Clodagh Finn: Time to recognise sport’s power to unify, connect, and transform

Regardless of what code you follow or which side you favour, sport can evoke the very best of our aspirations

Serena Williams in action during her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich before she had to pull out of Wimbledon due to injury. Picture: Adam Davy/PA

You won’t catch me ribbing England football fans for hankering after glory, World Cup 1966-style, as they ride the wave of excitement ahead of tonight’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark.

And, as any Irish armchair tennis fan knows only too well, our tournament victories are not only history, but ancient history. You have to rifle through more than 100 years of the Wimbledon annals to uncover a triumph for Team Ireland. But, oh what a glorious one. In 1890, the Irish dominated the famous championship, winning the men’s singles, women’s singles, and the men’s doubles titles.