Dignity in Defeat – This Is Magnificent

prsmith — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:45:26 +0000

This is magnificent. An All Ireland Gaelic Football Final between arch enemies Dublin and Kerry went all the way before it was won by the Dubs in the last second of the match in front of 82,500 fans. With the game over, the defeated young Kerry player retrieved the ball, carried it up the pitch and presented it to the victorious Dublin goalkeeper who had kicked the winning point.

Photo: Dáire Brennan / SPORTSFILE – click to get prints of this photo

The score was level at 1-11 each (i.e. 14 points each with 1 goal worth 3 points + 11 points across the bar). With just seconds left on the clock, Dublin won a free kick 45 yards out. The Dublin goal keeper Stephen Cluxton, jogged and marched towards what would be the biggest free kick of his life. The referee urged him to speed it up. Time was ticking away. He kicked it over the bar and clean through the posts. Croke Park erupted. Then the final whistle blew and after a 16 year wait Dublin had finally won the Sam Maguire Cup.

As the Dubs fell into rapturous celebrations a young Kerry player, Tomás Ó’Sé, fetched the ball, carried it up the pitch and presented it to the Dublin keeper. What a great gesture of true sportsmanship. What a great player Tomás Ó’Sé is. Congrats to the Dubs, my home town – am delighted but we also acknowledge the dignity and greatness of Kerry’s Tomás Ó’Sé – he too has found greatness.

Welsh Fans Are Amazing

prsmith — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:42:50 +0000

Welsh fans are amazing. Last year, when Ireland finally won our long awaited Grand Slam in Cardiff, I couldn’t help feeling that the Welsh celebrated it as much as we did. A year later I’m back in Dublin for Wales’ last international rugby match ….

…to be held in hidden jewel in the crown which the rest of the rest of the world never knew about, the GAA’s wonderful Croke Park. And once again, our Welsh friends shone. They came in droves. Thousands of red shirts worn proudly and distant Welsh voices singing beautifully in pubs across Dublin. How come the Welsh are such great singers? If anyone knows, please inform me. Even the biggest ugliest, most savage prop forwards quietly, yet proudly, stand up and sing beautifully when called upon. Ireland won and the Welsh celebrated with us. Irish captain, Brian O’Driscoll won his 100th cap.

Their final game before moving back to the world’s oldest international rugby venue, Lansdowne Road. A really sizzling new stadium, in the same old location, opens in the Autumn. But meanwhile, we’ve got one more trip to ‘Croker’ to see Ireland take on the Scots and maybe win a Triple Crown. A great day of sportsmanship is coming as Irish men, women and children cheer on auld England to beat France on Saturday to give Ireland a chance of winning the 6 Nations Championship outright.

Great Moments Of Sportsmanship » Croke park

Dignity in Defeat – This Is Magnificent

Welsh Fans Are Amazing