It was a journey I never thought I would have the privilege of making.

My sporting dream had always been to see the holy grail of golf first hand, and to report from the most exclusive tournament in the world, which I had watched religiously on television year after year.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke are out for more major glory when they play at the 2012 US Masters

I will never forget that magical moment in 2009, the same year Rory McIlroy made his Masters debut, but to be returning to the iconic venue this year feels even more special.

The reason? Because Northern Ireland, is the talk of Augusta.

Add three time Major winner Padraig Harrington to Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and McIlroy, and this really could be another huge week for Irish golf.

Rory is naturally the favourite to make the Masters breakthrough. His odds have tumbled since his win at the Honda Classic and his rise to World number one.

He has since slipped to number two and that is probably no bad thing. It deflects a little of the limelight away from the 22-year-old, as does Tiger Woods' return to winning ways.

Last year Rory proved he's got the natural game to win at Augusta National. Yes, he blew his four-shot lead on the final day in the most dramatic fashions, hitting his ball into the trees, into the creek, and even beside a log cabin.

But before that he played some majestic golf and could have been so far in front he was uncatchable.

And he's back with a massive point to prove. The last time that happened he strolled to the US Open title in record breaking style.

There's no doubt consistency and putting will be key to Rory's success, and his coach Michael Bannon told me recently his young prodigy has made massive improvements in these parts of his game.

So how will Rory handle that now well documented Masters meltdown? With ease in my opinion.

That is why I had a little flutter the week straight after last year's event and backed our Holywood star at 16-1 (he's now 11-2 second favourite). Rory's redemption this week would be one of the greatest golfing stories of them all.

From a Northern Ireland perspective, most of the focus may be on Rory , but I have a feeling it be could be Graeme's turn to challenge for another major.

He may have missed the Masters halfway cut on the last two occasions, but recently the Portrush man has shown a real return to his US Open winning form of 2010.

G-Mac's big strength is his putting. By his own high standards he will have been disappointed with his form on the greens on Sunday in Houston, and not to have taken his chances when be finished runner up to Tiger two weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but there's no better man to sink a putt on the big occasion.

The Augusta greens are the fastest and most difficult in the world. I can vouch for that after getting the opportunity to play the course a few years ago! If Graeme gets his short game firing I believe he will be in the mix this week.

And of course don't rule out Darren. The last time I almost forgot about him he only went on to win the Open. He still banters me about it every time I see him! It's fantastic to see Darren return to Augusta once again, especially with the claret jug in his luggage.

He has been at the top of the leaderboard at the Masters before, and I just hope he recovers from injury in time to take his place in the field to fly the flag for Northern Ireland - the new golfing capital of the world.

This weekend, however, I expect Ulster to carve out that all-important win against Aironi which will take them into the quarter-finals.

It is certainly not a foregone conclusion, but Ulster have beaten Aironi twice this season and their form away from home has much improved - notably those wins on the road against Cardiff, Treviso and Bath before Christmas.

Will there be more scenes of celebration after Ulster play Aironi on Saturday?

A runners-up spot in the group is guaranteed with a four-point victory, a bonus point win may just secure a home draw in the last eight - depending on what form Bath turn up in for their match against Biarritz.

Last week's success at Ravenhill reminded me of those famous European triumphs almost 12 seasons ago which helped propel Ulster to the cup win.

Toulouse, the most successful team in the competition, were beaten twice and Stade Francais once.

"Absolutely fantastic" was how he described the efforts of the fans. And Ulster's current Director of Rugby should know - he was, after all, one of the inspirational leaders of 1998/99.

I would use the same words to describe the team's display against Biarritz. It may not have been perfect but who cares?

I have been bemused this week reading the inquest into Ulster's performance and listening to the criticism of their inadequacies. For me, it was simply about getting a win against quality French opposition - last year's beaten finalists incase you had forgotten - and keeping qualification hopes alive.

When Ian Humphreys booted over his third superb penalty of the game it was job done. Best performance of the season? I think so.

