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McIlroy Ready For Triple Header

Rory McIlroy will begin the first of a triple-header on Thursday afternoon when he tees off for the first round of the 2021 Irish Open.

He had hoped to bring his family to Kilkenny with him but strict travel restrictions made this tough and impractical with the golfer instead opting to go alone and play in the Scottish Open next week.

This will be followed by the Open Championship in two weeks time, giving the golfer a run of three tournaments in three weeks.

“I just felt like it wasn’t fair to put them through what they would have to go through to be here with me, so plans changed very quickly,” said McIlroy.

The 32-year-old has never played at Mount Juliet before but is enjoying his time there.

He did go to the course as a child to watch the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 and has fond memories of his time there.

He was on the 18th green for the prize ceremony when Tiger Woods won the tournament in 2002 and even managed to close to the American golfing icon.

“His glove was still in the back pocket and I could have reached and got it and ran – it would have been a great story to tell him.”

Working with coach Pete Cowen has got Rory back into his stride at times and he is eyeing up silverware for the second half of the 2021 season.

His win at Quail Hollow last month is a positive sign that their work is coming together nicely.

After getting himself into contention at the US Open, he wants to chase another major with the Open only two weeks away.

McIlroy also cited the FedEx Cup, the Race to Dubai and the Ryder Cup as challenges he wants to tackle.

The current number 10 in the world feels confident after his promising Torrey Pines performance.

“I went out at Torrey on Sunday at least with a plan….previously over the last couple of years it has been more of a wishful, hopeful sort of thing.”

However, he is still looking forward to the Irish Open and many are confident that he will get the win on Sunday.

McIlroy noted similarities between the course designed by Jack Nicklaus and the course at the K Club, where he won in 2016.

Parkland courses are something McIlroy plays often overseas on the PGA Tour.

Following in the footsteps of his hero Tiger Woods and join the list of Major winners with a victory at Mount Juliet is something that McIlroy wants to do.

“I hope to continue that trend for sure.”

Irish Open tee times for Irish players and TV details are available here.

Declan Rice Turns Down Two West Ham Contract Offers

England Midfielder Declan Rice has turned down two West Ham contract offers putting Chelsea and Man United on high alert.

Rice is adamant in rejecting any further attempts from West Ham to sign a new deal to stay at the Hammers, with his hope of either Chelsea or Man United placing a bid for him.

West Ham has reportedly offered Rice a bumper pay wise, but the salary offered is much less than he could potentially earn elsewhere.

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has named Rice his prefered midfield option this summer, alongside Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni.

United are big admirers of Rice, who are looking for a suitable central-defensive midfielder, and could offer Jesse Lingard as part of the deal after his successful loan spell last season contributing to nine goals and five assists.

The Hammers have put a price tag of £100 million on Rice, who still has 3 years left on his own current contract with the option for a further year.

The midfielder is keen on listing to any new bids and wants to be informed of any offers for him if they come in during this summers transfer window.

The England international, who is currently a starter for Gareth Southgate’s side at the European Championship, with his performance against Germany in England’s 2-0 Round of 16 victory on Tuesday being a standout.

Team-mate Mason Mount is Rice’s closest friend from their time together at Chelsea’s Academy and has gone on record of wanting to play with the Chelsea Champions League winner in the future.

Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was a huge fan of the West Ham captain, and prior to his sacking recommended Rice to the Blues last summer in Chelsea’s massive overhaul of players.

 

 

Pádraig Harrington: “The First Priority Is The Ryder Cup.”

Pádraig Harrington is ready to tee-off on the first round of the Irish Open on Thursday but his long-term plans are bigger.

The Open is on the 49-year-old’s mind but so is the Ryder Cup, which gets closer and closer every week.

The Ryder Cup captain announced his third and fourth vice-captain choices last week with Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer earning the same honour as Robert Karlsson and Luke Donald.

“The first priority is the Ryder Cup,” said Harrington.

Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter have been two golfers that the three-time major champion has praised publicly.

Harrington feels that their Ryder Cup records mean that they should be held in high regard when it is time to select his team.

He also named Martin Kaymer as another example of a player with an impressive history as a Ryder Cup golfer.

