As Rory McIlroy continues to chase his first Irish Open title at the K Club, the Sunday Paper panel ask the question - is there a disconnect between Rory McIlroy and the Irish fans of the sport?
Joining Joe Molloy in a broadcast from the K Club, Dermot Gileece of the Sunday Independent, Philip Quinn of the Irish Daily Mail and Shane McGrath of the Irish Daily Mail, all tackle the question.
Shane McGrath begins by stating his belief that Padraig Harrington is 'the most popular sportsman in Ireland' and in the same breath professes that he thinks his popularity trumps that of McIlroy's.
Philip Quinn then expands on this point and says that the world number three's following is growing.
"On the third hole, he played his third shot in and some goon shouted out 'get in the hole,' and immediately there was a reply in a thick northern accent - 'get off the course' - so there's a lot of northern support out there for Rory and it was good to hear that response."
"I think he's hugely admired, respected and he's got a huge talent. He's probably a better technician than Harrington but he has to warm to be loved. Harrington's probably loved more now than in his 40's, a lot of sportsmen get loved when they carry on and they're in decline and they're raging against the dying of the light. With Rory, I think we'll start to feel a bit more when he starts to show a bit of vulnerability."
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