Ryder Cup will help attract more events - O'Donoghue

The Minister for Sport and Tourism has said he believes this weekend's Ryder Cup will bring immeasurable benefits to Ireland for decades to come.

John O'Donoghue was speaking as preparations get underway for the opening ceremony of the tournament at the K Club today.

The three-day competition gets underway tomorrow and will attract an estimated one billion television viewers.

Mr O'Donoghue says it would be impossible to estimate the benefits of such exposure to the Irish tourism industry.

He also says it should help Ireland attract more top sporting events and the Government is already looking into the possibility of hosting the Solheim Cup for women golfers.