* McDowell joins McIlroy in saying no to Olympics
* Harrington next in line and keen to go (Recasts with Harrington ready for Rio)
LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington stepped up for Ireland on Thursday after compatriots Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy ruled out playing in Rio when golf returns to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years.
"It would be a huge honour for me to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games, having played an active role in golf's bid to be re-included in the Olympic Games programme," said Harrington, a three times major champion, in a statement.