However, the captain also understands that the future is coming fast with recent wins from Jon Rahm and Viktor Novland solidifying the need to take note of the younger golfers too.

But the best possible way of impressing Harrington, regardless of age, is with your performances.

“Wherever [players] play, I want to see them play well…the best possible way of impressing me is playing good golf.”

As for the more immediate events on his planner – the Irish Open and The Open Championship – the golfer is confident and working on his mental game, which he said is a good sign.

He credited Mount Juliet as a great golf course with great greens and hopes to be very stressed when he’s on the back nine on Sunday.

The 2007 Irish Open winner does expect a great weekend in Kilkenny with a limited amount of fans present to see the golfers play.

“I think all the players will appreciate the limited fans.”

The Open begins two weeks from now and is something Harrington has his eye on after his impressive performance at the PGA Championship, where he was tied for fourth with Shane Lowry.

He felt that the conditions in South Carolina helped him to perform well, likening it to a links course which is what the Royal St George course is.

Given the right scenario, Harrington feels he could impress at Sandwich as he is used to links courses.

“Given the right conditions and the right golf course, I can be very competitive with the game I have.”

The idea of winning a major again is what gets the World number 155 up in the morning, adding that it gives him a unique buzz compared to the thought of winning non-major tournaments.

However, that does not mean the veteran golfer can not get excited for the other tournaments.

Harrington noted that Jack Nicklaus noticed he was at the tail-end of his career when he lost that feeling of excitement before every tournament, and that he still has that feeling.

This week is exciting for him but feels different to many others as he prepares to begin the quest for the title, as others have agreed with him on.

“We do feel like it’s special this week.”

Irish Open tee times and TV details are available here.

“It’s a tournament that obviously means a lot to me” says Shane Lowry

Open Champion Shane Lowry is among the group of Irish golfers playing in front of spectators at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. He is being joined by four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, Ryder Cup Captain Pádraig Harrington and former U.S Open Champion Graeme McDowell, among others.

“It’s nice being back home,” the County Offaly Open champion said. “No matter where you go in the world it’s always nice to be home. Got home last week and got to see some family and friends at the weekend.

“Obviously coming here to play the Irish Open is exciting. It’s a tournament that obviously means a lot to me. And not that I owe a lot to it, but it kick-started my whole career with that invite I got here and winning it. It is nice to be here and it’s nice to have some good weather down here in Kilkenny, and, hopefully that stays for the rest of the week and we can all have a good week.”

Lowry’s career took off unexpectedly in 2009 when he won the Irish Open at County Louth Golf Club as an amateur.

He claimed his maiden Major title two years ago in front of his jubilant home fans in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The 34-year-old is happy to be back playing in front of Irish fans after this week’s event was chosen by the Irish government as one of the first pilot initiatives for extended capacity at outdoor sporting events.

Ryder Cup Captain Harrington

This week’s event also marks a special occasion for Harrington, who will play in front of the Irish crowds for the last time before he leads Team Europe as Captain at The Ryder Cup in September, and he is joined in the field by his recently-announced Vice Captains McDowell and Martin Kaymer.

Commenting on the current state of his game the Dubliner offered:

“I see some nice form. I’m always working away at things and trying to get my game in shape. At the moment I’m working more on my mental game. That’s a good sign. That’s normally when you get the better results. Somewhat focused on The Open in two weeks’ time, but that kind of helps because this week, it’s all about getting things right. You can’t just turn up and it’s not like a light switch where you just turn it on and off. It takes a bit of time.

“But I saw some good green shots last week, and it’s following on this week so far and hopefully I’ll keep doing it and play my game, do my stuff and hopefully Sunday with a few holes to go, I have a chance and enjoy those feelings of being stressed out under pressure for the last couple of holes.

“It’s great to be back here”

Graeme McDowell spoke of his delight at being back on an Irish golf course:

“Listen, any time you’re not playing an Irish Open, something’s going on, and obviously it’s been a crazy 15 months for everyone. It’s great to be back here at Mount Juliet. Dubai Duty Free continue to support us, and having people watching us will be great. Golf course is in fantastic condition.”

