Celebrations are continuing in Shane Lowry's home county after the Offaly man won golf's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
He is now ranked 17th in the world after the win.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Ray Molloy, a family friend and manager of Shane's local club, Esker Hills, said it was a very emotional moment.
“There were many tears yesterday,” he said. “From guys that played with him and played on teams with him in the club championship.”
“There were loads of tears and he is just one of the boys down here.
“He is so likeable and we are so pleased. We are so pleased for the Lowry family – they put in huge effort into this.
“This didn’t happen overnight. This is a long trek for the Lowry family and for him to be able to hand over the trophy to his parents last night – it just makes us all emotional.”
Fans celebrate Shane Lowry winning The Open at Esker Hills Golf Club, 21-07-2019. Image: INPHO/Tommy DicksonSpeaking to OffTheBall's Nathan Murphy after the win yesterday, Shane Lowry’s father Brendan said the win was like a dream.
"Padraig Harrington came in and he said 'will you all stop crying', that's what he said,” he said.
“Everybody was crying – you would think something serious happened.
"This is what he dreamed about when he was playing – like any young sportsman whatever sport they take up, they dream about things like that that.
“And what about winning the Open in Ireland? In Portrush where he likes too, it is just unbelievable.”
Shane Lowry's father Brendan celebrates with the Claret Jug, 21-07-2019. Image: INPHO/Presseye/Matt MackeyHe said there is “no comparison at all” to his own success with the Offaly footballers in 1982.
“I was 60 last Friday – he handed me thing and he says, ‘happy birthday Da.”
“Absolutely mental isn’t it.”
"I can't believe he won by 6 shots!" - @nathanmurf caught up with Brendan Lowry after his son, Shane, won #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/ruaUiYoe0A
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) July 21, 2019
Speaking to reporters, Shane Lowry said his winning moment was made even more special by the presence of Harrington on the 18th.
“You go into Paddy’s house and his Claret jug is sitting there on his kitchen table,” he said.
“I am going to have one on my kitchen table now as well so I said to him and that is going to be quite nice.”
President Higgins has also congratulate Lowry on his win, noting that the "victory was not only a great personal achievement but an historic win."
He went on to say that "Shane's Lowry's success will have brought pride and joy not only to sports fans around Ireland, but to the Irish everywhere."
Some shots from a magical day thanks to our friends @Inphosports for capturing the moments 📸 pic.twitter.com/n8VODrug5E
— Esker Hills Golf (@EskerHills) July 21, 2019
The Junior Sports Minister, Brendan Griffin, called him a sporting hero, saying his "first Major title will undoubtedly pave the way for many future victories."
"This victory was not only a great personal achievement but an historic win."
President Michael D. Higgins congratulates Shane Lowry on victory in the Open Championship: https://t.co/Mf79GhGACN #TheOpen @ShaneLowryGolf pic.twitter.com/sjv5uKEnyh
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 21, 2019
