end of the day, he can do what he wants. But it is ironic that he feels more British, but the English feel more English than British, and the Scots for sure feel more Scottish, we are not sure what the Welsh feel. Do they even feel?

• willieric | Sep 10, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT

  weemac and gmac would almost certainly prefer to play for a northern ireland team if there were one, especially as golf, like tennis,does not depend upon massive and expensive subsidy and back-up. Both were lucky enough to be educated in ulster grammar schools, which are traditionally made up of 35 per cent pupils of catholic backgrounds. Which might or might not partly explain the sincere and neutral stance frequently displayed by both men during countless probing interviews. If Laochra took time to consider it, the stance of McClean, Gibson etc.,re the northern ireland soccer team is the more reprehensible, as there IS a northern ireland and both were born in northern ireland. And what of Morgan, etc.,.and the england cricket team? By the way, would the bigots deny rory's caddy JP access to his boss' Olympic bag?

• hardshoe83 | Sep 10, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT

  Okay this is weird. I have to say I'm a Protestant and I don't like the idea of him wanting to play for Britain. I don't support loyalism either. What's the matter with Rory McIlroy? He doesn't make sense. He needs some sense talked into him.

• hermitTalker | Sep 10, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT

  His lower-class fellow citizens in the UK would have been upset if he chose to claim UK- not GB that is for sure fake. If he had they would have his parish church as a place to bang their drums and show how proud they are to be British and throw missiles at the PSNI to show their respect for law and order, Maybe even shoot golf balls through the church windows to show who their god is

• butlerreport | Sep 10, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT

  Of course he's British.

• judiron | Sep 10, 2012, 10:09 AM EDT

  I will no longer yell for him if he isn't going to be Irish.

• CitizenWhy | Sep 10, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT

  His thoughts echo the sentiments of many middle class people from the northern Ireland Catholic community (many of whom do not practice but also do not become Protestants). If there were an election about staying with the UK or going with Irealdn do not be too sure that the Catholic community would vote to leave the UK. On the whole the Catholic community in NI is more prosperous than the Protestant community, having taken full advantage of the British university system. Of course there are exceptions.

• Laochra | Sep 10, 2012, 09:50 AM EDT

  He may feel a greater connection to the UK but he grew up in Ireland, just like McDowell. Religion should have nothing to do with it. You don't see Aussie or Canadian golfers playing for the UK. It's all about money. He'll make a hell of a lot more money in th UK than in Ireland. That's the reality of it and it's shameful considering he was reared in Ireland. The very same applies to McDowell.

• KilkennyCats | Sep 10, 2012, 09:48 AM EDT

  It is his choice. Just as it is my choice to never support him.

• turzovka | Sep 10, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT

  Rory did not start this conflict, nor does he want it to continue. The less directed at him, the better. Personally, I just hope he is a good Christian, more than just a great golfer.

• carrickcourt | Sep 10, 2012, 09:32 AM EDT

  No surprise this "big" news. How about some real news?

• Rachelgaffney | Sep 10, 2012, 09:28 AM EDT

  Of course...he was born and raised in Britain after all not Ireland! He has an English passport... Happy for him

• michaelcollins | Sep 10, 2012, 09:28 AM EDT

  ah woundedkee me aul gay black jew friend how are things?

• WoundedKnee | Sep 10, 2012, 08:35 AM EDT

  This young man is perfectly entitled to embrace any nationality or culture he pleases. As far as I am concerned it would not change my opinion of him (I really don't have one, since I take little interest in overpaid sportsmen) if he aspired to be Botswanan or Burundi. The ones that I despise are the Oirish who have for years been claiming him as one of their own. Some idiot even stuffed an Irish Tricolor into his hands after a tournament--McIlroy politely told him where to go. That fool dishonored the Irish flag, by using it as some totem, just like the Oirish drunks who inscribe the name of their pub on the Irish flag when they go to soccer games. McIlroy isn't Irish, or Oirish. Get over it.