The Ulsterman expressed his delight with the layout of the course, stating:

“I think it’s a course that sets up pretty well for me, as well. You have to hit the fairways and keep the ball in play off the tee. You have a lot of short irons in your hand and perfect greens. It’s going to be a low-scoring affair and definitely got to come out of the gates hot tomorrow hopefully. I’m excited to be back, and looking forward to a good week.”

The first round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Thursday will be live on RTÉ Sport.

The tee-off times for round one can be accessed here.

Former winners Rory McIlroy and John Catlin among Dubai Duty Free Irish Open field

Rory McIlroy is relishing the opportunity to play in front of his home fans for the first time in two years as the four-time Major winner tees it up in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate this week.

“It’s looking fabulous,” admitted McIlroy, “Wonderful weather. Great golf course. It’s great. I’ve never played here before. I’ve been here to watch when the World Golf Championships were here in 2002 and 2004; we came down to watch, but a little different playing it. And, yeah, obviously the vantage point is a little different, as well.”

Previous Irish Open host

For four consecutive seasons from 2015, the Irishman put his name to his home open as the tournament host and was credited with helping revive the event’s fortunes to reclaim its status as one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures on the Irish sporting calendar.

The 32-year-old, who claimed the famous trophy in 2016, is relishing the opportunity to be welcomed home by the Irish spectators at the sold-out event – which is one of a select number of pilot test events as crowds return to live sport in Ireland.

McIlroy, whose last appearance on home soil came at The 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, will play alongside his fellow 2018 Ryder Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood and John Catlin – who defends his title having added his name to the prestigious list of winners at Galgorm Castle Golf Club last September.

McIlroy “encouraged” by recent performance

Speaking about his recent US Open performance the US-based Irish golfer said:

“I was very encouraged walking away from Torrey Pines, to have a share of the lead on the final day through a few holes. I gave myself a good chance. Looking back, the one thing that I kicked myself about, it wasn’t the double on 12, you’re going to get some bad breaks and I got a bad break but it was the three-putt on 11 that stopped the momentum.

“I made a really good putt for par on ten and then probably hit my best shot of the day into 11. Great 5-iron into the middle of the green. And then, you know, that three-putt was just pretty sloppy, and that killed the momentum to go on from there. But I thought the week was a real positive on whole and I’m looking forward to these next three weeks.”

John Gatlin set to defend title

Last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open winner John Catlin is relishing the chance to defend his title:

“I’m very excited to defend, this is my first opportunity to defend my win,” the American said. “Even on the Asian Tour I didn’t have an opportunity to defend any of my wins so I’m really excited, a lot of the memories from last year coming back – different golf course but I’m definitely drawing on some of those shots I hit down the stretch and the confidence that gives me.

Commenting on his own game right night, Catlin stated:

“The game is pretty good. I’ve been putting in some good work when I was at home, with Noah my coach, just tightening some things up. I’m always trying to get a little better that I was before and I feel like I was close last week, I just couldn’t quite figure out the greens. I’m missing too many short putts and I missed the cut by a couple but that happens to everybody and I’m looking forward to this week.”

Round One tee-off times here.

Graeme McDowell: “I’m Not Ready To Walk Away”

Graeme McDowell believes he still has more to give the sport of golf after his slump in form over the past year.

His recent form, which consists of numerous cuts and off-the-pace performances mostly, has been the story of the last 12 months for McDowell.

The Northern Irish felt that he was flying high before the season was brought to a halt due to the pandemic.

“The dream of playing a Ryder Cup was starting to be real…I got back on the golf course and things went sideways,” said McDowell.

Adjectives like scrambling, searching and looking were used to describe his mentality when the run of bad form kept going after his return.

Work with a new coach did not turn things around and the Portrush golfer has had some dark days thinking about his career in recent times.

But he is “not ready to walk away” and wants to improve before he does but he has been his own worst enemy at times.

“The mental side of the game is not there [personally] – my confidence is low; my expectations are high.”

McDowell understands that he should not ask himself to change the way he plays golf in order to find results but instead rely on the basics.

He noted that while his numbers have been disappointing, the 2010 US Open winner believes he is closer than it appears to put things right.

