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The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Irish cycling community ‘devastated' at the death of champion ‘stalwart of road scene' aged 52
THE Irish cycling community is mourning the sudden death of a cycling star, 52, who made eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann and also competed internationally having made his debut in Japan in 2002. Craig Sweetman late of Mornington, Co Meath and Skerries in Dublin attended the 'Peter Bidwell' race in Donore last Saturday evening. Advertisement 1 Craig Sweetman has sadly passed away Credit: He was not racing due to an injury. He took ill and died at his home on Sunday. 'Craig was such a likeable guy and a superb rider, he was still racing and a regular at events. "His son Toby has followed in dad's footsteps and is very successful in the junior ranks. This is devastating news for the cycling.' Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport 'He was a stalwart of the Irish road scene, with a racing career marked by a rare longterm committment that included eleven appearances in Rás Tailteann. "He was also an international rider, making his debut at the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan in 2002. Craig was also 2nd in the Classic League in 2002 and won a large number of races at the height of his career, including being crowned men's senior Leinster road race champion. Advertisement Most Read in The Irish Sun He was still placing in races this year and two years ago won the Masters 50 title at Masters National Road Race Championships in Clonard, Co Meath. He had remained very committed to cycling down the years, and passed on much of his vast knowledge to younger riders and those in the early stages of their racing careers.' Bizarre moment Tour de France rider snatches cardboard sign off stunned fan... but had brilliant reason for doing it Mr Sweetman worked for the Dublin Airport Police and Fire Authority. He is survived by his wife Gill, their sons Toby and Tyler, parents Tony and Mona, siblings Jeff, Dale and Kadie, extended family, work colleagues and a large circle of friends. Advertisement He will lie in repose at his home tomorrow (Wed) evening from 5 – 8pm. His removal will take place on Thursday morning to St Patrick's Church, Skerries arriving for 10am mass. Mourners will then gather at Dardistown Crematorium.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rory McIlroy claims winning The Open on home turf in Portrush would be ‘stuff that dreams are made of'
RORY McIlroy says winning The Open on his 'home turf' to crown an unforgettable year would be the 'stuff that dreams are made of'. The Holywood hotshot guaranteed 2025 is a year to remember after becoming only the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam at April's Masters. Advertisement 2 McIlroy begins his tournament at 3.10pm today 2 Fans flocked in their masses to watch McIlroy in the Wednesday previews And he gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. McIlroy, 36, said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' McIlroy, who starts his bid for Open glory at 3.10pm today, was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. Advertisement Read more on Irish Sport He revealed how much it would mean to lift the Claret Jug for a second time after victory at Hoylake in 2014. McIlroy also wants to make amends for his Portrush Open flop in 2019 when he missed the cut. He said: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major. 'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Advertisement Most read in Golf Pointing at his Green Jacket for winning The Masters, he said: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now. 'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.' 'People's champ' Bryson DeChambeau delights Open fans with classy gesture as they say 'how can you not love this guy?'
