Irish Minister for Sport Hanafin congratulates European team on regaining the Ryder Cup

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Irish Minister for Sport Hanafin congratulates European team on regaining the Ryder Cup

2010-10-04 21:52:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

DUBLIN (BNO NEWS) -- Mary Hanafin T.D., the Irish Minister for Sport, on Monday congratulated the European Ryder Cup team on their victory over the United States in Celtic Manor Resort, Wales.

Minister Hanafin said: "the whole team gave their all to deliver a thrilling and accomplished performance over the historic four days of competition. I want to pay particular credit to the Irish golfers on the team - Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy for their significant contribution to Europe regaining the Ryder Cup."

Hanafin continued: "There were many nail-biting moments for spectators during the four days of the competition, and today’s singles matches provided a wonderful spectacle of closely contested match-play golf for people on both sides of the Atlantic."

Hanafin said the 'steely determination' of Graeme McDowell's play in the final holes of the 2010 Ryder Cup will live long in the memories of everyone throughout Ireland and Europe, "with once again a golfer from Ireland playing a pivotal role in the final stages of the competition."

"I also want to congratulate Europe’s Captain Colin Montgomerie and all of the Vice Captain's for their work with all of the team over the past few months and particularly this past week. Their combined experience was no doubt of great value to the players in their winning performance," Hanafin concluded.

The European Ryder Cup team won 14 1/2-13 1/2 to reclaim the cup won by the Americans at Valhalla two years ago.

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