“It’s not how I want the next 2-5 years to end.”

The number 167 ranked golfer in the world thinks that the Ryder Cup vice-captaincy has come at a good time.

Being around a Ryder Cup could be something that helps the once World no.4 to get back on his feet.

McDowell said that it is the kind of stuff he needs right now to help him regain his confidence on the course.

“There’s obviously no reason why I can’t do it again.”

Click here to view tee-times, betting and broadcasting details for the Irish Open.

Lowry Honoured To Go To Olympics

Shane Lowry has said that he is honoured to be going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games to represent Team Ireland in golf ahead of the Irish Open.

The Irishman will pair up with Rory McIlroy for the tournament as the duo will aim to win the first medal in golf for Ireland at the Olympics.

Lowry noted that it felt good seeing what the Olympics meant to those who chose him and hopes to do the country proud when he plays at the Kasumigaseki Country Club next month.

“I think it’s just pretty cool that I’m going,” said the one-time major winner.

The 2019 Open Champion is going over there searching for success and not for the experience alone, adding that he wants a medal.

Lowry ruled himself out of contention for the first-ever golfing tournament at the Rio Olympics in 2016 due to the outbreak of the Zika virus at the time.

At that time, he was recently newlywed to his wife Wendy and they were planning to have a family.

Based on that, he was advised not to travel to Rio to take part in the Olympic games and instead put his family’s welfare first.

Five years later, a year longer than expected, he will represent his country at the Olympics, something he described in his statement from June 2016 as an honour that would bring him “a huge source of pride.”

The Ryder Cup is another tournament that is also in the sights of the Irish golfer.

Lowry feels he is on course to be chosen by Pádraig Harrington to represent Europe in their defence of the trophy at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

His ability to stay in Ireland ahead of the upcoming Open Championship and subsequently his appearance at the Open will help his case as Whistling Straits is a links course, much like many courses in Ireland and Britain.

Lowry believes he only needs to replicate the form he has been in over the last year to be picked.

“I’ve put myself pretty close to the team. I think some good golf over the next couple of months will do that.”

Tee times and broadcast details for the 2021 Irish Open are available here.

Lowry Looking Forward To Irish Open

Shane Lowry said that it feels good to be home ahead of the Irish Open on Thursday.

The No.18 ranked golfer in the world is among a handful of former Irish Open champions teeing off at Mount Juliet.

Lowry noted that the tournament is something he always looks forward to and one that has a special place in his heart.

“[The Irish Open] obviously means a lot to me…it kickstarted my whole career with that invite I got and winning it,” said Lowry.

Lowry’s 2009 win at the County Louth Golf Club got his career going as the then-amateur beat Robert Rock in a playoff to take home the title.

Four days later, the Offaly golfer turned professional.

The 34-year-old has played at Mount Juliet a few times in the past, having grown up an hour and a half from the course in Clara.

He is an admirer of the course, noting that the 18-holes are in great shape ahead of the first day of the tournament.

“It doesn’t feel like the actual bubble this week because the surroundings are so nice.”

The Irishman did not practice a lot before getting to Mount Juliet but added that he feels good after the Pro-Am.

The Clara native is focused on having a good weekend and building his confidence after a torrid time at Torrey Pines where he finished on 13-over-par.

Lowry will be one of the first of the Irish golfers to tee-off with an 8:00 am tee time tomorrow alongside 2021 Scandinavian Mixed winner Jonathan Caldwell.

“I’ve huge admiration for Johnny Caldwell…. Johnny’s story is actually as big as anything in Irish sport.”

The 2019 Open winner praised Caldwell for working his way back into the spotlight and winning after losing his European Tour Card in 2009.

Lowry also suggested that the Irish Open take place after the Open Championship in order to grow the tournament’s player base.

However, his focus this weekend lies on his own game and he is aiming for a strong tournament to bounce back ahead of the Open.

“At the start of the year, you are looking at the tournaments that you want to win, and this is definitely up there with them.”

Click here to see all Irish players’ tee-off times for tomorrow’s first round.

