Latest news with #NorthernIrish
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rory McIlroy in dreamland as home Open at Royal Portrush comes with weight warning that could crush him
Northern Irish superstar is ready to rock but his fellow countryman can see a major hazard to golfing glory in his own backyard Revved-up Rory McIlroy reckons he's in dreamland as he guns for an epic home Open triumph. But Northern Irish pal Graeme McDowell has warned the weight of expectation could again crush the local hero at Royal Portrush. McIlroy is being treated like an idol and over 40,000 will at his back as he blasts off into round one on Thursday afternoon to kickstart the title bid. The career Grand Slam hero is determined to double up after his glorious Masters triumph at Augusta and end the Major term the way it started. McIlroy said: 'Being here is what dreams are made of. It's been an incredible year and I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and to have the chance to win another Major championship, another Claret Jug. I am really excited for the week. How good would it be to bookend the season. Win the first one and the last one. This is my first time back really after having done what I did in April. It is going to be an amazing experience.' McIlroy has vowed to embrace and enjoy the tensions of the title chase in front of his adoring public, but the competitive juices will still flow as he added: 'I'm still the same fierce competitor and I still want to win these events.' McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a play-off to finally get his Green Jacket and he says that, if he can't win it, he hopes the Englishman or one his fellow Euro heroes delivers. He said: 'Honestly, with what Rosie and I went through at Augusta, how close he has been, I would love to see him get a second. He has won a Major, he has won an Olympic gold medal. But I just think that second Major would validate what a great career he has had. I think that would be a great storyline. One of the Euros, keep it this side of the Atlantic.' It's McIlroy's second Open at Portrush and 2019 was a harrowing experience as he started with an out-of-bounds tee-shot for a first-hole eight and, despite a valiant Friday fightback, missed the cut. He said: 'Doesn't seem like six years ago. It has come around pretty quick. It is nice to have another opportunity here. I'll probably stand on the first tee on Thursday and think about the first shot I hit in 2019 and try not to do anything like that again! 'I think I have been through the experience once. And I have always played a little bit more at home since then as well. The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I've achieved in my career, but it's also an opportunity that I want to embrace with open arms. 'I've done everything I wanted to in the game, but at the same time I still want to do a lot more. I said after Augusta it would free me up. But I still have the same desire when I'm on the golf course.' However, although McIlroy aims to ride the crest of the crowd wave, his ex-Ryder Cup sidekick McDowell is concerned. He said: 'I think Rory's going to have too much emotion to deal with this week. I still hope he competes but it is going to be very difficult for him with the weight on his shoulders with all the emotion and the weight of a country on his back.'
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Diona Doherty explores Motherhood, Identity and Flamingos in Fringe debut
Best known to TV audiences for her scene-stealing roles in Derry Girls and Soft Border Patrol, Northern Irish comedian Diona Doherty is swapping the small screen for the Edinburgh stage this August as she makes her stand-up debut at the Fringe with Get Your Pink Back! at Monkey Barrel. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Drawing inspiration from an online clip about flamingos losing their colour after becoming parents, Doherty's show delves into the reality of modern motherhood and the struggle to rediscover yourself amid sleepless nights and endless laundry. It was the unexpected analogy between drained birds and drained mums that sparked something for the performer, prompting her to re-evaluate what had happened to her once-vibrant self. The show is part confessional, part comeback. In the hour-long set, Doherty recounts taking on a mix of new hobbies—from Zumba to choir practice, Kerby to silent retreats—all in the name of reclaiming her sense of self. Alongside the humour, the show doesn't shy away from heavier themes either, reflecting on her experiences with post-natal depression, infertility and IVF. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad No stranger to a punchline, Doherty has been a familiar face on the BBC's The Blame Game since 2020 and recently returned to the BBC New Comedy Awards as a judge, following her own run to the finals. She's also made appearances on Radio 4's The News Quiz and Breaking The News, and her writing credits span radio plays, theatre commissions and viral sketches. (c) KHARA PRINGLE Yet Get Your Pink Back! feels like a personal milestone for the Derry-born performer. After years of scripted roles and character work, this is a rare glimpse of Doherty as herself—tired, honest and funny, with just the right amount of glitter. Diona Doherty's debut stand up show 'Get Your Pink Back!' will be at the Monkey Barrel 2 for the entire fringe for tickets go to
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Justin Rose hoping for Open payback on Rory McIlroy as double runner up admits conflicting Masters emotions
Rose was second as McIlroy finally completed his golf Grand Slam at Augusta earlier this year and finished second in last year's Open Justin Rose was one of very few on the planet who felt pain and agony when Rory McIlroy fulfilled his dream. Now, in the Northern Irish hero's backyard, the English star hopes it's payback time. The outpouring of joy around golf when McIlroy won the Masters three months ago to complete a career Grand Slam was monumental. But for Rose, as happy as he was in one way for his mate, it was Major heartbreak again. The play-off loss came hard on the heels of a runner-up finish to Xander Schauffele at The Open 12 months ago and it pained. At the age of 44, he knows time and opportunities to add to his 2013 US Open success are running out. This 153rd Championship offers the next crack and, once again, the emotional pull around the place is for McIlroy on his home patch. McIlroy himself says that, if he doesn't get it done, he hopes Rose does and the experienced campaigner is ready for it. He said: 'Listen, Rory is obviously a local hero around here and rightly so. He has been probably since he shot 61 here as a kid. "The legend around him in these parts has been growing for a long, long time. Obviously he's going to be incredibly well supported this week. 'I feel like the pressure is off him almost from that point of view this time around as it was to 2019 maybe even, the fact he's got nothing really more to prove. 