18/07/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline I'm Noel

Thompson. The headlines this Monday evening:

Home is the hero - Darren Clarke is back in Portrush where the party

has begun for Northern Ireland's first Open Golf Champion for more

than half-a-century. The star arrived back this afternoon along

with his fiance, Alison, and the famous trophy.

When I got on to the 18th green I realised I had four putts from

there. The support I have had all week has been incredible.

In other news: Volunteers join the search for the teenager missing in

Lough Swilly. The 17-year-old went missing from the pier at Rathmullan

at the weekend. His mother is still at the scene.

I don't know what to think. I just want him home.

After a weekend of poor weather followed by yet more rain today,

find out if the rest of the week Less than 24 hours after winning

the Open Golf Championship, Darren Clarke is back home on the North

Coast. This afternoon he showed off his splendid Claret Jug trophy in a

local hotel, where family and friends have been getting warmed up

for the official welcome party Well, our reporter Stephen Watson

watched Darren win at Royal St George's in Kent and travelled back

with him today. Stephen. Yes, Noel, it's been quite a

journey for Darren, in more senses than one. First it was Graeme

McDowell, then Rory McIlroy, and now it Darren Clarke. Three major

winners in 13 months. At the age of 42, Darren Clarke was savouring his

triumph yesterday. He dedicated his victory to his late wife, Heather,

and his two young boys. We have been with him every step of the day.

The morning after the unforgettable night before. Darren Clarke was

back at the scene of his greatest triumph, still trying to let it all

sink in. Look up there. It still there! High it is that feel? That's

OK. C the bit at the top, but the Open Championship? That is the

biggest and best tournament in the world. It is fantastic. Yesterday

he produced a wonderful display of golf. He had the odd bit of luck

But he outplayed the best golfers in the world and by the 18th green

that there was plenty of time to enjoy his success. His family had

watched him every step of the way. A I can put it into words at the

moment. I'm delighted for him. The amount of work that he has put him

into the Gulf, the frustration he has had with nothing happening for

him, all this sudden it has come together. Just absent at the

awesome. The winner of the gold medal and the champion golfer of

He has put the hard work into it and it is now paying off. If you

asked the guys around will Port Rush, he has been practising in all

weathers nearly every day. All week he has been very calm. Overall, he

has been grants. We have had an meal with him every night and he

was as relaxed as could be. How are you feeling? Very proud, very

excited. A what was it like to walk around those last few holes?

Brilliant, but there was so many people it was hard to see. Darren's

mum had a radio so she was able to give us a running commentary.

20 years of trying, Darren Clarke wins the greatest prize in world

golf to complete an unbelievable hat-trick of Northern Ireland Open

The fans have not seen this one coming. This was a surprise 50th

birthday for me. What an achievement to come and see him.

could not believe it. I sat and that stand for six hours to wait

for him coming up. Unbelievable. Was it worth the wait? It was.

suppose your pot you were coming to see Rory McIlroy or Graham Goodall?

- - Graham McDowell. Yes, but this was unbelievable. A party was still

in full swing at 9 o'clock last night. Without much sleep, he

touched down in Belfast at lunchtime today. Then he travelled

home to Port Rush. He told me this was the most memorable moment of

his life. Hand in the claret jug to his sons. It is all for them, not

for me. Darren Clarke sharing that very intimate moment with us today.

Well, Darren is surely one of the most popular winners ever at the

Open. The public have been with him through the tragedy and the

triumphs he's had to come through over the last few years. Austin

O'Callaghan looks back. Darren Clarke grew up near Dungannon Golf

Club. He would spend his summers playing golf and more golf and more

golf. The mantelpiece at home quickly became cluttered with

trophies. His victory over a young Dubliner named Paul McGinley to win

the North of Ireland amateur in will Portrush was a factor in his

decision to turn professional at the age of 22. Even back then he

predicted it would be a long road during a BBC interview. Patience is

going to be something will have to learn. I need to just wait for

things to happen. It did not take long for things to happen. His golf

give him victories and a taste of the high life. He has amassed 14

wins on the professional tour, one of the highlight beating Tiger

Woods, then at the peak of his Paris in the World Matchplay final

in California. He isn't your conventional elite sportsmen. He

smokes and he enjoys a drink. Yet, the want Commission had always been

a major victory. He came close a couple of times, famously he would

name a racehorse after the miss hit tee shot during the Open

Championship of 1997 at Royal Troon, which cost him victory. But shank

on 14 didn't win many races! His temperament was at times the

focus of attention, especially after a bad round of golf. Pity the

poor sports reporter who had asked a question, any chance of a few

words? It is perhaps - - it perhaps reflected his passion for the sport,

never more evident in 2006 just weeks after losing his wife to

breast cancer. He made an emotional return to the golf course helping

Europe retained the Ryder Cup at the K Club. He has competed in five

consecutive Ryder Cups, with teen gossip and to bring out the best in

him. His non-playing captain shall at Celtic Manor last year suggested

that the best of his playing days might be behind him, but that

statement may now have to be revised.