Ireland U20 Team Announced For Triple Crown Showdown

The Ireland under-20’s team has been announced ahead of their match against England in Cardiff, with a triple crown at stake.

Props Temi Lasisi and Sam Illo return to the starting lineup as the side continue to manage their resources carefully.

Hooker Ronan Loughnane will start for the third game in a row, one of eight to do so.

Alex Soroka and Harry Sheridan remain the second-row partnership for the side with an unchanged back row also.

The backline also remains identical after stellar performances against Wales from players like scrum-half Nathan Doak.

Cathal Forde and Shane Jennings start at 12 and 13 once again after impressive outings against Scotland and Wales.

Jamie Osborne and Ben Moxham join them to maintain their 100% starting percentage while Chris Cosgrave joins them in the back three for the second game in a row.

Last week’s starting props Jack Boyle and Mark Donnelly will be sat on the bench at kick-off alongside try-scorer Daniel Okeke and others.

Thursday night’s game will kick off at 8 pm in Cardiff Arms Park and will be shown live on RTÉ News Now and RTÉ Player

Ireland U20 Side v England

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St. Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

1. Temi Lasisi (CBS Enniscorthy/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain)

Replacements:

16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin/An Ghaeltacht/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. Jack Boyle (St. Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
18. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen FC/Munster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Jack Kelleher (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ardscoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Chay Mullins (SGC Filton/Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby).

European Baseball: Ireland ease past Finland in opening game

Ireland won comfortably in their first game of the European Baseball qualification against Finland.

The Irish are in a group with Hungary, Slovakia, and Finland taking place in Bratislava, Slovakia. Only one team from the group with qualify for the European Baseball Championships

Franks Andrew’s team are confident about the competition ahead with Leo Farrell named as team captain.

Ireland (6) v Finland (1), Bratislava

The game began slowly with both team’s batters failing to cleanly strike a ball in the first inning.

In the second inning Ireland eased their nerves, pitcher Callum Smithers was crucial as Finland struggled to deal with his left-handed throws.

Patrick Mitchell made the first single of the game and after some mistakes by the Finnish pitcher, Ireland had all three bases loaded. Unfortunately, Leo Farrell struck out and Finland left the inning unscathed.

The great pitching continued as all the Finnish batters struck out at the top of the third.

A good high strike by short stop, Brian McAuliffe, left Ireland in a good position but again they couldn’t capitalize.

Into the bottom of the fourth inning and the game came to life. With JP Dolan and Mitchell already on bases, Fionn Gallahar Hal sends the ball over the head of the center for a great triple.

After a Farrell hit, Gallahar Hal makes it home to put Ireland ahead 3-0 after the fourth inning.

Smithers’ finally made a mistake at the top of the fifth, hitting the batter and letting him walk to first base. After some precise throwing, he made up for his error and Finland was out.

The Finnish decided to change pitcher at the bottom of the fifth to Tomi Toivio who does well in his first inning.

On the sixth, Ireland showed more class with Gallagher getting a single off a Finnish mistake and then stealing second. A great long strike by McAuliffe gets him a double and lets Gallagher home. Cuevas gets another double for Ireland and McAuliffe adds another point to the board to make it 5-0 at the end of the sixth

Jose Mesa was a bright spark for Finland as he got their first single but a quick play by Shea catches him out trying to steal second.

Ireland continued to try stealing bases with Brendan Power speed nearly making it home before he was tagged by Mesa.

Liam Shier came in the eighth inning to replace Smithers at pitcher. He eased into the game with Finland struggling with some of his fast balls.

For Ireland’s turn, Fox managed a single when batting but went on to steal second and third. Michael McGee followed by stealing second. A single by Mitchell let Fox run home and Ireland was 6-0 up with only one inning left.

Finland made one last push and with the bases fully loaded, a Mesa single let Finland get their first man home. Sadly for the Finnish, a long Andreas Fopp swing was caught by the Irish to finish the game

A very strong opening baseball match by the boys in green and white will give them confidence for their next match.

Irish pitcher Liam Smithers prove to be the biggest difference between the two teams as he retired 16 of Finland’s players throughout the game.

Ireland will face Hungary tomorrow, the 1st July with all matches being shown live on YouTube.

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