Irish Open: Portrush passes its biggest test
The Irish Open will be back in Northern Ireland probably sooner rather than later after the success of Royal Portrush.
The Irish Open will be back in Northern Ireland probably sooner rather than later after the success of Royal Portrush.
So where does the Irish Open go from here?
The Irish Open has been and gone. And boy didn't our wee country host it well.
The applause was long and loud as Darren Clarke approached the 18th green. It was a reception fit for a King.
Graeme McDowell wanted a much tougher test for the field in the final round of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush yesterday.
So no fairytale Ulster win at the first Irish Open to be played at Royal Portrush for over 60 years.
Michael Hoey has been enjoying what he has been hearing in the locker room all week.
It wasn't really the place to parade in finery and the weather certainly didn't help the WAGs in the style stakes at Portrush.
The rain may have tipped down and our golfing heroes didn’t worry the leaderboard too much — but the Irish Open was still a tremendous success.
A day out at Barry's was never like this. Portrush was transformed, for a few days at least, from a seasonal seaside day trip location to the headquarters of European golf, and it didn't look a bit out of place.
There were no plush hotel suites for Irish Open runner-up Anthony Wall to break open the champagne in.
Caroline Wozniacki turned up to support boyfriend Rory McIlroy while Graeme McDowell's American girlfriend Kristin Stape enjoyed the atmosphere at Royal Portrush.
The 2012 Irish Open is the first regular European Tour event to sell out completely.
Jamie Donaldson lifts the trophy as Royal Portrush moves closer to ultimate dream of hosting The Open Championship.
When he looks back on a tied 10th place finish at Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy won't be too disappointed.
There was no home winner of the Irish Open yesterday, but Royal Portrush is celebrating a bonanza that could land a major championship.
A week that meant so much to Northern Ireland turned out to mean even more for Welshman Jamie Donaldson.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson finally landed his first European Tour title at the 255th attempt.
Jamie Donaldson birdied the short 14th at Royal Portrush to take a three-shot lead at the Irish Open.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson, trying for his first win in 255 European Tour events at the Irish Open, went two in front of the field with a five-foot birdie putt at the 12th.
It hasn't always been a bed of roses
Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal at Manchester City.
Substitute Craig Doyle came off the bench to fire in a spectacular hat-trick as Carlow powered to a 4-17 to 2-13 victory over London in the Leinster SHC at Dr Cullen Park.
Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has apologised to team-mate Glenn Whelan after smashing his car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution for a training-ground prank which went wrong.
There could be better to come from Tuscan Light judged on her manner of victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Wexford.