In the hours after his triumph last night, Darren celebrated back at

his base just outside the course in Sandwich. He spoke to me

exclusively for Newsline. The fact he was the 2011 Open Champion still

hadn't quite sunk in. It is a bit weird. From the first day and

lifted a club I have been trying to do this, to try to win a major, but

not just any major, but the Open, the biggest and best of all of them.

To actually come here and win the Open on this course is wonderful.

Some golfers have almost been handed an Open Championship, but

the stallion one up in you must be thrilled? I put myself under

position. There were lots of people in the press-room questioning if I

could stay there. I 16 weeks ago so I have been playing OK. I am old

enough and wiser than I have been, and I was, and I felt comfortable

all day. I was in total control. It was quite difficult because I was

ahead for most of the rounds and that was caught in between

attacking in trying to play sensible. I made a wonderful eagle

on the 7th, then it was a case of don't be making too many mistakes

and that other people come and try to catch me. I wasn't going up too

many flights and was just trying to play smart, which always - - hasn't

always been one of my strengths! I got on to the 17th tee and had a

four-shot lead. I knew I couldn't do anything stupid. How much did

you enjoy the walk up the 18th, to be crowned the Open champion?

Whenever I have my second shot of the edge of the green I figured I

had four putts from there and I could handle that! The support I

had all week has been incredible, to have that many people wish me

well as just been fantastic. emotional time for you as well, of

a seat thinking about Heather as well. Obviously. Heather was

looking down at me saying I told you so! I have got Alison out

telling me you can do it, you can do it. I have been very lucky to

have two wonderful ladies. I was thinking about Heather, but the

bigger side of things is she would be very proud of the two boys and

that is more important than any golf tournament. Darren Clarke, a

very happy man. That is it from Port Rush at the moment. I'll be

back later to discuss the possibility of this famous horse -

- famous course holding a big tournament.

The mother of a Londonderry teenager who is missing presumed

drowned in Lough Swilly in County Donegal has told BBC Newsline she

is devastated at the loss of her only son. Sean McNair, from Creggan

in Derry, was larking around with some mates on the pier on

Rathmullan during birthday celebrations when they decided to

jump in. But the 17-year-old was caught up in strong currents and

has not been seen since. Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish.

Comforted by friends, Jackie McNair can only wait for news on the

shoreline. For her, the past few days have been horrendous. Her only

son, 17-year-old Sean McNair, told her he loved her last week as he

set off injured but the celebrations in the popular seaside

resort. It all turned to tragedy in the early are as of Saturday

morning. The boys, with the drink and then, decided they would have a

bit of fun and that they would jump of the peer. Whenever he tried to

get back, he could not. The current to come. Jason tried to see a 10,

but he couldn't hold on to him. Ryan also jumped in, his friend, to

help him. The current just to come. After an appeal for volunteers,

several hundred people turned up to help in a shoreline search this

afternoon. The operation was restricted to the ground as driving

rain and gale-force winds hampered the scale of the search. It is

impressive the number of people who have turned up, especially with the

conditions. We will do as much as we can and keep it limited because

we don't want any more casualties due to the weather. Local people

said that this tragedy has that the entire community. We had the

funfair here and this in is the tragedy happened we just closed a

last war we could do to help. We are devastated. There is a dark

cloud hanging over this area at the moment, but the response has been

tremendous. People yesterday did not want to intrude on the family's

grief, but they wanted to the do something. Yesterday there were

making sandwiches and Sepang so one and today they have an opportunity

of an organised search. For a mother traumatised but the events

of the weekend, at the moment there is no end to her pain. Just to get

him out of the water and home. But just one delay interest. It'll be

so hard to do what I have to do. I don't know how I I will do it. Will

need all the support I can get. He is looking down on me and I hope he

is going to give me strength to do all I have to do. A difficult time.

