Lowry Looking for Irish Repeat

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Shane Lowry has now set his sights on becoming only the third Irishman to win his national Open on more than one occasion.

Lowry turned his season around with a runner-up finish behind fellow Irishman Rory McIlroy in last month’s BMW PGA Championship, a performance which filled the Clara native with confidence ahead of his bid to emulate the feats of his compatriots Christy O’Connor Snr and Harry Bradshaw. 

O’Connor Snr won the Irish Open four times and Bradshaw twice, but no Irishman has achieved the feat since the tournament joined The European Tour International Schedule in 1975. 

Five years on from his amateur dramatics at Baltray, Lowry will go in search of a second victory in the €2million event. 

He said: “I generally don’t like to talk about wining, but I do feel I’m coming here this week to really contend. Someone might shoot a better score than me to pip me and at the end of the day there’s not a lot you can do about that, but I come here with that winning mentality. I really feel like my game is where I want it to be at the minute, and I’m really excited about the next four days.”

Lowry’s excitement is not just caused by his improved performances of late, but also due to the crowds which are expected to pour through the gates at Fota Island Resort, in Ireland’s second city of Cork. 

When the tournament was staged at Portrush in 2012, it became the first sold-out event in European Tour history; and with extended periods of sunshine forecast for the majority of week, Lowry is confident that the Irish golfing public will again show their support. 

He said: “I believe the last time it was played here in 2002, there were around 35,000 people here on the Saturday and I’d say we are expecting pretty similar crowds again, which should make for a great week. The golf course is lovely, and with the weather forecast we have, it’s going to be a fantastic. 

“I’m playing on a golf course that I know quite well, in front of my friends and family. I mean, where else do you want to be in the world? There’s no place I'd rather be this week than playing here.”

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Mercy Hospital Named Irish Open Charity

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The European Tour has announced that the Mercy Hospital Foundation in Cork has been named as Official Charity to the 2014 Irish Open to be played at Fota Island Resort in Co. Cork from June 19-22.

The Foundation was selected from a shortlist of local charities by the Trustees of the Tour Players Foundation (TPF), The European Tour’s charitable arm, who look to support charities in regions which host European Tour events, with a specific focus on children and young people.

A range of charitable initiatives at this year’s Irish Open will help raise substantial funds for the Mercy Hospital’s Kids and Teens Appeal, which was launched earlier this year with the target of raising €100,000 to benefit the Foundation’s paediatric services.

The initiatives, which will be confirmed in due course by The European Tour, will offer the opportunity for all involved in the Irish Open, whether a spectator or sponsor or player, to contribute to the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal, leaving a lasting legacy for the return of the Irish Open to Cork.

Micheál Sheridan, CEO, The Mercy Hospital Foundation, said: “Our mission is to support the Hospital in delivering the highest quality of patient care by raising funds to support advancements and innovation in the treatment and care of patients at the Mercy Hospital, the People’s Hospital. 

“We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, and charity partnerships like this one with the Irish Open.”

Shane Lowry, who finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy in last week’s BMW PGA Championship, was in Cork recently and congratulated the Mercy Hospital Foundation on becoming the Irish Open Official Charity.

After meeting the charity representatives at Fota Island Resort following a practice round ahead of the Irish Open, Lowry said: “My girlfriend works as a children’s nurse so I can appreciate the efforts which go into making the youngsters’ lives better. As Official Charity of the Irish Open, the Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal should benefit greatly from this association with the game of golf.”

Mark Roe, former European Tour player and Chairman of the Tour Players Foundation, commented: “The Mercy Hospital Foundation’s work with young children in the Cork area made a strong impression on the Trustees and we are delighted to work with them in the weeks before and during the Irish Open to assist their fundraising for the Kids and Teens Appeal.”

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The Mercy Kids and Teens Appeal, launched earlier this year by The Mercy Hospital Foundation, aims to raise €100,000 to benefit crucial areas of The Mercy Hospital’s paediatric services including redevelopment of the Children’s Leukaemia Unit at a cost of €10,000. This will include redeveloping the family room, treatment room, play facilities and overnight facilities for parents.

Funding for the POONS service - €54,000 for three years. A mobile nursing service that administers treatment to children and young people undergoing cancer treatment in the child’s own home. The service covers a large geographical area throughout the county as well as other surrounding counties.

Bereavement Counselling and Support for Children and Support for Education - €36,000. Many children are affected by the death of a parent or sibling and require Bereavement Counselling and other support services. For many other children and young people with long term illnesses their education can be affected and the Mercy Hospital Foundation provides support through the hospital Social Work Department to enable many of these children to continue their education following their illness.

www.mercyfundraising.ie 

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