Tag: #OlympicGames
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Adeleke absence a blow ahead of World Championships
On Sunday morning last, Dunboyne Athletic Club hosted a special event to honour three club members – Gerry Reilly, Sarah Treacy and Emma Costello – who represented Ireland at different Olympic/Paralympic games going back as far as what I think was Los Angeles in 1984 in Gerry’s case. Each of the honourees spoke about their…
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It’s up to you to strike when the iron’s hot to your own benefit
There was a line doing the rounds some time ago – presumably with the stats to back it up – which maintained that Ladies Gaelic Football was the fastest growing sport in the country. In terms of participation numbers. Very understandable given the backing affixed to the sport by the likes of Lidl and TG4.…
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Barr hits the net regarding double standard hypocricy
There are certain observations, often long-held, which you can’t publicly utter until you’ve stepped away from the situation to which they are related. Now read on… Believe me, by the time my 11th season as P.R.O. and/or Asst. P.R.O. of St Peter’s GAA Club in Dunboyne that there were a cohort – God knows how…
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And the band played some NKOTB but the Golden Oldie stole the show
“For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs, no more Waltzing Matilda for me”. The resonance of the above lyrics with yours truly scarcely requires any further elaboration. Their aptness felt most keenly regarding areas such as participation in sport and the inability to board and/or drive any vehicle other than the…
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From Minor to Major
Ben Johnson’s now disgraced victory notwitstanding, the only proper memory of the Seoul Olympics in 1988 probably stems from the basketball. Yes, the fascination had taken hold back then. By ’92 in Barcelona, the Dream Team were a huge takeaway from the games for me, but there was also Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough in…
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Last vestiges of decency lost in pit of squaller
There are certain things in life where, generally speaking, there’s no allowance for middle ground. The most obvious example of that being party politics. Largely speaking, you were either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael and there were very clear lines in the sand pertaining to same and they weren’t for crossing. Though in truth there…
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In some cases there’s no need for grading
Ah, the Olympics, the great mind wrestle for those of us invested in sport. How much of what you see do you believe? Do you trust the athletes? Same question, but even more pointed with regard to the coaches? Now, maybe I’m an idiot at worst, or a sporting romantic at best, but, matters tend…
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Phelps says what we all think amid more Chinese whispers
Such was the Irish efficiency on the global athletics stage when I was growing up that seeing the likes of Sonia O’Sullivan or Catherina McKiernan or Rob Heffernan or Derval O’Rourke feature prominently at major televised events was almost nonchalantly taken as a given. That’s not arrogance, just faith and confidence. Until that one occasion…