Offal, offal. I never thought I would be burying my son. I would

Still to come on the programme: The portrait of the Queen in Dublin

which will soon be part of her famous collection.

And celebrations as Donegal win the Ulster championship for the first

time in 19 years. The Secretary of State has told

families of those killed in the Kingsmills massacre in 1976 that he

will not call on the police to reopen the investigation into the

murders. He spoke to some of the families this morning following

last month's report by the Historical Enquires Team which

found that the IRA was responsible for the sectarian murder of 10

Protestant workmen. Mr Paterson said he could not override the

operational independence of the police. Families also met Assistant

Chief Constable Drew Harris. He agreed to study a file handed over

by the families and agreed to meet them again in six weeks.

At the end of the day, all we want is someone to have the common

decency and courage to come back with us and give us information. We

have had nothing through the years. Something is better than nothing. I

don't care what it is but someone has to take responsibility of

Kingsmills and what happened and it has never been done before. Now is

the right time for that to be done. It was almost universally hailed as

one of the most significant moments in the troubled history of Britain

and Ireland and now the Queen's visit to Dublin this summer has

been immortalised on canvas. The Queen has accepted the gift of a

painting marking her state visit by Michael Hanrahan. It makes him the

second living Irish artist in the Royal Collection, one of the

world's most valuable. On display in Dublin but bound for

Buckingham Palace because the Queen has accepted a gift of a painting

from this artist, the only painter granted access to cover the state

visit. I wrote to the palace, explained who I was and I had been

accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and cent of the

letter telling them I had done seven paintings and I would love to

donate one to her Majesty. It was such a fantastic visit. The Queen's

deputy private secretary replied. couldn't believe my eyes, it said

the Queen would be very pleased to accept my painting. It makes him

one of two living Irish artists represented in the British Royal

Collection. A painting is so different from a photograph and

that what makes it unique. The painting just gives you that much

more and is that much more special. The painting has also impressed the

public. It is lovely and great that somebody local has captured the

moment and it was really a wonderful time, we were so excited

to see the Queen over here. garden of remembrance commemorates

those who died in pursuit of Irish independence. The wreath-laying

ceremony was an emotionally charged moment. It was a moment of

reconciliation, of respect for each other's death and a very important

moment. For both the Queen and President, this is very special.

The Queen has got it now. Michael is planning to deliver the painting

in prison. I think our children's children will look back on this,

when the Queen touched down and one of the hearts of thousands of Irish

people and I am the painter and my painting goes and hangs in

Buckingham Palace. I can't do any better than that!

Back now to Portrush where the Royal Golf Club is preparing for a

big party tomorrow to mark Darren Clarke's Open success. But will it

have any lasting impact on the town, can we expect hordes of visitors to

Northern Ireland now Darren has become our third major's champion

in just over a year. Natasha Sayee is on the north coast.

Freshly printed posters already out of date, a course now there's

another big win to add to the list. This is where Darren Clarke

finessed his game, on a weather beaten greens at Royal Portrush.

What does a third major champion do for Northern Ireland Tourism?

Because we have had the concentration of the championship,

it means there is a real interest in Northern Ireland and Jess, they

will want to come to the courses that will pour crash that they will

also want to go to Dungannon and to the courses were people started and

that is a real boost for tourism. We have never had reliable weather

but playing for years in the wind and rain may have helped Darren

Clarke win at the weekend and is actually part of the appeal with

golfers from across the world setting themselves against the

elements today. We're touring Ireland and playing golf. It is

lovely weather, as you can see! We're looking forward to it. Coming

from sunny Singapore, this is unusual. It is wonderful that

Darren Clarke won so we were hoping to be able it to catch him. He will

be around tomorrow so we will have to go out there and catch a game in

this lovely weather. Being Irish myself, and so proud of the Irish.

