Continued reliance on veteran stars in Ulster a major concern
Algernon is an ordinary mouse until an experiment in the enhancement of intelligence turns him into a mouse genius. The scientists would create complex mazes, time Algernon in completing these and compare his times to humans. Algernon won every time. Unfortunately his extraordinary transformation eventually fades and passes away, something that could be plotted on a normal distribution curve.
The book (Flowers for Algernon) describing the above is remarkable as it makes you extremely reflective and questions how we view people of different abilities, disabilities and social classes in respect to how we initially find them and when their circumstances change. Great. But what is the connection to today’s game? The GAA is an organisation that has many great players who develop over time from ordinary men into heroes for the generation that follow. For some, the rise is meteoric and beyond what most would consider human. But the return path to normality is also played out in front of those same adoring public, a process I would consider unnecessary and disingenuous to the individual. But why is this happening? Stephen O’Neill and Conor Gormley were both brought on at half- time to steady the ship for Tyrone on Saturday against Down. Benny Coulter entered as a substitute with 25 minutes of the match remaining with the remit of rescuing Down’s failing chances, while yesterday Christy Toye lined out at midfield for Donegal. All these players, I would suggest, are well down the return curve from the peak of their abilities, yet they all seem to have an important part to play in their respective team. What does this say about these teams? I’d suggest that all these teams are in serious difficulties, that they haven’t got the strength in depth to challenge for national honours, that they are just one game away from exposure.
More importantly, what does it say about the state of Ulster football? Ulster football, although competitive, is going through a prolonged transition, with huge turbulence and uncertainty the dominant undercurrent.
I’m not denying that experience is important, in fact it’s necessary, what I am saying is that these great players have now gone past the stage at which their experience can count for something on a field, in respect to their level of contribution in a consistent manner. You may argue that Coulter had a dramatic effect for Down when introduced in the drawn game, which undeniably he did, however wasn’t this more of a reflection on the opposition’s character and ability?
In truth the powerful counties of Tyrone and Down are but distant cousins of recent teams. They lack many leaders and the flair of great players. They have serious difficulty penetrating opposition. In recent years Armagh have been spectators to their own downfall, something I hope to see change in two weeks. It remains that only Monaghan can put together the ingredients necessary to be truly nationally competitive and in doing so seem to have delayed the inevitable return to mediocrity of their long-term heroes — just look at Dessie Moan, for an example.
Watching Donegal and Derry play in Celtic Park, a small tight field, I wondered how many more games of this calibre were left in Ulster. With Donegal fans eulogising the retention of possession and comparing their team to the great Barcelona side in it’s pomp, I wondered that, if I went away for a couple years, would things change when I came back? We must not lose hope. Regardless of how frustrated I was, could you imagine playing the full forward lines for Donegal or Derry, starved of possession, running over and back again trying to lose your marker?
Or worse again, when you lose possession, to have to retreat to the middle of the field en masse before placing that token tackle?
This game swung in Donegal’s favour when Fergal Doherty, the dominant midfielder, got injured after 10 minutes but it was after half-time when they eventually took advantage of it by placing Michael Murphy in full-forward and Leo McLoone at centre half-forward — without doubt their best positions. The ball became more direct and the game was closed out in a 10- minute spell.
People play sport at the top level in part to provide inspiration for those watching.
Our great players, heroes to our kids, have done this for many years, so maybe it is time these players themselves reflect on their careers and what they still can offer.
These are not easy decisions. Ask Tomas Ó Sé.
