1982 - Gerry Armstrong and Alex Higgins. 1985 - Barry McGuigan and Dennis Taylor. 2010 - Graeme McDowell. And now 2011 - Rory McIlroy. All of these are names I will remember from my lifetime as representing great sporting achievements from N. Ireland. I don't remember Mary Peters' triumph and I didn't see George Best at his peak.
Rory's achievement ranks as one of the best for me and there are a number of reasons for that. For late night/early morning drama it compares to Taylor holding his nerve to pot that final black against Steve Davis, although of course Rory's victory was a lot more comfortable than that nerve shreddng night in 1985. For the background story of coming back from that horrible final round at Augusta where we watched one of our sporting heroes come apart at the seams it was simply a joy to watch. For the recognition that some times nice guys (and Rory seems to be one of the nice guys) do come first it was very satisfying. It was both funny and emotional to see him half-apologise for not buying a Father's Day gift as he presented his dad with the US Open Golf trophy.
Maybe this one is closer to home for me as well because I grew up in the same town as Rory and went to the same school as Rory. Of course, we were a considerable number of years apart. When Rory was swinging his plastic clubs as a two year old I was doing my A-levels.
But I think that one of the reasons why this has been so tear-jerkingly enjoyable is because of the wee country that we come from. Many of those bright sporting moments that I mentioned at the beginning came in the context of some of the darkest days of our history. Rory McIlroy has known very little of the deep darkness of the Troubles in his 22 years and he represents a post-Troubles generation that are not held back by the history of this place. Many people of my generation couldn't wait to leave this place. Rory can't wait to get back. Perhaps that sums up what has changed between the time I was 22 and now.
We still have our difficulties. There is still darkness out there on our streets and the destruction of another promising young life in the murder of PC Ronan Kerr should remind us that there is still some way to go. We are at the beginning of another marching season when there is the potential for N. Ireland's name to be broadcast around the world for all the wrong reasons again. Rory McIlroy has given us a reason to be cheerful and a reason to be (in the right sense) proud. Don't let's waste it. Let's enjoy it.
I hope that over the years to come he keeps giving us those moments although none will be as emotional and wonderful as his first major victory in Maryland. Don't put him on a pedestal that he will inevitably topple off some day. Just let him be what he is - an incredibly talented sportsman, with a good attitude to victory and defeat - someone we will support and be proud of but who we won't worship or idolise.
Over the last few days people have made mention of Rory's God-given talent. Wouldn't it be great if people really meant what they said? Wouldn't it be great if those same commentators and journalists actually took a moment to say thank you to a God who gives human beings skill to invent and discover and yes, provide enjoyment to millions of others? I don't know if this is an example of God's common grace but perhaps it is and maybe we should be thankful that in the midst of a dark and difficult world we can share in some good news born and bred in 'our wee country'.
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