"Around him the galleries, which had grown to empathise with his too-often traumatic pursuit of a green jacket and by consequence, golf's Major Grand Slam, were in ecstasy. As his white Nike ball disappeared, McIlroy fell to his knees and buried his head in the same short cut that had, less than half-an-hour earlier, betrayed him when a putt to win the elusive US Masters in regulation slipped by, forcing a play-off with Justin Rose that he ultimately closed out with that birdie."
"Not everyone will be drawn to golf and McIlroy. But most will feel magnetism to the swaying fortunes of the Irish soccer team. If ever proof was needed that they are this country's most galvanising sporting product, the reaction to Troy Parrott's third goal in Budapest, his fifth in a week like no other, crystallised it. From bars and airport lounges to even GAA games, the cheers rose in unison to salute the Dubliner's winner."
"Rebounding off the canvas comes naturally to McIlroy. For all his vulnerability in those clutch moments, there is incredible steel too that manifested so often on that final day in Augusta. He had been having quite the season up to that point - Dubai, Pebble Beach and the Players Championship. On Masters Sunday morning he was two clear, and by the turn he was in firm command. It couldn't go wrong this time,"
Rory McIlroy secured the elusive Masters victory after a dramatic playoff against Justin Rose, collapsing to his knees as the winning putt fell and finally claiming the green jacket. The win followed a strong season including victories in Dubai, Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, and showcased both vulnerability and steely resilience on the final day at Augusta. Troy Parrott delivered a sensational week for Irish soccer, scoring twice against Portugal then a hat-trick in Budapest to revive World Cup qualifying hopes and galvanize nationwide support. The national rebound from earlier setbacks demonstrated renewed momentum across Irish sport, prompting nominations for major awards.
Read at Irish Independent
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