RORY FITZ' THE BILL

Darragh inspired by Mcllroy’s resilience

- BY GARRY DOYLE

DARRAGH Fitzgibbon has been taking notes from Rory Mcllroy — and now the Cork captain wants his team to follow suit.

Because if Mcllroy can finally shake off an 11-year wait for Major glory, Fitzgibbon believes Cork can do the same when it comes to landing the All-Ireland they crave.

‘The Rebels skipper sat glued to every shot as Mcllroy went back-to-back at Augusta in 2025 and again last Sunday - and what struck him most wasn't the brilliance.

It was the battle.

“I watched Rory closely when he ended that long wait to win,” said Fitzgibbon. “I found the way he won ast year to be so admirable because you could see on his face everything he was going through.

“It was impressive the way he dealt with adversity.

“I'm no expert on golf but it was kind of like he was almost afraid to win at times - and then every time he was afraid of losing, he just dug so deep to force a comeback.

‘That fight - that refusal to fold - is what resonated most with a player who has been on his own long road.