This year's Ryder Cup will have a very Irish flavour when the world's top European and US golfers converge on Gleneagles next weekend.

As we all know, Dubliner Paul McGinley has the honour of captaining Europe and his support staff of vice-captains includes fellow Dub Padraig Harrington and Drogheda man Des Smyth.

On the course itself, Ulstermen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will hope to score the points that swing the Ryder Cup in Europe's favour.

Tonight Joe chatted to Des Smyth to look ahead to the tournament and to speak about his long-standing relationship with McGinley which dates back to when his captain was a 17-year-old.

"I remember Paul coming to County Louth's Baltray. His Dad was a member there before him. I heard them talking about how good [McGinley] was going to be and how good he became. We've been friends since then and of course we got a lot closer when he turned pro," said the 61-year-old who described how they gravitated to each other through a shared passion for Gaelic football and how he mentored the young McGinley. 

On the psychology of playing in the Ryder Cup, Smyth - who represented Europe in 1979 and 1981 - said you have to "beat yourself first" rather than focusing on direct opponents.

Smyth also believes that he can "spot talent very quickly" based on his own career challenges and spoke about the moment which made him "prick his ears" as Rory McIlroy emerged.

He also chatted about Seve Ballasteros as an "explorer" in terms of his golf education - which Smyth helped him with. 

The former European Tour golfer also responded to Ian Woosnam's claim that McGinley's choice of a fifth captain is a sign of weakness.