Shane Lowry returns to Portrush ahead of Open Championship tilt
Shane Lowry has paid a visit to Portrush ahead of next month's Open Championship.
The final major of the year kicks off at Royal Portrush on July 17th, and six years on from his famous win on Irish soil, Lowry will be desperate to reclaim the Claret Jug.
Offaly native Lowry has had a successful year on the PGA Tour pocketing over €5million in prize money, but he has struggled in the majors in 2025, finishing in a tie for 42nd at The Masters in April before missing the cut at the PGA Championship and US Open.
Lowry has cut a frustrated figure during those two missed cuts and was caught on camera complaining about the courses on at least one occasion.
He will be hoping that a return to the site of his most famous hour will re-ignite the fire inside him that makes him a serious threat to the biggest names in the sport.
The Irishman will no doubt receive huge backing from fans and punters when he tees it up in Portrush next month, but with Rory McIlroy looking to avenge his 2019 disaster and Scottie Scheffler in the form of his life, Lowry will have to fight his way through a field that is well and truly stacked.
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Irish Independent
15 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Ireland's Jack Raftery and Sharlene Mawdsley take centre stage at European Athletics Team Championships
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Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish powerhouse trainers Mullins and Elliott spend big at Derby Sale
Irish powerhouse trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott spent close to €2 million between them at a two-day sale this week. While the focus switches to flat racing during the summer, it is time for restocking for jumps trainers as they try to unearth the next big equine talent. And Mullins and Elliott both dived deep into the pockets at the Tattersalls Derby Sale, where many beautifully bred store horses were on offer. Mullins bought nine unraced horses for a total of €1,230,000, including a €180,000 purchase of a Nathaniel gelding from Castledillon Agent. The Carlow trainer's long-time bloodstock agent Harold Kirk said of the purchase: 'It has been hard to get a Nathaniel out of a jumping pedigree, and this horse is out of a Poliglote mare, which I love, and it is a very good jumping family – Don Lino lower down the pedigree was a top horse in France.' He added: 'A lot of the Nathaniels who have gone jumping are out of Flat mares so you're hoping that, when they have jumping pedigrees, they will be even better. 'All the horses I am buying here will be purchased with the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in mind – moving the race to a December date works well for us and it gives us options.' Gordon Elliott, meanwhile, bought three horses for a total of €510,000. The Meath handler's biggest buy was a €235,000 Blue Bresil gelding, who is on the same cross as the sire's superstar son Constitution Hill. Elliott, who was alongside Eddie O'Leary in the sales ring, said: "He is a lovely athletic horse, one we have been waiting for all week. "We will get him home now and broken in. His half-brother, Handstands, is a very talented horse." €17,576,000 changed hands at the Derby Sale. Four horses were sold for over €200,000 with a Walk In The Park gelding out of Posh Trish (Lot 338) topping the sale at €285,000.
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Climbers finish 5-peak challenge at Croagh Patrick in memory of young Mayo man
MORE THAN 100 climbers gathered at the summit of Croagh Patrick today for a special blessing to mark the final ascent of a 5-peak challenge honouring the life of James McNeive. Mr McNeive, a native of Knock in Co Mayo, was killed in a road traffic accident last year at the age of 28. The McNeive family organised the 5-peak challenge to raise funds for a number of causes close to James's heart, spanning from charities to local schools and clubs, including ones where James had either taught as a schoolteacher or played. Beginning on Mr McNeive's birthday, 24 June, the five peaks were Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, Snowdon in Wales, Carrauntoohil in Co Kerry, and concluded today at Croagh Patrick in his home county of Mayo. A core team of 30 took part in all five climbs of Summit for James, which included Mr McNeive's mother Bernadette, his siblings, cousins, close friends, and teammates from Aghamore GAA. 'All participants self-funded their travel and expenses, ensuring that every cent raised (excluding iDonate platform fees) goes directly to a group of causes that James supported or was personally connected to,' a spokeswoman for the climb said. James's younger brother Matthew, who lives with kidney failure, managed to participate in three of the five peaks despite his dialysis. Advertisement Brothers Matthew McNeive, left, and James who passed away in August 2024. 'James had this rare ability to light up any room and lift the people around him, whether you were a friend, a student or a stranger,' Matthew said. 'He had a deep love for his school communities and his local GAA club. That's why the charities we've chosen reflect his passions — teaching, mental health, sport, a children's charity, and of course the Irish Kidney Association, because he never liked to see me struggle. He always wanted to do something to help and supported organ donation.' Knock's Parish Priest Father Richard Gibbons blessed the crowd that gathered for the final climb today. The McNeive family: mother Bernadette, twins Michael and Matthew with (2nd from left) Colin White, the National Advocacy & Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association. To date, the challenge has raised over €124,000, with funds going to: Irish Heart Foundation; Make-A-Wish Ireland; Daisy Lodge (Cancer Fund for Children); Mayo Mindspace (youth mental health); and the Irish Kidney Association. A climb of a Mount Maroon near Brisbane in Australia by Irish people living in the area took place last week in solidarity. The McNeive family hope that the 5 Peak Challenge will be 'the first of many events under the newly formed James McNeive Foundation, which aims to continue supporting the causes James cared deeply about'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
