Sport in society - Divisions undermine prospects

THE central, uplifting and sometimes divisive part sport plays in the Irish psych and life was plain to see on at least three occasions over last weekend.

On Saturday supporters of disgruntled, striking hurlers marched through Cork while, at the same time in what must be a modern irony of sorts, Ireland’s rejuvenated rugby team gave us all something to cheer about when they, with considerable commitment and elan, beat the French in Croke Park.

This victory was a very welcome antidote to the prevailing gloom and one that will allow us to pontificate with undeniable authority for the next few weeks about the prospect of an Irish Six Nations’ grand slam.

In Offaly football boss Richie Connor resigned with his dignity intact after it became apparent that a powerful cabal of players would not endorse him as their team manager.

It is natural too that the politics of our sports should be informed by another of our cherished national pastimes: the split.

This weakness was all too evident again yesterday when an independent review of Ireland’s preparations for and performances at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games was launched in Dublin. Though the Sports Council commissioned the report, the Olympic Council of Ireland did not even attend the launch.

The objectives — amongst others — of these organisations is to prepare Irish competitors to perform at the highest level of international competition. It is utterly incomprehensible and counterproductive that these organisations do not operate as one.

International sport opens a window on a country and the performances of our international competitors has an great influence over how this country is viewed. Docile and incompetent performances suggest a docile and incompetent country and if that is how our international sports people perform then we should not be surprised if we are all viewed in that light.

Though Beijing marked our third-best Olympic campaign performances — apart from our wonderful boxers — were well below what the various competitors were capable of. These disappointments came just months after our rugby team gave an abysmal performance at World Cup 2007, the legacy of which endured until last Saturday.

Yesterday’s report suggested that many of the athletes were psychologically under-prepared and became overwhelmed by the scale of the event.

The power of unity and positive psychology was seen to good affect in Croke Park on Saturday when many of the players, almost humiliated by Georgia in the World Cup, beat a super power of the game. The mind set changed and the performance changed utterly.

Why can’t we all learn the lessons? Might we learn them in time for London 2012? Unity of purpose and effort are the paths to success and put performance rather than politics centre stage.

What a change that would make for our athletes, hurlers and footballers — what a change for all of us.