For those of us who lament our passion for sport (and I mean myself and the likes of Mary, Pádraig, Cholmcille, Larkin, Ghobnait and Fionnbar), we begrudgingly tolerate post-match interviews. This shared sigh is particularly relevant with the approaching summer, and in light of the GAA’s mixed sporting agenda which spans across various disciplines including those unmarred by doping scandals, such as the Olympics and the forthcoming Euro Cup.
Of course, there are cricket enthusiasts, but observing a match requires the use of binoculars given the expansive pitch. Rugby fans right now are nursing their hurt pride after defeats from more superior competitors, and golfers inevitably go unnoticed due to the general obscurity of the sport.
Apologies in advance! But once again Mayo footballers have failed to secure victory in the All-Ireland finals – a tradition seemingly as old as Cúchulainn himself. Similarly, Cork’s team has just stopped remembering that triumph is feasible, and hurlers somehow lose momentum as the day turns into evening. Despite this, their predictive nature often outshines ambiguous weather forecasts. Every statement they make seems laden with meaning that you are compelled to analyse it like a cryptic puzzle.
Before any match, when posed with a query about the outcome, the verdict is usually the same – ‘a result’ is expected. In soccer, a ‘result’ often implies an equally shared scoreline of nil-nil. Despite this seeming indifference, there is always room for commendation. Take praise-worthy manager, Brian Cody, who embodies the ideal that no matter large the crowd or daunting the opponent, every game is played to win – a principle no Corker can fault.
Few team managers or athletes alike ever reveal anything substantial about their expectations or reflections of a match. Drowned amongst the incessant humdrum of interviews, one may mention their ‘luck’ in scraping by or ‘just crossing the line’. It’s puzzling to discern which line they’re referring to; could it be from rugby, or equine racing, or simply a figurative boundary? Could it represent a significant transition point, akin to era before wearable nappies, or perhaps it’s merely a poorly worded metaphor? Only they could tell.
Wouldn’t it fascinate you if a competitor confidently asserted, ‘We precisely defeated them because we are superior! We exceed them by seven in terms of being skilled, resourceful climbers, they’re merely a group of innocuous individuals.’ Wouldn’t it be delightful to hear something that would give the same magnitude of joy as their outstanding performance on the field just moments ago?
Let’s now observe from inverse perspective.
Irish athletes at the recent Europe games held in Rome. We’re aware of their tremendous success, their manipulation of the oysters and arcs as well as their accomplishment of removing the apex berry from the moon’s gem. However, when they were questioned, they ceased to be athletes but individuals filled with pride for their accomplishments, acknowledging their worth not hiding the feeling that their endeavours were for everyone, not just themselves, but for the entirety of Ireland’s people of all races, without prejudice.
And such eloquence they displayed! In particular, Ciara Mageean and Rhasidat Adeleke, with all athletes expressing themselves with a poetic fluency, demonstrating the undulating journey of their victories and their experiences while overcoming obstacles.