'This would just be like cherries on top of everything. I feel like probably he's in a good mindset. 'I've had a bit of a come down off the back of the Masters. I feel like I'm coming back around to having more energy and focus again. I can see maybe the same for him too. It's probably coming at a good time. 'Obviously when Rory was there over his three-footer to win and the tap-in, I was definitely: Oh, man, I've kind of been here before watching the same story, obviously being in a playoff against Sergio [Garcia], so there was definitely a little bit of deja vu to that moment, I suppose. 'I felt like I played great on Sunday. I chased as hard as I could, left it all out there, but when you see all the outpouring from Rory, you understand how big the moment is and you obviously wish that for yourself, obviously. 'It wasn't lost on me what a huge achievement that was for the game of golf, obviously someone achieving the career Grand Slam. 'I was able to still be happy for Rory in that moment and it had been a long time coming for him. It was always going to be a matter of time. It's easy for us to say that, but when you're the player, you want to kind of get that done and you want to get over the line. 'But, obviously, you've got to look inward and understand: Is there anything I could have done better in the moment? 'I think being a part of that story has made people very excited and the feedback of that has been positive. I'm ready to move on for sure because second is second place, isn't it? "It's a tough loss. But at the same time, it's still more evidence that when I get things right, I'm still competitive and can still bring it. 'I've got to make sure those moments like this week and going forward I can try to be as focused as I can on the moment now. "On the putting green since I've been playing the game since probably aged eight, I've been dreaming about winning The Open of course.' Scottie Scheffler's comments this week about golf not being all consuming struck a chord with Rose at this stage of his life and so did Novak Djokovic's post-Wimbledon words. He said: 'Obviously, later in your career, you're never quite sure how many chances are going to be left and when you do come close, clearly it's like, ahh. Sometimes it hurts a little bit more and that's obviously what Novak is saying as well. 'He's still probably believing that he can find angles and ways to maybe get that one percent in a certain part of his game that might make a difference and that's kind of what I believe in terms of what I'm trying to do. 'I think you kind of want to make the most of these near misses at this stage of your career. If I look back at Troon, I think I played as good as anybody for the whole entire week. 'I got beaten by Xander who played an amazing round of golf and we were kind of toe-to-toe right through the round until he had a golden half an hour where he stretched away. 'When you step up as a competitor, you're like: I had everything available to me to win the tournament. That does kind of keep you believing and gives me a lot of hope coming into this week and future Opens, as well.'
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
The Open timings ‘adjusted' to accommodate loyalist band parade
Some timings at The Open on Saturday are to be adjusted to accommodate a loyalist band parade, organisers of the golf tournament have said. The Portrush Sons of Ulster are holding an event in the Northern Irish town which is currently hosting The Open. Some 77 marching bands and 2,000 people are expected to attend the parade from 8.30pm to 11pm around Portrush town centre on Saturday night. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon attending a press conference ahead of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush (Brian Lawless/PA) Meanwhile an estimated 280,000 people, a record attendance for The Open outside St Andrew's, are in town for the tournament at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club. Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), has said there will be 'marginal adjustments' of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times on Saturday to try to ensure both events can take place in a 'seamless' way. 'We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate,' he said. 'On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue. 'So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible. 'We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish — it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier. 'At the same time, this is an outdoor sport; the weather can play a big role. 'It's very difficult to be precise on finishing times, but we are looking at some marginal adjustments.' Mr Darbon was asked at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon about reports that the organisers of the band parade had been offered £20,000 to postpone their event, which was rejected. Responding, he said the R&A is contributing to 'some incremental costs' to support the 'seamless operation of both events'. 'We try and be good citizens in the communities in which we operate when we come to town,' he added. Read More Victory for Open golf fans as Portrush restaurant backs down on price hikes
Leader Live
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
The Open timings ‘adjusted' to accommodate loyalist band parade
The Portrush Sons of Ulster are holding an event in the Northern Irish town which is currently hosting The Open. Some 77 marching bands and 2,000 people are expected to attend the parade from 8.30pm to 11pm around Portrush town centre on Saturday night. Meanwhile an estimated 280,000 people, a record attendance for The Open outside St Andrew's, are in town for the tournament at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club. Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), has said there will be 'marginal adjustments' of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times on Saturday to try to ensure both events can take place in a 'seamless' way. 'We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate,' he said. 'On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue. 'So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible. 'We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish – it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier. 'At the same time, this is an outdoor sport; the weather can play a big role. 'It's very difficult to be precise on finishing times, but we are looking at some marginal adjustments.' Mr Darbon was asked at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon about reports that the organisers of the band parade had been offered £20,000 to postpone their event, which was rejected. Responding, he said the R&A is contributing to 'some incremental costs' to support the 'seamless operation of both events'. 'We try and be good citizens in the communities in which we operate when we come to town,' he added.
