Pirate Galaxy » e together as a family, safety Drue Tranquill said.T

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy looks set to compete at this summers Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after having his mind put at ease over the potential threat of the Zika virus.World No 3 McIlroy is expected to represent Ireland in Brazil as golf returns to the Olympic schedule for the first time since 1904.However, last month McIlroy revealed that he still had concerns over competing - citing the ongoing Zika epidemic as a potential deterrent. The 27-year-old recently became engaged to fiance Erica Stoll and was considering withdrawing from the competition as the Zika virus has been linked to birth defects in new-born babies.Former Masters and US PGA champion Vijay Singh and Australian golfer Marc Leishman have already signalled their intention to miss the games. McIlroy is set to represent Ireland at the Olympics But McIlroy now looks set to compete after having his concerns eased by health professionals. Ive sought out some advice and I had two dead shoulders for about four days last week because I got my shots and whatever I needed to get for going down there, McIlroy told a press conference on Wednesday.Obviously, theres no vaccination for Zika. I think what the health experts are really worried about, its not the individual cases. Fijian Vijay Singh has signalled his intention to miss the games due to the virus Its the fact that 500,000 people go to Rio and they spend three weeks at the Games, they go back out of Rio and some might have contracted Zika and dont know about it, and then all of a sudden instead of it being this virus thats contained in a certain part of the world, its now a global epidemic.And I think thats the real concern. So for me to go down there, even if I was to get Zika, its six months and its a virus and it works its way out of your system.And its nice that we can come back, and [if you] feel like youve had some of the symptoms down there, you can get tested for it, and its either a yes or a no youve had it. Masters champion Danny Willett is yet to decide on his participation in Brazil Im ready to play. I feel like the advice Ive sought out over the past 10 days has put my mind at ease and makes me more comfortable going down there knowing that, even if I do contract Zika, its not the end of the world.It takes six months to pass through your system and youre fine.Also See:Khan: Id box for Pakistan in RioRussia seeks Rio compromiseNew sports recommended for TokyoRio go-ahead for pro boxersAnthony Munoz Bengals Jersey . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Andy Dalton Jersey . 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The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Notre Dame will count this as progress after a week of upheaval and adjustments for a beleaguered defense. They might have been only leprechaun-sized steps forward, but the Fighting Irish will take it.Notre Dame tightened up its tackling and held Syracuse to seven points in the second half, and DeShone Kizer made up for most of the Irishs ills with one of the best passing games in school history.Kizer threw for a career-best 471 yards and the Fighting Irish snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Syracuse 50-33 Saturday.In the first game since coach Brian Kelly fired coordinator Brian VanGorder, the Irish (2-3) allowed more than 30 points for the fourth time this season and 489 yards to Syracuses up-tempo spread offense.I wasnt crazy about going against this offense. I much rather have been going against something a little bit different because of their tempo and how they spread you out and with all the freshman DBs that (we) play. Thats not always the greatest matchup, Kelly said. But I felt like the morale was really good on Wednesday and thats what I was looking to get back. The morale.The tackling on punt coverage still needs work. Syracuses Brisly Estime had a 74-yard return late in the first half that setup a touchdown and left Kelly fuming on the sideline. Estime added a 38-yard return.Kizer made it all OK for Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium.He connected on three touchdown passes -- two to Equanimeous St. Brown -- that covered at least 54 yards each and ran for a score. Kizer hit a rough patch at end of the first half when he took a 17-yard sack that knocked the Irish out of field goal range and threw an interception.Kelly said he told Kizer at halftime to stop trying to force big plays.When we went back out, relaxed up, took his words and ran with it, said Kizer, who threw for more yards in a victory than any quarterback in Notre Dame history.Eric Dungey passed for 363 yards and two touchdowns and ran for three scores for Syracuse (2-3).THE TAKEAWAYSyracuse: The Orange defense has already been shredded by Lamar Jackson and Louisville and now Kizer and Notre Dame. An in-season fix seems unlikely. The middle of the field always seems to be open against the Orange secondary.dddddddddddd.That is a very, very young defense, first-year Syracuse coach Dino Babers said. You have to give them time to grow up.FYI: Clemson and Deshaun Watson play the Orange on Nov. 5.Notre Dame: Kelly elevated Greg Hudson from analyst to coordinator and got more involved in the defense this week. Kelly kept his pledge to play more defensive players and make tweaks. The Irish mixed in some 3-4 alignments and their defensive backs changed techniques to better guard deep routes. Cornerback Luke Cole was moved to nickelback, lining up inside instead of out.There is still work to be done. The secondary, at times playing four freshmen, was porous and the front got little pressure. Positives: The Orange ran for only 3.4 yards per carry and the Irish did a solid job of tackling after the catch. Syracuse had 266 yards in the last three quarters.We need to continue to improve on tackling, defensive lineman Isaac Rochell said. I would say we did better, but we still left a lot out there.ONE FOR THE NEW GUYThe players picked Hudson to lead the singing of the alma mater after the win. They did it acapella since the band didnt make the trip.He put a lot of power in the position coaches hands and he put a lot of power in our hands as player and said, `Lets just come together as a family, safety Drue Tranquill said.TOUCHDOWN PER MINUTEThe first five minutes produced five touchdowns, one for each possession. Plus, Notre Dame had its second blocked PAT returned for a 2-point defensive conversion this season. The Irish did it against Texas, too. Jarron Jones got the block again and this time Cole picked up the bouncing ball and scored.Add it all up and it was 23-13 Irish with 10:06 left in the first quarter.They have a dynamic offense and when they come out its a big splash, Babers said.UP NEXTNotre Dame: The Fighting Irish make their first trip to North Carolina State.Syracuse: The Orange play at Wake Forest.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP---AP college football coverage at www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '