Ryder Cup hopeful Des Smyth watched Europe’s triumph and cried: Don’t tell Ireland we don’t deserve the captaincy in 2006.

Along with Christy O’Connor Jnr and Eamonn Darcy, Smyth is one of the front-runners for the Ryder Cup captaincy when the event comes to the K Club in 2006.

And he is determined that an Irishman must skipper the side when the event returns to this side of the Atlantic.

“It has to be an Irishman in 2006, and as long as it’s an Irishman I won’t be too disappointed if it’s not me,” he said.

“We have made a huge contribution to the Ryder Cup and that was underlined at the Belfry on Sunday.”

“It was a momentous putt. I think they did a great thing by putting what were perceived as our strongest players out together at the start, hoping to build momentum. And that’s exactly what happened. It was unbelievable.”

And he added: “I’m delighted that Paul got to hole the vital putt. It was fantastic. We have had such an influence on the Ryder Cup over the years with Eamonn and Christy and Philip. And now it’s Paul so it’s just fantastic.”

Scot Colm Montgomerie and Germany’s Bernhard Langer have been tipped to lead future European sides but Smyth feels that they can wait until after 2006.

“Bernard is playing too well to be captain in the States in 2004,” said Smyth. “He’s going to be a certainty for that team in two years’ time. I think they have to go with Nick Faldo next time.

“Nick has been our greatest Ryder Cup player along with Seve and Monty - you can toss a coin really. I think if Nick wants it he could get it.

“He failed to make this team and he could struggle to make the next one. The way Bernard is playing he could play on that team for another two to four years, and I think Monty could as well.

Smyth paid tribute to Paul McGinley and the other players who had been criticised before the event because of their poor form.

He said: “There was a lot of talk and some people wanted Fulke to be dropped last year. People are so quick to knock and I’m so pleased for all these players because they put in a tremendous effort.

“The whole thing was just fantastic. I was there for two days and then I decided to come home for the last day and watch it on TV.

“It was the fastest seven hours I’ve ever out in. I sat down and 11 o’clock and then it was six o’clock all of a sudden.

Smyth feels that Curtis Strange will have to take the criticism on the chin after his tactical blunder on the final day.

“You have to call a spade a spade and I personally think Curtis Strange made a mistake. There’s not much point in putting Tiger Woods down as number twelve if the match is over.

“It will be a tip for anybody with a team event and needs to get points. You should put out the men perceived as your strongest players first and get the points on the board.

“A team is a 12-man team. The likes of Phillip Price and Paul and Pierre Fulke all came good and that’s why I say perceived as the strongest players.

“I personally didn’t have doubts that they would come through but at the start of the week you had to fancy the Americans. It is so hard to get points in the Ryder Cup.”

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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