Ryder Cup captains mark final countdown at Limerick castle
Team USA captain Jim Furyk and Team Europe captain Luke Donald during the 'Ryder Cup Live at the Castle' event at King John's Castle in Limerick on Sunday evening. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Vouchers for a few lucky winners, fireworks, and live music were part of the festivities as Limerick marked 'One Year to Go' until the 2027 Ryder Cup.
In one year's time, Adare Manor will play host to the tournament from September 17. For the final countdown, Team Europe captain Luke Donald and Team USA captain Jim Furyk made their first joint public appearance at King John’s Castle.
Hosted by Louise Cantillon, the sold-out event saw performances from trad group Biird, who got crowds dancing before The Coronas serenaded Limerick.
For those who never have experienced it, Jym Furyk described the Ryder Cup as “the ultimate competition”.
“You see players, who like Luke and I were probably stoic on the golf course, screaming at the top of their lungs, wearing their emotions on their sleeves,” said Furyk. “I think it’s the best event on television”.
The Team Europe captain said it was “fitting” to celebrate 100 years of the Ryder Cup in in Ireland — and with the McManus family.
The Taoiseach, JP McManus, sports minister Patrick O’Donovan, and Limerick mayor John Moran addressed the crowd in a video.
“Tonight, we’re not here to celebrate the Ryder Cup. We’re here to celebrate what it represents.100 years of rivalry, of memories years of friendship, years of memories,” said Mr McManus.
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Mr Martin added that the Ryder Cup will endure in Limerick and that “its legend will continue to grow”.
“Tonight, we are not simply opening the gates of the castle. We’re opening the hearts of a nation,” said Mr Martin.
“A nation proud to host a moment of such extraordinary significance. A nation ready to welcome the world. Because moments like this do not belong only to history, they become history,” he added.
While Micheál Martin’s introduction was booed by the crowd, Limerick cheered the loudest for JP McManus — something Luke Donald paid attention to.
“I saw that the cheers for JP and their family, they obviously have endeared themselves to the local community and what they’ve done. It’s only fitting that we celebrate that 100 years with them,” said Donald.
Meanwhile, Furyk revealed he was given a hurling lesson by a 10-year-old in Adare Manor and quickly found himself hooked to the game. Ever since, he has been keeping up with the Limerick hurlers on GAA+, and even made his way back to watch the All-Ireland final with JP McManus.
The captains praised the leadership of Limerick hurling manager John Kiely, before Donald suggested they could perhaps do a duet next September.
Accompanied by a few of the Limerick hurlers, an enthusiastic Kiely said the 'One Year To Go' event was “massive”.
“It just gives you an idea of what’s coming down the line,” said Kiely.
“Look it, the whole of Ireland are behind this project. Everybody wants to make it the best Ryder Cup ever — and it will be.
"It’s going to be all about the people, about the players, the competition and it will be just magic. We can’t wait for it”.
After playing games of ‘High or Low’ with the people of Limerick, presenter Louise Cantillon gave away a few €100 vouchers — encouraged to be spent on “Ryder Cup merch”.
To continue to mark ‘One Year To Go’, the captains will play against junior golfers in Limerick before being questioned by journalists on Tuesday for their first joint press conference.
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