Behan one of the great Irish sports stories
Hand up, Barry McDonald’s wildcard in Atlanta ’96 passed me by. Instead all that came to mind was Ray Houghton’s floor routine in ’94 — and its artistic merit was somewhat impaired by Roy Keane quickly mounting him.
Then there was Robbie’s slightly more athletic signature cartwheel, though its bow-and-arrow climax might have been more suited to the rhythmic gymnastics discipline.
Most graceful of all was Tipp’s Joe Hayes in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 1989. Footage of him tumbling the wildcat gleefully after goaling against Limerick has inspired generations of Russian wannabes to fight a stubborn battle with puberty.
But, in truth, there are no Vitaly Scherbos in the mix, or even Lomana Lua Luas. All evidence suggests we are a stiff, unsupple people, bending over backwards only to make excuses for ourselves.
All told, there can’t have been too many role models about then, when a young man faced life in a wheelchair nine years ago, his grasp on the rings seemingly gone for good. Which makes Behan’s bravery in getting this far all the more admirable. One of the great Irish sport stories.
