Rory says he feels more connection with UK than Ireland

[TN94z]

In a recent interview, Rory talks about how he feels more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland.

Quote:

‘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.

‘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.

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.’

This is the first time McIlroy has unequivocally declared an affinity for the UK over  Ireland and it will certainly go down like a lead balloon in some quarters.

So with the 2016 Olympics coming up, it sounds like there will be some very disgruntled Ireland fans.

How would you feel if you were Irish and all of the sudden the top Irish golfer at the moment declares that he feels more British and will more than likely represent the UK in the Olympics?

[Wansteadimp]

This interview was for the most Nationlistic (in a bad way) paper in the UK - the one that supported Hitler before the war.

They are stirring the pot trying to get hits/readers off the back of the age old sectarian story.

Basically in the Olympics Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In Golf Northern Ireland is part of Ireland.

People born in Northern Ireland have the right to either a UK passport or Irish passport or both.

He has a decision to make which is going to be unpopular.

The timing of this interview and its source is just trouble making.

[jamo]

From Rory's Twitter:

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by jamo

From Rory's Twitter:

In a few years he'll surely have "winning the FedEx Cup" (which he could accomplish next week) listed ahead of more major championships and the Ryder Cup.

[joekelly]

I read this Twitter by Rory,  as reposted in the Irish Times, regarding his participation in the next Oly games and his loyalty to UK or Ireland. I found his entire statement remarkably mature, civil and reasoned.  He sees himself a product of many advantages  but also carrying substantial responsibilities as a role model for youth.  Enjoy the ride, Rory.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/golf/2012/0910/1224323820435.html

[jamo]

(Merged a few threads.)

[Golf Man]

Just to clarify a couple of things for people who may not know the ins and outs

- McIlroy comes from a generation where people were not nearly as affected by the Troubles - particularly where he grew up. Luckily for him, his parents kept him sheltered from what was going on

- He is entitled to be a British or Irish citizen (under Good Friday agreement) - my understaning is that he has always travelled using a British passport - that said he wouldn't have been entitled to an Irish one when he was born, his parents wopuld have had British ones etc

- Golf in Ireland is an all-island affair

- Golf in Great Britain is done country by country (Wales, Scotland, England)

- There is no Northern Ireland golfing organisation - closest you'll get is Ulster - which is 2/3 in Northern Ireland and 1/3 in Ireland

- McIlroy came through the Irish amateur golfing system and has represented Ireland at teh World Cup, and I would say would very much consider himself Northern Irish (rather than British or Irish) - however they don't have a team

- Just to confuse things a little bit more Northern Ireland actually isn't in Britain, and the Republic of Ireland doesn't exist

- He can pick whoever he wants, some people expect him to pick Ireland, because he was brought up a Catholic

- What we could well see is McDowell, a protestant, playing for Ireland (I'm pretty sure that he would choose to do so) and McIlroy, a Catholic, choose to represent Britain

- I hope he doesn't bother playing in it (no way golf should even be in the Olympics) - there are and always will be extremists on both sides of the debate - look into Neil Lennon - current Celtic Manager and former captain if you want an idea of teh kind of reaction he may get from a tiny tiny minority.

[malincanada]

Originally Posted by joekelly

I read this Twitter by Rory,  as reposted in the Irish Times, regarding his participation in the next Oly games and his loyalty to UK or Ireland. I found his entire statement remarkably mature, civil and reasoned.  He sees himself a product of many advantages  but also carrying substantial responsibilities as a role model for youth.  Enjoy the ride, Rory.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/golf/2012/0910/1224323820435.html

Couldn't agree more. Top work Rory and Rory's management team.

And I'm not throwing in the 'management team' part to try and belittle it. I'm sure this is a fair reflection of how Rory feels. But I'm also sure that this went through a couple of drafts so that they hit just the right note.

Part of being mature is realising that there are some things you are brilliant at (like golf) and there are some things that other people (like PR people) are good at so letting them help you with it is a very good idea.