Late Late Show return sees host Patrick Kielty tee off with Rory McIlroy in his native Co Down
The Late Late Show is back and Patrick Kielty is settling into his second series as the host of the iconic talk show.
The Dundrum presenter was in top form as he stepped out to a lively audience on Friday night for the first show of the series and was straight in with his usual humour.
The new series saw the introduction of Patrick's Late Late Legend Award which will be presented each episode to people who have made a positive difference across Ireland and beyond.
Read more: Patrick Kielty’s sons have a funny new habit after first year hosting Late Late.
On the jam-packed show tonight, Patrick was joined by comedian John Bishop, members of the Irish Olympic and Paralympic teams - including NI's own Rhys McClenaghan and Philip Doyle - and folk music royalty John Sheahan and Phil Coulter.
Viral sensations Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew lit up the stage as they performed their hit The Spark which gained over one billion views across the world over the summer and were presented with the first Late Late Legend Award.
After a busy few days at his native Co Down visiting the Amgen Irish Open hosted at Royal County Down, Patrick was delighted to finally be able to get Rory McIlroy on the show - albeit prerecorded from the fairway.
Kitted out in his best golf trousers, Patrick and Rory took to the golf course to chat about Rory's return home, the Olympics and their support for the Cancer Fund for Children.
Rory said: "Toyko during Covid was hard to get the real Olympic experience but Paris this year was incredible.
"I had a real good chance for a medal on the last day that didn't quite materialise."
When asked if attending the Irish Open was "pressure on or pressure off" for the Holywood golfer being on home turf, Rory said that the love he feels being at home relieves some of the pressure.
"I've won the Irish Open before which is lovely as well but I still feel the pressure because I want to perform - I don't get the chance to play in front of my home fans very often.
"When I do get the opportunity, I try so hard to play well I sometimes have to remind myself that if I just go out and play my game, that is going to be good enough."
Patrick touched on the busy year Rory has had, not just professionally but in his personal life after news over the summer that he had filed for divorce from his wife before the couple decided to try and stay together.
On his decision to take some time off, Rory continued: "There's been a lot going on this year golf wise and personal wise as well.
"Sometimes life can get a lot and it can get too much and I had to take a little bit of a break and get away from the game more than anything else.
"Golf and the business of golf had become all-consuming for me for the last couple of years and I needed to take some time away to realise what was actually important to me - friends, family, enjoying myself.
"Enjoying the fact you were this little boy in Holywood and you've grown up to be whatever it is I am and I need to enjoy that at times."
Patrick shared a clip from 26 years ago when a young Rory showed him a thing or two on the golf course before the two lifelong Manchester United fans competed to see who would be forced to wear a Liverpool jersey.
Despite Rory joking that Patrick's "technique hasn't improved" since 1998, he ended up hitting the ball closest to the hole forcing Rory into the losing jersey.
The first episode back also gave us a date confirmation for this year's Late Late Toy Show which will be held on December 6 with applications to appear on the show now open.
The Late Late Show returns next Friday night at 9.35pm on RTÉ and RTÉ Player
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