Hugo Keenan, fullback of Ireland and Leinster, witnessed a robust opposition from the South African team in Madrid’s rugby sevens Grand Final last Friday. Keenan became the primary target, on his return to the game, of the first kick-off as he was considered an easy prey for the South Africans. When Keenan attempted to dismiss the kick-off, Impi Visser intervened to ensure the ball remained in play. An incorrect ruling allowed the South Africans to proceed without interruption; by the time Ireland recovered, South Africa was already ahead by 7-0. As the game restarted, Keenan found himself back in the spotlight.
Despite the challenging start, one could appreciate Keenan’s return to the game after an intense season. In June 2023, he began with a pre-World Cup camp, soon after nursing a disappointing defeat in the Champions Cup final. Now, on the back of three consecutive lost finals, Keenan seemed to be gearing up for the Lions tour, despite the undeniable allure of a much-needed break.
Choosing to relive a sport he hadn’t played for years, Keenan has shown commitment in his quest for an Olympic appearance. While signs of rustiness were visible in his first game back, Keenan joins an Irish team recognised for its silky skills and robust spirit. The team’s opening pool game saw a remarkable late try, resulting in a 26-21 victory. A glimpse of the thrilling potential they bring to the Olympics was seen.
In the upcoming Paris Olympics, Ireland is poised to have its largest-ever participation, with about 113 confirmed qualifiers from 13 different sports fields. According to the informative @IRLOlympicChase platform. If additional entrants in sports such as boxing, athletics, swimming, and other potential categories like shooting, modern pentathlon, and diving come forward, the Irish representation may surge to approximately 125 athletes by the time of the opening ceremony.
To give a bit of background, Ireland sent 116 individuals to compete in Tokyo in 2021, 77 to Rio in 2016, and 64 participants to London in 2012. The increasing success of Ireland in team sports, particularly in hockey and rugby sevens, has considerably increased these numbers. Furthermore, it’s apparent that the extensive reviews and widespread reforms implemented in the 2000s have started to make a significant difference.
Although it’s tempting to jinx, the outcomes of these efforts are expected to ripen in Paris. The most Irish medals at a single Olympics to date were won at London 2012, this includes the five medals earned by Katie Taylor, John Joe Nevin, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, and Cian O’Connor, as well as a bronze awarded late to Rob Heffernan. While Olympic medals are never a given, there will be a mild sense of letdown if we don’t at least match or surpass that tally this time.
Judging by these trends, we might see the largest number of Irish participants and hopefully the maximum Irish medals at the Olympics. However, the flip-side of these figures is that Paris may witness the highest ever number of disheartened Irish Olympians following a single games.
Of the 116 that travelled to Rio, only eight returned with medals – a couple of boxers and six rowers shared two golds and two bronzes. Another twelve were ranked in the top eight of their respective sports, including showjumping, golf, gymnastics, swimming, boxing, and the mixed 400-metre relay. Thomas Barr fell short of the track final by a mere margin, and Brendan Boyce toughed out a tough 10th rank in the challenging 50km walk.
However, 94 competitors went to Tokyo, exerted their utmost effort, didn’t make headlines, and returned without much fanfare. Some of these athletes reached their personal best, while others fell short in their events. Each one of them, however, had to contemplate the profound question – was their journey worthwhile?
Even individuals who manage to garner success don’t always get a positive response, illustrated by the experiences of Kenneth Egan, who openly shares his personal battles post-Beijing where he was hailed as a national champion. Those struggles don’t exempt anyone, including Nevin, who despite winning a silver medallion in the Olympics, was grievously injured in an attack in his native town less than two years post the London Olympics. It’s disappointing when you’ve devoted your life to an endeavour only to discover that the world barely acknowledges you after the pursuit’s conclusion.
A clear support structure for returning Olympians is something that needs to shore up in the realm of Irish sports and more widely in Irish society. Every four years, a group of incredibly passionate, uniquely driven, and shrewd young talents are sent overseas to compete in the world’s biggest event on behalf of our nation, but are often forgotten as soon as the event wraps up.
These individuals commit years to focussing and aligning every aspect of their lives in preparation to compete in the Olympics. Once the event ends, they are left pondering why their lives seem to unravel. They aren’t owed a sequel to their Olympic saga, of course, but their untapped potential frequently feels like an unfortunate waste.
In contrast, Hugo Keenan need not fret over this predicament for the time being. Upon his return from Paris, both Ireland’s Leinster and Ireland set-ups are expecting to profit from the pinnacle of his career for the rest of this decade, irrespective of whether he’d participated in the Olympics.
Indeed, his choice to let himself be vulnerable by stepping into the unknown is praiseworthy. Undoubtedly, he didn’t have to jeopardise his well-deserved standing as one of Ireland’s top rugby players.
That’s the impact of the Olympics. It’s disappointing when such dynamism evoked in people remains untapped.