An Evening with Rory McIlroy’ proclaimed the massive poster outside the Dublin Convention Centre on Tuesday night. As if that was not enough to draw a 2,000 crowd inside, the Northern Irishman brought along a very special guest – Sir Alex Ferguson.
During an enthralling Q&A hosted by the actor James Nesbitt that lasted 90 minutes – appropriately enough - Ferguson came on a second half substitute and told some wonderful stories about work ethic and concentration, the ‘disease’ of complacency and exactly why he believes Cristiano Ronaldo to be a better footballer than Lionel Messi.
The most revealing moment of McIlroy’s segment was previously unseen footage shown on a big screen of the day he damaged his ankle ligaments playing five a side football last July that prevented him from defending his Open title at St Andrews.
McIlroy admitted for the first time his ‘devastation’ at not being able to defend on his favourite course in the world.
The video shows the 27 year old tracking back when he suddenly collapsed to the ground in obvious pain. ‘Is he hurt?’ says an anguished female voice on the tape, and as he lies prone for about 45 seconds the answer becomes clear.
‘I knew straight away something had popped and it was devastating knowing St Andrews was so close and that it would be five years before I’d get to play another Open there,’ he said.
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