Sport has the ability to create an artificial ‘us’

The drama of knowing a particular game like Ireland’s famous victory over Italy will be remembered forever only adds to the occasion, writes John McHenry.

It seems like a good time to be a sports fan. With so many live matches and so much coverage of sport on television, it’s hard to stay current on everything, be that GAA, Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Euros, whatever.

Some on the outside wonder what it’s all about? How can people invest so much time, money and effort into an outcome they have no hope of influencing? Why is their demeanour or their mood so influenced by a result? Why do they get so animated when talking about their favourite players or teams?