Yes, Ulster squandered try scoring opportunities in the second half, lacked composure at times, were not clinical enough on the opposition line and did not secure a bonus point.

But balance that with a superb first-half performance which nailed the French to their own half and limited them to just six points, an heroic second half defence in weather which best suited the oppositions bigger pack despite what many thought, and the character shown by the players.

A winning habit is often more important than how a team actually plays. And belief is what Ulster has in abundance right now. Belief they can go to Italy and win, belief they can make it out of the group.

And that, for me is what really matters. Of course, I would love Ulster to run in four dazzling tries against Aironi, but to be honest do you really mind what the the performance is like this Saturday? I would settle for a 3-0 win, qualification and more European dreams.

For now.

Fans should be able to catch a glimpse of South African international Ruan Pienaar at Ravenhill this weekend as he samples his first Friday night experience.

The 26-year-old won't be in a white shirt just yet - his playing debut will more than likely to be the following week away to Connacht.

Pienaar is a utility back and can play play either scrum-half, fly-half or full-back but I am told he is coming to Ulster to play exclusively at number nine.

The signing of South Africam scrum-half shows Ulster have big ambitions

"Ruan who?" was the jocular response from the player who presently holds the shirt, when I asked him about Pienaar's imminent arrival.

Paul Marshall, who has made a fine start to this season, will no doubt continue to progress and gain valuable experience by working alongside the Springbok.

Pienaar is undoubtedly one of the most naturally gifted young players in the world game, but he may not turn out to be Ulster's most important signing this year. I think that player is Stevie Ferris.

The Irish international is one of the most in-demand players in the game and his decision this week to spend another two years with Ulster signals his intent to win silverware with his own province.

But will we see short term success this season? I think there are early signs for optimism.

Ulster have turned in, by their own admission, two under-par performaces in the Magners League at home to the Ospreys and away to Aironi.

More importantly, though, they ground out winning performances, and that is something I don't think would have happened last season.

The South African duo of Pedrie Wanneburg and Johann Muller have already made an early impact, as has the return of Tim Barker, BBC's man of the match in the opening game.

I think this current Ulster pack could go on to give any team a run for their money in Europe and be the springboard for Ulster to get out of their group in the Heineken Cup for the first time since 1999.

A formidable front row of BJ Botha, Rory Best and Tom Court - any two from Muller, Barker, Dan Tuohy or Ryan Caldwell in the second row - and what about a dream back row of Wanneburg, Ferris and Robbie Diack? Will it be possible to play all three together? If Wanneburg is back to full match sharpness I think that could be an exciting option.

The point is, for the first time in many years, there is strength in depth allowing coach Brian McLaughlin the ability to rotate and keep players fresh if he wants to.

The same can be applied to the backline. Jamie Smith and Adam Darcy battling it out for the full-back shirt, Andrew Trimble and Simon Danielli on the wings with David McIlwaine and Tommy Seymour challenging, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave and Ian Whitten scrapping for the 12 and 13 shirts, Niall O'Connor or Ian Humphreys at stand-off, and Pienaar at scrum-half.

The Springbok is also a first class goalkicker. Should he take the responsibility and the pressure off Humphreys or O'Connor? Which fly-half should coach Brian McLaughlin select to play with Pienaar? Big decisions to made in the coming weeks, but a nice headache to have.

I am delighted to be anchoring our live coverage of the Magners League games this season and watching the drama unfold from our studio in the new Ravenhill stand. For each match we will have different pundits helping analyse the game.

European Cup stalwarts Tony McWhirter and Andy Ward were our first guests. This Friday night I will have the company of Simon Best and Scotland's Scott Hastings and in future weeks Michael Bradley, Maurice Field, and former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will be at Ulster Rugby's HQ.

I also hope to keep you up to date with all the big news from behind the scenes at Ulster, aand at half-time during the home matches my colleague Gavin Andrews will bring you hhis weekly feature. This week he's profiling Tim Barker.

I look forward to hearing and sharing your views on anything related to Ulster rugby.