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Crush to see Rory's half-eaten
orange
25.08.12
by Linda McGrory
A PUBLICAN is being spared the squeeze of recession
thanks to a half-eaten orange belonging to the
world’s number one golfer.
Neily Doherty scoured the rough for the piece of
fruit discarded by Rory McIlroy when he touched down
at Ballyliffin Golf Club, Co Donegal, last year four
days after winning the US Open. A year on and he
says "thousands" of people have visited his Lily's
Bar in Malin village, to see the quirky sporting
memento.
"Rory had the trophy in one hand and an orange in
the other and he had to shake hands with waiting
dignitaries, so he threw the fruit into the sand
dunes," said Neily.
"Being a golfer myself, I had a good idea where it
landed and found it within a few minutes." |
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Neily Doherty with the discarded
orange left by Rory McIlroy during his visit last
year to Ballyliffin Golf Club. |
The 56-year old was
opening up a pub the next day and thought the
souvenir would make a juicy draw for customers.
Neily, who plays off a 13 handicap, was intrigued to
find that the double-major golf champ had managed to
peel the orange leaving the skin in one long piece.
The orange and peel is kept in a 'secret'
preservative oil in a sealed jar on a shelf behind
the counter.
"I've had people from all over the world in to see
it. Many are golfers from China, America, Australia,
Canada, Britain and other parts of Ireland who are
here playing Ballyliffin golf links.
"It's a great talking point and a bit of fun. My
friends thought I was mad but Rory's orange is
proving them wrong - it's been a good first year for
the business,” quipped Neily. He is now a-peeling
for his Holywood hero’s autograph.
"He knows about the orange and some day I hope he’ll
sign the jar too."
To watch video of Rory McIlroy's visit to Ballyliffin last year
click here . |
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