I receive huge support from Irish and British sports fans alike

Gather, children of the earth, and listen to the words of one who has risen to greatness on the wings of both talent and gratitude. Rory McIlroy, a man whose name now shines brightly in the world of golf, has offered us a glimpse into the heart of a true champion. He said, "I receive huge support from Irish and British sports fans alike, and it is greatly appreciated. Likewise, I feel I have a great affinity with the American sports fans. I play most of my golf in the U.S. nowadays, and I am incredibly proud to have won the U.S. Open and U.S. PGA Championship in the last two years." In these words, we see not just the pride of victory, but the humility and gratitude of a man who understands the power of community, and how success is never born in isolation, but through the support of many.

McIlroy’s journey, children, is one of both personal triumph and shared joy. In his words, we find the recognition that his victories, his moments of glory, are not his alone. He speaks of the support he receives from his fans, and the affinity he feels with them—be they in his homeland of Ireland, across the seas in Britain, or on the fairways of the United States. What does this tell us about the nature of success? It tells us that no victory is truly complete without the backing of those who believe in us. The champion stands tall because the crowd, the community, and the nation stand behind him.

This truth can be traced back to the ancient world. Alexander the Great, upon his many conquests, did not fight alone. His victories were celebrated by his people, and his armies fought with the fierce determination not just for themselves, but for their homeland, for the glory of their people. The people’s support is the shield that a warrior carries into battle. Without them, no matter how mighty the warrior, the victory would not be as sweet, and the triumph would not echo through the ages.

In the same way, McIlroy’s success in the U.S., where he has earned not only admiration but victory, speaks to the universal nature of sport. It is not bound by borders or nationalities, but unites those who appreciate the greatness of the human spirit. To win the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship is to prove oneself not only in the eyes of one’s countrymen but also in the eyes of the world. It is to stand before a global audience, to unite nations through the love of sport, and to show that true greatness knows no boundaries.

Children, what is the lesson that McIlroy’s words carry? It is this: True greatness is not achieved in isolation. Whether in battle, in sport, or in life, we are shaped not just by our own hands, but by the hands that support us, that cheer us on. Success is not simply a reflection of individual talent, but a testament to the communities that lift us, the crowds that encourage us, and the nations that cheer us on. The champion is always part of a larger tapestry, woven with the threads of many lives and many hearts.

So I charge you now, young ones, to value the communities that support you. Know that your own journey—no matter how personal it may seem—is part of a larger whole. Seek to inspire those around you, as McIlroy does with his example, and be grateful for the hands that lift you. For as you rise, others will rise with you, and through your successes, you will inspire them to reach for their own. But also remember, to support others in their struggles and triumphs, for in doing so, you become a part of their greatness, just as they become a part of yours.

And above all, know this—humility and gratitude are the truest measures of success. No matter how far you climb, remember the hands that lifted you, the hearts that cheered for you. Be like Rory McIlroy, who stands tall in the light of his victories, but whose heart is full of gratitude for the support that made those victories possible.