Sunday 24 June 2012

OSM - No Shame Losing to World's Best


This week another Irish team will return to the home of austerity, feeling perhaps they have failed to cheer it’s people, or worse, lived up to their own high standards. 

None more so than team Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll who, had he wanted, would no doubt have been adopted by the All Blacks had he sought the chance, he is so talented. For him to leave the pitch in Hamilton on Saturday bearing the physical scars of war and internal wounds no doubt, from a record defeat will make the day job tougher over the coming days and weeks. The reoccurring nightmare of nine All Black tries no doubt an unwanted vision very time he closes his eyes on the long flight to Dublin. 

Unlike the Republic of Ireland squad returning from Poland, who departed Dublin Airport out of sight from their fans, the hope is that the rugby squad will return to their homeland through the normal arrivals channel. For there is no shame in losing to the world rugby champions and why the soccer squad felt compelled to do other wise is not clear. For they too lost to the world champions in their sport, Spain. Also in a 4-0 hammering. 

For a nation so fond of writing make believe and sharing tall tales it seems that the perceived failure in Poznan and Gdansk over recent weeks at EURO2012 maybe written out of the history books. 

As a sporting people we have become accustomed to failure on the world stage, given the nation’s size, resources and diverse range of sports in which we compete, and losing to the best in the world should not be a surprise. Rather an acceptance of the tangible gulf in class and a measurement of what work needs to be done to lessen that gap as the years pass by. Compensated by the knowledge that there are a range of sports in which being best in the world is also common place in Ireland. Just ask boxer Katie Taylor

Although there must have been times in the early days that Katie and her father Peter would have loved to avail of the anonymous side exits at Dublin Airport to slink out so as to avoid meeting people. Those times when the hurt of defeat seemed greatest and the times when the waiting press were but a far off cry - albeit the pain inside and disappointment was very real. Something which all true competitors feel and learn over the years, long before the glory and fame ever arrive on the scene 

Nonetheless those days need to be managed as they spur each one of us to improve. Ireland’s Sonia O’Sullivan being a classic example. 

In a glittering athletics career with some memorable moments, the nations greatest female runner also suffered some ignominious defeats live on television. Yet had the courage to face fans, followers and media on each and every occasion. Even at times she was most fragile the Cobh runner stood up to fulfil those needs of the media that supported her, the writers that transcribed every ambition and photographers who captured her every twitch. Which as an individual athlete is by no means easy. 

Not unlike boxer Bernard Dunne who felt compelled to even appear on RTE’s Late Late Show within days of his dramatic Dublin defeat in September 2009 to number one contender Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym. Like Taylor and O’Sullivan, Dunne knew the people who had supported him during the good times. As in failure the real strength is to thank those same people for their belief, regardless of the result. 

Is that not the way Ireland used to be perhaps? Or still is? Or should still be? 

Although one Irish fault is an overcooked sense of defeatism often nurtured by tales of the smallness of our nation, we can also be victims to our biggest downfall, a misplaced uber confidence at times. 

In sport at least, our greatest moments have been when we were underdogs, striking in battle during that most silent moment before the dawn and catching our unsuspecting foes at their weakest. On those days we rise higher than the script normally ever allows, and give the world a rude awakening in whatever sport or event it maybe. 

Names, dates and places abound, Ronnie Delany Melbourne 1956, Barry McGuigan 1985 Stuttgart 88, Giants Stadium 1994, Eamon Coghlan Helsinki 1983, Stephen Roche Champs Elysee 1987, Twickenham wins in 2007, Grand Slam in 2009, Padraig Harrington 2007 at Carnoustie, Graeme McDowell in 2010, Rory McIlroy at US Open in 2011 and Darren Clarke the same year at the Open Championship. To mention just a few….. 

But the days at EURO 2012 presented Ireland in it’s weakest form, one where the words belief and winning were mixed up and made far too inter-changeable. 

The belief too by the Football Association of Ireland [FAI] that Giovanni Trapattoni could perform miracles at a major tournament seemed bogus, given his poor record in the past with Italy. So much so, that ahead of the games against Italy, Croatia and Spain the sense of underdog was so lost the nation became too cock-a-hoop. The reward three decisive defeatism all of which maintained the natural order of things. 

That sense of displacement though was made worse when the squad returned home and elected to avoid meeting the fans, media and supporters who one and all had travelled to Poznan in hope. 

Might mean an unfriendly FAI friendly when the team plays Serbia at the Aviva Stadium on August 15th. 

Anyone buying or selling tickets? 

Not likely.

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