Irish sport needs an academy, claims Deenihan

ALL-IRELAND winning captain Jimmy Deenihan has called for the creation of an Irish Institute of Sport based on the world renowned Australian model.

Deenihan, Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Sport, believes that a similar “professional and scientific approach” must be taken in identifying and developing new sporting talent if Ireland is to fulfil its Olympic potential.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was created in 1976 after the nation failed to win a gold medal at the Summer Games in Montreal. In the years since, the Canberra-based AIS created 35 programmes in 26 sports, many of which did not boast a strong tradition in the country.

Subsequently, Aussie Olympic success has been staggering, with the nation winning three gold in Seoul, seven in Barcelona, nine in Atlanta, 16 at Sydney and 17 in Greece.

“We should look at the formation of an institute or a sports academy and at the Australian or English models,” Mr Deenihan said yesterday.

“We have to become far more professional and scientific in our approach if we are to reach our true potential.

“There is a huge sporting interest in Ireland obviously with gaelic games, soccer and rugby. All our energies are going into those core sports while you look at many Eastern European nations which don’t have such national games and instead are creating world class gymnasts, weightlifters and the like.”

The former Kerry footballer hopes the review of the games in Athens and Sydney will have a positive effect on Irish planning for Beijing and beyond.

“Hopefully after the Athens Review we will have learned from both the games in Sydney and Athens and we will become a first world nation with regard to the Olympics.

“It was disappointing that our athletes under-performed but there were some exceptional performances from the likes of Andy Lee, Derek Burnett, Ciaran Power and Éadaoin Ní Challaráin.

“We were desperately unlucky with regards to our medal prospects, Gillian O’Sullivan, Sam Lynch and Gearoid Towey, who were robbed of success through injury and illness.”

Mr Deenihan also believes that more efforts should be made at primary school level to nurture and develop talents.

He also called on the Olympic Council of Ireland to invite Brazilian marathon runner, Vanderlei de Lima, to an Irish reception to recognise his Olympic spirit and display of fair play.

“I am suggesting that the Olympic Council of Ireland should follow the lead of the International Olympic Committee and recognise the injustice of the attack on De Lima by former Irish priest, Neil Horan. This athlete has shown great grace in dealing with such a distressing occurrence and I think it would be only right for the OCI to honour his decorous conduct with a reception in Dublin.

“Perhaps it may be appropriate for a presentation to be made to De Lima on All-Ireland Final Day at Croke Park as has been the case when honouring Irish Olympians, such as Sonia O’Sullivan, in the past. I am calling on the OCI to quickly consult with the GAA on this suggestion with a view to arranging this honour as soon as possible.”