Flood loyal to Padraig

By Brian Keogh

Rumours that Tiger Woods is looking for a new caddie do not tempt Ronan Flood.

Padraig Harrington's bagman says he will never work for anyone else - and that includes the world No 1.

While Darren Clarke's caddie Billy Foster has denied rumours that he will replace Steve Williams at the end of the year, Flood insisted he's never leave his pal Padraig.

He said: "It would be an honour to take that call. I’d be honoured to take a call from the best.

"But as I have always said, I couldn't see myself caddying for anyone else.

"Money is not everything. I enjoy what I am doing now and I don't see it as work. But it would come a job working for Tiger."

(Donadoni remembers for McGrath)

Italian soccer aces Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Donadoni were struggling to cope with the gale force Irish conditions in yesterday's pro-am.

Zola, a 4.4 handicapper complained: "This is terrible. I am not used to it. Last time I came to Ireland was with Chelsea, many, many years ago. It was a friendly somewhere up in the north."

And it was just as tough for eight handicapper Donandoni, who is the current Italian national team coach.

The former AC Milan powerhouse has yet to win a match after three game in charge of the Azzurri.

After being congratulated on his new job by reporters, he smiled and said: "I am a little bit crazy no?

"Everybody knows the situation in Italy now. After the World Cup everybody wants to continue in the same way but it is not easy."

A member of the Italian side the beat Ireland 1-0 in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, he was not so keen to recall the Republic's 1-0 win in the opening game of USA '94 at Giant's Stadium in New York.

He said: "It was a very tough game. I remember the Stadium was full of green. It was a bad start for us but after that I think everything worked out for the team after that.

"Do I remember Paul McGrath? He was the No 5, no? He was a very good player, I think the best player in the Irish team."