Rory McIlroy swaps his driver for a set of his Norn Irons as he teams up with Euro 2016 squad
World No 3 and newly-crowned Irish Open champion showed Michael O'Neil's men how to really strike a ball during clinic
RORY MCILROY swapped his drivers for ‘Norn Irons’ by joining the Northern Ireland squad for a pre-Euros pep talk.
The Northern Ireland team is dubbed ‘Norn Iron’ by their own fans because of the province’s accent and world No 3 golfer McIlroy is an ardent fan.
He will be watching them in the final Euro 2016 group game against world champions Germany and has been spotted joining in the singing with the crowd at qualifying matches at Belfast’s Windsor Park.
But on Monday he took the players for a swinging session at plush Carton House near Dublin - the day after winning the Irish Open at the K Club.
McIlroy was presented with a signed Northern Ireland shirt by Green Army boss Michael O’Neil and gave the squad a pep talk to boost their confidence ahead of the tournament.
It is the first time in 30 years that Northern Ireland have qualified for a major football finals - the last being the 1986 World Cup in Mexico under boss Billy Bingham.
McIlroy, a four-time Major winner and proud Northern Irishman, then put the players through their paces on the driving range at the luxurious five-star hotel and sports complex which boasts Ireland’s best training facilities.
Former Man United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, now with Notts County, boss O’Neil and others were all put on the spot showing their skills on the tee.
Race to Dubai champ McIlroy ended his six-month winless duck 24 hours before the trip.
He looked nailed-on to coast to a first professional win on home soil when he started the final round with a three-shot lead but was one behind Scot Russell Knox with just three holes to go.
Then, roared on by the 30,000-strong home crowd, McIlroy reeled off a birdie-par-eagle finish to end up three strokes clear.
And the usually unflappable star admitted he had to fight the waterworks on the final green.
He said: "I don't know if I can put into words what this win means.
"As you've seen I don't really get emotional when I win but I was trying to hold back the tears on the 18th green.
"Looking up and seeing friends and family and to do this in front of them - I don't get the chance often - to finish like that is something I'll never forget."