THE look on the young lad’s face said it all.

Striding towards the next tee box after parring the second at Royal County Down last Friday, one shout pierced the air in the midst of all the commotion.

“Can I have your ball, Rory?”

Talk about right place, right time. Golf-mad Jamie from Skerries was standing five feet away, on the other side of the rope, when McIlroy casually tossed the ball in his direction.

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He had already bagged mementoes from Thriston Lawrence and defending Irish Open champion Vincent Norrman, but this was the one that really mattered. The big Kahuna.

When the ball dropped into his paw, it was like watching Charlie Bucket uncover the golden ticket to enter Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

But inspiration can shape-shift like no other, coming in all forms, often when least expected, often far from big names and bright lights.

Stephen McMullan, and his family, are among the most inspirational people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. For a lot of reasons, really.

Let’s take Stephen in his own right, first of all; Stephen the boxer, which is how he was known before December 10, 2021 when his life, and the lives of all those around him, changed forever.

Because, between the ropes, stood a guy who revelled in the odds being stacked against him. I was ringside for a fair few of Stephen’s fights through........

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