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Sunday, November 6, 2011
An easy but ill-fitting scapegoat for other problems.
Outside of sports – and the plural is used because, as my butcher does often be bemused by, almost anything of a sporting nature will be watched and enthused about in this seat – the other major passion in life is farming. Yes, that fact causes much curiosity and even some derision given my personal circumstances, but it wouldn’t be changed for anything in the world.
Thus, the Irish Farmers Journal forms an integral part of any week’s reading diet. And apart from, obviously, the farming related information contained therein, there always tends to be some quality sports coverage in the Country Living section courtesy of Emmett Moloney who covers a variety of topics in a concise and knowledgeable manner.
Recently, an extra treat was encountered in the midst of the supplement in which soon to retire Irish Rugby legend John Hayes looked back on his career and detailed how he was looking forward to returning to working on the family dairy and suckler farm once his playing days have ended.
Elsewhere in the same pullout, though, a piece that was encountered that rested far less easily. Recently on these pages the virtues were extolled of the International Rules Series and the reasons why it could and should be maintained were outlined. Well, in the farming publication, a well respected commentator from that sector launched into a diatribe as to why it should be scrapped.
The feelings of this column regarding the IRS are well known. Doubtless, many would take the side of those who seek to abolish the concept. Some high profile figures have been annoyingly outspoken to this end. What was irking about the piece attached to the agricultural newspaper was that the nub of the argument thence didn’t stack up.
Right, so Ireland recorded the biggest victory in the history of the hybrid game and their opponents registered the lowest total in the history thereof. But, the competitiveness of the Australian team is something that can be worked upon in future. One needed only to listen to their coach Rodney Eade to be left in no doubt that it would be.
Secondly, the theory that Gaelic Football is not an international sport doesn’t hold water any more. Aside from things like the Asian Gaelic Games which were held in South Korea in early October and strong GAA communities in places like London and all across America and all over the world, sadly, due to current economic circumstances, there are thousands of our Diaspora throughout Australia. The number seems only likely to rise and having something like the IRS out there provides an invaluable link to home and evokes a great sense of Irish pride.
Thirdly – and this was the one that really dug under the skin – was the inference that the players lack interest. Nothing could be more removed from reality. It is worth remembering that Donegal’s Karl Lacey travelled 10,000 miles around the globe in order to be part of it. He never even got to kick a ball but what the win meant to the Irish players – and what the Series in general does – was best encapsulated by the scenes amongst them at the final whistle and the pleadings of vice captain Ciaran McKeever in his speech for it to be retained. Pondering was also engaged in as to Stephen Cluxton made of it all. Chances are the Parnells and Dublin player took every bit as much pride and satisfaction from captaining his country to victory (who wouldn’t?) as those of us who watched him do so did.
The final argument the ‘No’ camp put forward in this case was so odd that it should have been funny but it wasn’t because it just typifies how those opposed to the hybrid game will blame it for nearly everything that is wrong within the GAA. In this case, it was an easy but ill-fitting scapegoat.
Clare’s Senior Hurling Final (won for the second year in a row by Crusheen) recently took place in what can only be described as a mud bath in Cusack Park in Ennis. Pinpointing promotion of the International Rules as the cause of this – as was at least attempted to be portrayed in the Country Living article – is ridiculous.
Of course it’s not ideal to be playing Hurling finals this late in the year but surely the reasoning for that must lie with the powers that be in the Banner County. Their team was out of the race for Liam McCarthy a good while before its’ conclusion. It comes down to competition structure – or maybe lack thereof!
It is probable that many counties have seen their Championships run behind schedule for one reason or another. Yet, those eventually gathered autumnal gold (Kilkenny and Dublin) seemed to get their domestic affairs tidied up quite quickly. Competition structure at club level is the responsibility and at the discretion of each individual county and only they can sort problems if they exist.
Reasoning that International Rules Series was responsible for a county (with no players involved it must be added) having to play their SHC Final in a quagmire makes absolutely no sense. Hopefully, the wishes of the players (most importantly) and other eminent figures such as Sean Boylan and Brian McEniff will be listened to and what steps need to be taken to safeguard the future of the IRS are implemented.
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