No fish and chips for O’Connor at his 80th bash

“I thought I was going out for a feed of fish and chips and instead I get picked up in a Rolls Royce and brought to a banquet attended by 600 of my oldest friends,” said a clearly bemused but delighted Christy O’Connor Snr.

It was said on the occasion of a surprise party to mark his 80th birthday at the Citywest Hotel near Dublin last night.

Golfing friends of O’Connor from all over the country were present for a function brilliantly organised by his nephew Christy Jnr, whose daughter Anne put it all together.

“I had a nice quiet evening in mind,” said the guest of honour to Christy Jnr.

“It is a complete surprise but it is also magnificent to see so many great friends together to mark the occasion.”