Al Arabiya
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Lowry Back in His Happy Place at Royal Portrush Where Mural Depicts 'Special' 2019 Win
A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush. For the people in this part of Northern Ireland it is a piece of art that serves as a constant reminder of not just one of the great victories in the British Open's 165-year history but one of the great moments for Irish sport. An Irishman winning the Open on the island of Ireland. Six years later Lowry is back on the Antrim coast looking to do it all over again. 'I didn't know what to make of it at the start,' Lowry said of the mural that immortalized the best golfing day of his life, 'and then when they did it people kept sending me pictures. Everyone that comes up here sends me pictures standing beside it. Some of them I can't say what they were doing in it,' he added laughing, 'but it is very special. I've done something special in my life.' For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. And boy did he celebrate it. There's video of Lowry, a beer in one hand and the silver claret jug in the other, singing Irish folk song 'The Fields of Athenry' in a bar in Dublin hours after his six-shot victory. It sure wasn't the only drinking hole he visited in the Irish capital that night which – to some – fueled the narrative of him being something of a party animal. 'Don't get me wrong I do enjoy it from time to time,' he said, 'but I know when I need to put my head down and work. You can't be at the top level of any sport if you're not applying yourself well and I feel like I do it.' Indeed the No. 18-ranked Lowry feels in a good place after being back home in Ireland for the past three weeks skipping the opportunity to play at the Scottish Open – regarded as a warmup to the British Open. Instead he has played a slew of the best courses in Ireland – among them Portmarnock, Waterville and also Adare Manor which is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 – in perfect weather. Lowry, whose only solo victory since Portrush in 2019 was the European tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship in 2022, feels rejuvenated and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and 05. 'Sometimes when everything is going really well I get complacent,' he said. 'I feel like when things are not going well is when I'm at my best. Go back to 2019 here, I had a meltdown on the Wednesday because I thought I wasn't going to go out and play well, but then that focused me in a little bit more.' Roared on by a raucous crowd, Lowry went on to play the best golf of his life in what at times was rough and wet weather. Few will forget the scene of Lowry – dressed all in black – marching to the 18th green on Sunday with a broad smile and his arms out wide to the backdrop of green-white-and-orange Irish flags and jubilant umbrella-holding spectators. 'I came to a place that I knew and I loved,' he said, 'and it just all clicked.' There's now a mural of him to show for it even if being lionized in such a way makes him feel uncomfortable. 'I'm happy,' Lowry said, 'I don't have to drive past it every day.'
Associated Press
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Lowry back in his happy place at Royal Portrush where mural depicts 'special' 2019 win
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush. For the people in this part of Northern Ireland, it is a piece of art that serves as a constant reminder of not just one of the great victories in the British Open's 165-year history but one of the great moments for Irish sport. An Irishman winning the Open on the island of Ireland. Six years later, Lowry is back on the Antrim coast looking to do it all over again. 'I didn't know what to make of it at the start,' Lowry said of the mural that immortalized the best golfing day of his life, 'and then when they did it, people kept sending me pictures. 'Everyone that comes up here sends me pictures standing beside it. Some of them I can't say what they were doing in it,' he added, laughing, 'but it is very special. I've done something special in my life.' And, boy, did he celebrate it. There's video of Lowry, a beer in one hand and the silver claret jug in the other, singing Irish folk song 'The Fields of Athenry' in a bar in Dublin hours after his six-shot victory. It sure wasn't the only drinking hole he visited in the Irish capital that night, which — to some — fueled the narrative of him being something of a party animal. 'Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it from time to time,' he said, 'but I know when I need to put my head down and work. 'You can't be at the top level of any sport if you're not applying yourself well, and I feel like I do it.' Indeed, the No. 18-ranked Lowry feels in a good place after being back home in Ireland for the past three weeks, skipping the opportunity to play at the Scottish Open — regarded as a warmup to the British Open. Instead, he has played a slew of the best courses in Ireland — among them Portmarnock, Waterville and also Adare Manor, which is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 — in perfect weather. Lowry, whose only solo victory since Portrush in 2019 was the European tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship in 2022, feels 'rejuvenated' and as prepared as he could be in his bid to become the first player to win consecutive British Opens at the same course since Tiger Woods at St. Andrews in 2000 and '05. 'Sometimes when everything is going really well, I get complacent,' he said. 'I feel like when things are not going well is when I'm at my best. 'Go back to 2019 here, I had a meltdown on the Wednesday because I thought I wasn't going to go out and play well, but then that focused me in a little bit more.' Roared on by a raucous crowd, Lowry went on to play the best golf of his life in what at times was rough and wet weather. Few will forget the scene of Lowry — dressed all in black — marching to the 18th green on Sunday with a broad smile and his arms out wide, to the backdrop of green-white-and-orange Irish flags and jubilant umbrella-holding spectators. 'I came to a place that I knew and I loved,' he said, 'and it just all clicked.' There's now a mural of him to show for it, even if being lionized in such a way makes him feel uncomfortable. 'I'm happy,' Lowry said, 'I don't have to drive past it every day.' ___ AP golf:
Washington Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Lowry back in his happy place at Royal Portrush where mural depicts 'special' 2019 win
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush. For the people in this part of Northern Ireland, it is a piece of art that serves as a constant reminder of not just one of the great victories in the British Open's 165-year history but one of the great moments for Irish sport .