I think it is fantastic for a small country to have three champions, is

absolutely wonderful. It is not as the tourists who are excited, there

is a real feeling of confidence at Royal Portrush. Could it host the

Open again? It is not just about the golf course, is about the

infrastructure. This set me would be room for the tented village in

Portrush. Would it be that commercial success it? Very

important to us. But we're not stupid, we hear the emotion, we

hear the pressure and we were to deliver it. The open possibly on

the cards then but there is a sense here that the decision-makers need

to seize the moment. Three airports are all within an hour, you have

very access from could Britain, he have many hotels and properties,

you have highways that are fabulous. There is no reason, a fantastic

club house and facilities at Royal Portrush, one of the finest links

in the world. Why shouldn't the open be held here? I hope it is

held sooner rather than later. could be a decade or more before

the Open is hosted here. So, that gets us plenty of time to update

our road signs. Back to Royal Portrush now where

Stephen Watson has heard word of potentially exciting news for the

venue. Nerves have been afoot today to try

and secured a big tournament here for Royal Portrush, I am joined by

the past captain, what can you tell us? Everybody here is absolutely

delighted with Darren Clarke's success and Rory McIlory and Graeme

McDowell as well but obviously, we are looking very seriously at the

prospect of a major professional tournament coming here to Royal

Portrush. Obviously, the long-term ambition of many of us here, we

would all love to see the Open Championship return to Royal

Portrush. As a starter, and Irish Open here would be fantastic. You

have had government ministers here today and are expecting Martin

McGuinness tomorrow, can we expect some big news? Again, the

government ministers have been here, they're all very excited about the

prospects for Northern Ireland, in terms of how we ever going to

promote ourselves around the world and nothing could be more exciting,

nothing in our minds could be better than to host a top-class

professional golf tournament. have had big golf tournaments here

before but surely we have got to strike now won the and is hot -

three major champions in the space of 13 months, it is crying out for

a major tournament. These are quite remarkable times. Find nobody

really wants to get ahead of themselves, we listened with great

interest to Peter Dawson Bosworth interview yesterday on the BBC.

They are also going to look seriously at the prospects of

bringing the open back across the Irish Sea and they will certainly

receive a very warm welcome. Thank you very much indeed. Back now to

the studio. Gaelic football - the last time

Donegal won the Ulster Championship, it was 1992. Since then they have

lost five finals and endured 19 years of heartache until yesterday.

It is done and dusted, they have delivered. The day belongs to

Donegal! Some say the provincial championships have lost their

appeal but the players and the people of Donegal beg to differ. A

drought spanning two decades ended yesterday and resulted in 22 year-

old Michael Murphy becoming only the 5th Donegal man to lift the

Anglo sold Cup. We started off playing hard against Derry. They

really hit it and brought us back. Maybe it turn things at the start

of the second have so we're just delighted and relieved.

controversial turning point came immediately after half-time. Danny

Devon colliding with Michael Murphy and the referee awarded a penalty.

The Derry players were incensed but Murphy hit the net many he has won

as both a player and a manager. always loved this championship, I

felt that we never won enough down to the years and it is my

phenomenal to be a part of this management team that is continuing

to taking this championship to Donegal. That enjoyment is clear

for all to see as Donegal are also's first side into the 2011 All

Ireland quarter-finals. It is looking drier for the rest of

the week. The weather has been awful really yesterday and today.

There are still in the middle of July but the chart we have at the

moment doesn't belong in the middle of July. I expect to see this chart

in autumn. This is the low pressure and brings with it plenty of cool

and cloudy skies. Most of the rain has now moved away, still some

dampness to come in places this evening, particularly in the West

and up towards them of coast. A hint of brightness across Belfast

and eased down but otherwise, bits and pieces of rain coming into the

night. Still a breeze in places tonight as well, especially along

the north coast. That will continue to be a feature of the weather

tomorrow. Dragging a lot of cloud of the North Atlantic but the main

thing is, it will be a much drier day compared to today. They still

could be one of two shires especially in the north coast and

that may feed through for the sad but was this will stay dry. Because

of the north-west to the wind, there's more chance of seeing a

little bit of sunshine, the best of any temperatures up to 17 degrees

but more typically 15 or 16, well below average for the time of year

but it is a little bit better than today. Many places at least will be

much drier compared to today. That killed, cloudy weather will

continue to tomorrow evening and on Wednesday, we still have that

northerly breeze so still a fair bit of cloud. Some sunshine here

and there. Temperatures very slowly coming up just a little bit. We

should get more sunshine by the time we get a thirsty. Maybe the

best day of the week but with temperatures creeping up a little

bit, they are likely to see some more rain. Temperatures still on

the cool side but at least it is getting drier.

They headlines: Darren Clarke is back home after winning the Open

Championship, he is only the second offer from Northern Ireland to win

the famous trophy. Volunteers have been helping in the

search for a teenager from Londonderry who went missing after