Rors might lose a few fans across the pond after this.....!!!

[Doon frae Troon]

Who knows what will be happening in 2016.

Only two months ago many people on here said McIlroy was already washed up.

Very true Kellfire.
They are probably the same people who think he is the bees knees now...very fickle.

 

[Ethan]

Ok...

I apologise if my use of the word ulster has caused offence or misunderstanding.

When I used the term I meant simply northern Ireland. This is due to my upbringing and the language used in the media etc but my use of the word was careless. I understand how this can cause offence especially to the residents of the counties within ulster that are not part of northern Ireland. I think it was also a mistake to call this nitpicking. It may be nitpicking to me but to others it may not.

My view that I would like northern Ireland to be completely separate from Ireland and the rest of the uk remains because I feel no connection to either but again I apologise for my use of word ulster incorrectly. My aim was neither to cause offence or be intentionally provocative but simply to portray my frustration that a 23 year old sports star is being used like a political football in the media and the situation in general

Fair enough and good of you to say that.

I think the general view was that most people didn't really care whether he went one way or another, and it wouldn't affect our support for him. Most of the political debate was a side issue, but illustrate nicely the heat that remains in these issues. Hopefully that heat is reducing with time and people of Rory's age don't really understand what it is all about.

 

[drutz]

Was born in Dunlaoghaire and have say I cheered Ireland and Team GB on this summer. Wished Andy Murray well in the Olmypics and US Open. I am very glad when any Irish, Northern Irish or British Golfer does well in a major. I will be cheering on Europe in 2 weeks and really couldn't care who Rory represents. I will enjoy watching anyway, even though like a few more I don't think golf is a real Olympic sport the coverage followed by a Ryder Cup in 4 years will do the profile of the sport the power of good.

 

[Curls]

Hopefully that heat is reducing with time and people of Rory's age don't really understand what it is all about.

Wow, have to seriously disagree with you there, people of all ages living in the North are accutely aware and reminded on a daily basis that while there is political peace there is still massive divide and always will be.

Rorys comments don't change anything, he's an amazing golfer who could be an all-time great and if he does lose fans you only have to think about those weeded out and say good-ridance.

 

[brendy]

Wow, have to seriously disagree with you there, people of all ages living in the North are accutely aware and reminded on a daily basis that while there is political peace there is still massive divide and always will be.

As long as parades are an issue then there will be difference, its plain and simple. Parades on both sides are noserubbing exercises at best, coming from a mixed background, Id rather see an end to all parades and marching though, that said, if my numbers ever come up, Im out of here on the first plane.
The stupid thing is that the irish people be it from down south or up north, are the most hospitable and friendly people you are ever likely to rub shoulders with, yet there is that small element of bigotry which totally overshadows this decent bunch of people.

Ethans comments that younger members of the country are not as aware is totally out of touch though (how long are you out of the country now?) Just look at the news for the past week and you will see 12 year olds hurling petrol bombs and rocks at the police, this happens from both backgrounds btw, not just the recent loyalist violence.

Anyway, back to Rory winning trophies, more by the end of the year do you think?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I suspect that most folk in the UK outside of Ireland and Scotland have little perception of the depth of feeling in some (many?) about the issues around what Rory decides to do - though to be honest I have no idea why this has come up now. To those who have not seen or felt the effects of the 'troubles' - and growing up in Glasgow in the 60s and 70s I did - this can seem a bit baffling - and could elicit a 'so what' response. T

hough in the case of Rory - with him having been born and brought up in Northern Ireland it would be a bit of a 'statement' - and a controversial one at that - were he top decide to play for Ireland (I'm assuming he actually qualifies to represent Ireland, and I mean actually rather than emotionally)

 

[Curls]

As long as parades are an issue then there will be difference, its plain and simple. Parades on both sides are noserubbing exercises at best, coming from a mixed background, Id rather see an end to all parades and marching though, that said, if my numbers ever come up, Im out of here on the first plane.
The stupid thing is that the irish people be it from down south or up north, are the most hospitable and friendly people you are ever likely to rub shoulders with, yet there is that small element of bigotry which totally overshadows this decent bunch of people.

Ethans comments that younger members of the country are not as aware is totally out of touch though (how long are you out of the country now?) Just look at the news for the past week and you will see 12 year olds hurling petrol bombs and rocks at the police, this happens from both backgrounds btw, not just the recent loyalist violence.

Anyway, back to Rory winning trophies, more by the end of the year do you think?

As long as I see his hand on the Ryder Cup I'll be one happy Irishman :whoo:

 

[Kellfire]

Just before you get any more smug about declaring Rory's citizenship on his behalf I suggest you read http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=267

with the pertininent line being - "Every person born on the island of Ireland before 1 January, 2005 is entitled to be an Irish citizen."

Are you suggesting I ever said otherwise? Read these quotes from earlier in the thread...

