McIlroy’s ‘wonderfully positive’ achievements praised by Newry & Armagh MLA

McIlroy completed a career grand slam by winning the title at the Augusta course in Georgia earlier in April and became only the sixth golfer in the sports history to win all four majors, joining the likes of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Mr McNulty was adding his congratulations as members met for the first time since the Easter break.

He described the Holywood man as “one of the few Irishmen who, as a sportsman, unite the House”, adding that McIlroy “is a world-class competitor”.

He continued: "He has demonstrated that, if you have a dream and pursue it with passion and a relentless determination to improve every day, you can achieve anything. As a young boy, he told the world that his goal was to win the Grand Slam. What incredible confidence for a young man of that age to have said so.

"It is incredibly positive and powerful that he has gone on to do it.”

Listing McIlroy’s achievements, Mr McNulty continued: “In 2007, he turned professional: boom. In 2009, he had his first European Tour win at the Dubai Desert Classic: boom. In 2010, he got his first PGA Tour victory at the Wells Fargo Championship: boom. In 2010, he made his Ryder Cup debut: boom. In 2011, he got his first major championship win at the US Open: boom. In 2016, he won his first FedExCup title: boom. In 2018, he won his first Players Championship title: boom. In 2025, he has become the first European and the first Irishman to win the Grand Slam in golf: boom.

"For him to have such achievements is incredible. It is wonderfully positive and powerful that a man from just a few miles from here has done that. It is worth recognising that he is also a huge contributor to charity. Now that the shackles are off, we are all so excited to see where he goes from here. It is so exciting for Rory McIlroy, for his family, for the North, for Ireland and for Europe. Well done, Rory.”