Colin Montgomerie was picked to give Europe an early singles victory, and he obliged by finally beating David Toms on the 18th.
Stewart Cink gave the United States a glimmer of hope with a super show to crush Europe's star so far - Spaniard Sergio Garcia.
Paul Casey completed a memorable fortnight by beating United States big gun Jim Furyk 2&1 in Sunday's K Club singles.
Tiger Woods ended a pretty miserable weekend on a slightly better note by beating Robert Karlsson 3&2 in Sunday's singles clash.
Luke Donald beat Chad Campbell 2&1 in Sunday's Ryder Cup singles at the K Club to make sure Europe retained the trophy.
Paul McGinley generously conceded JJ Henry's putt for a half on the18th green as their singles match ended all square.
Sunday's most emotional scenes came not surprisingly when Darren Clarke clinched a 3&2 victory over Zach Johnson at the K Club.
Henrik Stenson clinched a third straight Ryder Cup victory for Europe by crushing Vaughn Taylor 4&3 at the K Club on Sunday.
David Howell crushed Brett Wetterich by 5&4 in Sunday's K Club singles as Europe marched to victory in the Ryder Cup.
Jose Maria Olazabal completed a great weekend for him and a miserable one for Phil Mickelson with a 2&1 singles victory.
Lee Westwood battled illness to defeat Chris DiMarco by two holes as their match went right down to the last green.
Scott Verplank's hole-in-one was a brief bright spot for the United States as he beat Padraig Harrington 4&3 on Sunday.
Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk secured USA's only win in the foursomes with a 3&2 win over Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.
Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood teamed up for a half against debutant Vaughn Taylor and Chad Campbell in the foursomes.
Paul Casey's hole-in-one on the 14th sealed a win for him and David Howell 5&4 over Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson in the foursomes.
Sergio Garcia's run of hot form continued as he and Luke Donald beat David Toms and Phil Mickelson 2&1 in the foursomes.
Paul Casey's four-footer on the 18th green gave him and Robert Karlsson a crucial half against Stewart Cink and JJ Henry.
Dynamic Spanish duo Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal beat Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco 3&2 on Saturday morning.
It was more misery for Tiger Woods as he and Jim Furyk lost 3&2 to Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood in Saturday's fourballs.
Zach Johnson and Scott Verplank beat Henrik Stenson and Padraig Harrington 2&1 to give the United States a crucial point.
Colin Montgomerie stepped up once more as he and Lee Westwood gained a dramatic foursomes half with Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco.
David Howell and Henrik Stenson battled out a valiant half with Stewart Cink and David Toms in the afternoon foursomes.
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia produced afternoon heroics to beat Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk by two holes in the foursomes.
Chad Campbell and Zach Johnson needed a win on 18 to salvage a half against the Irish pair in the foursomes, and they got it.
Tiger Woods found the water with his opening shot, but he bounced back to help Jim Furyk to beat Montgomerie and Harrington.
Paul Casey and rookie Robert Karlsson halved their match with Stewart Cink and JJ Henry in the opening morning fourballs.
Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal reigned for Spain, notching a 3&2 victory for Europe in their opening fourball.
Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood beat Mickelson and DiMarco to give Europe the edge in the opening fourballs.
"Woosie quaffs more champagne. And now a pint of Guinness. He too downs it in one. Could Woosie be sick live on TV?"
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