Special Olympics light up the year
Such an absence of ego was stimulating when measured against the tantrums and foibles of so many of today’s superstars.
The best story of a memorable week has not lost its magic in the telling, so, for the last time ...
The swimming relay competitors were on their marks at the Aquatic centre, poised to plunge, hen the lead Irish swimmer noticed a disturbance in the front row of the stand next to him. He looked across at the face of Brian Kerr as Ireland’s football manager was shown to his seat.
He momentarily forgot the race, waved to Brian and got a thumbs-up in return. He responded likewise and gestured, suggesting he was going to be first down that lane.
When he climbed out of the pool at the other end he was coughing and spluttering in obvious difficulty. A solicitous helper put an arm around his shoulder and enquired how he was.
“How am I?” spluttered our hero, “I nearly f***ing drowned over that Brian Kerr!”
Elsewhere the victory of Tyrone in the football championship was welcome, if only because it brought a first All-Ireland medal for one of the great players, Peter Canavan.
His genius has always enriched a game which over-emphasises the physical at the expense of the skilful.
I was privileged to see his best performance - the 1995 All-Ireland final, of 1995 when Dublin beat Tyrone 1-10 to 0-12.
Canavan kicked seven of Tyrone’s points and was, by a mile, the best player on the pitch. He earned his medal long before this year.
The best match I attended in the past year was the Munster final in which Cork drew with Waterford. For spectacle and excitement it transcended all else, made special by the performances of Johnny Mullane, Tom Kenny and Setanta.
The biggest disappointment was Ireland’s defeat, away to Switzerland n the European Championship. Ireland capitulated without a fight and showed if they are not at their most competitive and energetic they do not have the level of skill to compensate.
Ireland’s rugby team provided several memorable moments during the World Cup but it was Munster who gave us most enjoyment.
There was a refreshing element of mayhem to their play, belying hours of preparation.
Their Heineken Cup campaign was uplifting.
The rise of Longford Town and their FAI Carlsberg Cup success was the most welcome development on the domestic football scene.
Their bright young manager, Alan Matthews, developed an ambitious and focused team and the progress at Flancare Park provided a welcome headline for all in the eircom League.
The big regret on the international scene is that Manchester United, the focus of interest for so many Irish fans, cannot display a greater degree of graciousness and forbearance.
Alex Ferguson has, ostensibly, the best squad of players in England but why the bristling antagonism towards anybody who dares question events at Old Trafford?
The latest example of arrogance is the outrageous suggestion by Ferguson that Rio Ferdinand might never again want to play for England.
Why should he be the one to raise this possibility? Is he attempting to influence Ferdinand in this regard, using this threat to intimidate the FA?
The obvious response is that if Ferdinand is ambivalent about wanting to play for his country then England would be better off without him.
But enough of such dark thoughts in the season of goodwill.
Better to leave you with the following set of wishes:
My wish for ....
*Bertie Ahern: A set of lego with which to build a football stadium.
*The FAI: A lease. Any lease will do.
*Alex Ferguson: A lotto ticket. He obviously needs money, money, money!
*Brian Kerr: A centre-forward and centre-back.
*Gerard Houllier: A team.
*Mary Harney: Get a life.
*Cork County Board: A return invitation to Highbury.
*Munster: A miracle cure for Christian Cullen.
*Finally, best wishes to all for Christmas and the New Year.
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