Shane Lowry is the toast of Clara, Offaly, Ireland and Europe after his birdie on the 18th at Bethpage Black retained the Ryder Cup for Europe.

Subjected to a torrent of abuse along with fellow Irish man Rory McIlroy during Saturday's four-balls, Lowry silenced the boisterous home crowd by holing the decisive putt before Europe went on to win the tournament outright by 15-13 after withstanding a dramatic fightback from the United States.

Trailing by seven points heading into Sunday's singles session, the hosts stormed back into contention before Lowry showed nerves of steel to tie his match with Russell Henley after delivering the crucial half-point Europe needed to retain the Ryder Cup, which will be staged at JP McManus' Adare Manor in two years' time. 

It marked another incredible sporting chapter for the Lowry family. Shane's father Brendan was part of the Offaly team that famously denied Kerry a five-in-row of All-Ireland SFC titles in 1982 and was one of the first to congratulate him after his decisive putt. Indeed, Shane's victory jig has already drawn comparisons with Brendan's after Seamus Darby's dramatic winning goal in '82!

"I've been so lucky to experience amazing things in this game," an emotional Lowry told Sky Sports before halves for Ricky Hatton and Robert MacIntyre secured the 15-13 victory.

"That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life, honestly. I just can't believe that putt went in.

"I said to (caddie) Darren (Reynolds) walking down 18, I said, 'I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life here'.

"The Ryder Cup means everything to me. Honestly, I've won the Open in Ireland (in 2019); it's amazing, it's a dream come true.

"But the Ryder Cup for me is everything. To do that there today on the 18th green in front of everyone, it was so hard out there."

Lowry is a generous sponsor of Offaly GAA who captured the mood of the nation in a two-word social media post: 'Aboy Lowry'.

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