Why sport is more than a political football

AS examples of naked political opportunism go, few can match Charlie Haughey’s decision to call for the government’s private jet 24 years ago and make a dramatic dash for Paris.

Stephen Roche had just won the Tour de France, and the then Taoiseach made it his business to be on the Champs Elysees podium beside him.

Haughey’s hijacking of such a moment is not unique. It is merely the most memorable and cringeworthy example but he had done little or nothing to merit the reflected glory.