So, what do you do to stop the traffic on Dublin's dockside? Yesterday, the feat was achieved by producing the Ryder Cup, placing it in the hands of Pádraig Harrington and, by simple coincidence of course, having him stand in front of the LE Eithne - about to leave shore for a transatlantic trip to Argentina to honour Admiral William Brown, the Mayo-born founder of that country's navy - as a symbol of Europe's resistance.

As the official golfing ambassador for O2, who have upgraded their sponsorship to become an official partner of the Ryder Cup which takes place at The K Club on September 22nd-24th, Harrington brought the most prized trophy in team golf to the company's new headquarters on Sir John Rogerson Quay and then admitted that he still has "a lot to do" in his quest to automatically make Ian Woosnam's team for the defence of the trophy.

As things stand in the two distinct qualifying systems used to determine Europe's team, the Dubliner - who has played on the last three Ryder Cup teams, twice emerging as a winner - is 12th on the European points list and 13th on the World points list. "To be honest, there aren't that many spots (available). I think you're looking at Monty, (Paul) McGinley and (David) Howell who have (effectively) qualified . . . so, you've got nine more spots. I think it is probably better to see three guys in the team who would have qualified anyway, so that means the nine places are still open."

As of now, it would seem that Harrington's more natural route to securing his automatic place will be off the world points list, particularly as his early-season schedule will see him play mainly in the United States, although he is considering adding on extra European Tour events (most likely the British Masters) to, as he put it, "give myself a chance of qualifying off both (tables)".

Just over halfway through his winter hiatus from competitive golf, Harrington - who is undecided on whether to make his debut appearance of the year next month at the Los Angeles Open on the US Tour or the Malaysian Open on the European Tour - expects the United States, who haven't won the trophy since the 1999 match at Brookline, to be a different proposition on this occasion.

He explained: "The fact we've won the last two matches means the US will be really motivated, they'll be up for it.

"They'll not be underdogs, but they'll have a little extra adrenalin; they're going to have matched up pairings from the President's Cup, things working in their favour.

"This is a difficult one for Europe to win . . . the United States will come out with all guns firing. They'll be up for it. It is going to be a tough, tough (ask) for us to win.

"It's going to lead to a very close, exciting match. (But) Winning the last two hasn't helped the chances of winning this one."

However, Harrington is convinced that Woosnam was the right man for this year's captaincy.

"He was the obvious choice, if we weren't going to have an Irishman. Ian has given so much to Europe, won his major, played his Ryder Cups, and deserves his Ryder Cup captaincy.

"He will be more of an emotional captain, a man who will lead the team. I feel that's where his strength will be. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and will help motivate the team in that way.

"He's different to Bernhard (Langer), a different character. Bernhard covered all the bases, was organised. I'm sure Woosie will do that with his team but I see him as being much more of a emotional leader. You sort of expect a slap on the back from Woosie, him saying, 'let's get going'."

With one eye on ensuring his qualification for the Ryder Cup, Harrington is starting to chomp at the bit to get back to tournament play.

"I am anxious to get getting again," he admitted. "Part of that is because I've had a rest, and part of it is that golf has started up and you see it on TV and say 'I wish I was there'.

"But that's what I'm looking for in my break, to find that enthusiasm again. I'm keen, very keen, to get going. There'll be nothing new in my swing, I'm just trying to improve on everything.

"I'm just trying to gather the best of what I have had over the years and put it all together really."

Harrington's first outing will be either in Malaysia or Los Angeles, followed by an extensive stint on the US Tour (where he won twice last year) that will see him play the Accenture Matchplay, defend his Honda Classic title and play the Doral Open before a week's break is followed by the Players Championship, the BellSouth and the US Masters.