McIlroy is British by birth. He has a choice to claim Irish citizenship should he want. He hasn't exercised that right.

Hopefully, going forward, you won't consider him to be Irish unless he takes up his right to claim Irish citizenship.

I've clearly stated that he has the right to claim Irish citizenship. He hasn't done this as of yet.

 

[Ethan]

As long as parades are an issue then there will be difference, its plain and simple. Parades on both sides are noserubbing exercises at best, coming from a mixed background, Id rather see an end to all parades and marching though, that said, if my numbers ever come up, Im out of here on the first plane.
The stupid thing is that the irish people be it from down south or up north, are the most hospitable and friendly people you are ever likely to rub shoulders with, yet there is that small element of bigotry which totally overshadows this decent bunch of people.

Ethans comments that younger members of the country are not as aware is totally out of touch though (how long are you out of the country now?) Just look at the news for the past week and you will see 12 year olds hurling petrol bombs and rocks at the police, this happens from both backgrounds btw, not just the recent loyalist violence.

Anyway, back to Rory winning trophies, more by the end of the year do you think?

Brendy

Did I say everything is hunky dory? No, but things have clearly improved. The feral youth of Bangor and the bottom of the Antrim Road may be rioting in summer, but elsewhere there are plenty of 12 year olds playing football and doing stuff with the other side that they would never have done a generation ago, and not getting stopped and called a fenian **** by the Army like I did when I was 12. I think there was also a bit of a golf event held recently which would have been unthinkable 25 years ago.

So better, not perfect.

Rory's generation simply has not seen some of the stuff we saw years ago. Fact.

 

[fundy]

Hes recently tweeted this open letter, extremely well written and clear he's going to upset people whatever he decides

https://twitter.com/McIlroyRory/status/245216699652132864/photo/1

 

[MegaSteve]

About four pages of articles on Rory in the Times this Monday just gone... Just got around to reading them as I've been too busy at work where I normally read my paper... If you can find a copy well worth a look...


Sorry, can't do a link as I no longer subscribe to the on-line edition....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And so I hear that Rory has said that he may not put himself forward to play in the next Olympics for fear of upsetting one group (of Irish) or another. Pity.

 

[Ken Fitlike]

It's an irrelevance anyway.

If they'd made it a team event then it might have been interesting, but another 72 hole individual strokeplay - meh.

 

[brendy]

To be honest, I wouldnt play in it either. Too much of a grenade (if you pardon the expression) waiting to go off media wise so not worth it.

 

[Hacker Khan]

It's an irrelevance anyway.

If they'd made it a team event then it might have been interesting, but another 72 hole individual strokeplay - meh.

I agree. There was a chance to make it something different and interesting, but they have bottled it. It will be like mens football at the Olympics where no one is that bothered and you kind of wonder what the point of it being there is.

 

[vkurup]

We are assuming that he will be in top form in 2016 and that GB, Ir or USA would want him to play for them. Sport is too temperamental (and fickle memoried) to predict this.

Another option is that he sits out of the Olympics and let the amateurs play the game in the spirit of the Olympics.

 

[Chopper007]

And so I hear that Rory has said that he may not put himself forward to play in the next Olympics for fear of upsetting one group (of Irish) or another. Pity.

I also heard this. This would be a disaster for Golf at the Olympics. I am Irish and would love to see him play for Ireland, but that is his choice, if he chooses Team GB, so what. It will upset some people what ever decision he makes but that can't be helped. I don't care who he plays for, once he plays, I will still be a fan. Some people think that he owes the Golfing Union of Ireland for helping him with his amatuer career. That's what these organisations are there for.

Padraig Harrington is on record for saying that he hopes Rory goes with GB, it will give more Irish Golfers a chance to represent their country on an International stage. One thing I just want to point out with his nationality, at last years Ryder Cup, when the celebrations started, Rory didn't have the tricolour or the GB flag wrapped around him, he had the Northern Ireland flag around him.

My opinion, he will go with Team GB, thats ok with me, just once he plays....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Personally I wish golf wasn't actually in the Olympics - I guess we are stuck with it. I wonder how many 'regular, serious' (as opposed to occasional) golfers are in agreement witgh golf being in the Olympics. I'm guessing but I'd be surprised if the majority here were for it.

 

[brendy]

Personally I wish golf wasn't actually in the Olympics - I guess we are stuck with it. I wonder how many 'regular, serious' (as opposed to occasional) golfers are in agreement with golf being in the Olympics. I'm guessing but I'd be surprised if the majority here were for it.

I dont see the point of professional golfers playing in it, they all have a chance to represent their countries at the world cup etc.
Perhaps if it was a qualifier from local clubs with each category being represented then I could show more interest.

 

[vkurup]

I am offering my services to any country just for the opportunity to play in the Olympics!! No point lining up for the G8 countries, so happy to consider any UN organised country.... If Jamaica could bob sledge, then I think India can golf too