TRAGEDY IN CORK
We talk in terms of bodies on the line, and the tragedy of sporting defeat but it is only when the spectre of actual death casts its shadow doe we realise how hollow some of that language can be.
Life and sport carries on, indeed the Ironman event where two individuals dies on Sunday morning carried on for the 2,000 competitors taking part.
But everything feels a little irrelevant.
IRELAND ON THE SIDELINE
Michelle O’Neill was on the sideline for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 3rd Place play off on Saturday morning, when Sweden overcame Australia.
It may not have proven to be the wild ride of success we could have dreamed of for the republic of Ireland Women’s team but still great to see one of our own on such a big stage.
KEITH EARLS 100
It was special to see the Munster man run out with his three daughters in advance of Saturday’s Ireland England game in the Bank of Ireland Nations Series, better again to see him come on and then best of all to see him score as athletic and spectacular a finish for his try.
One of the sport’s most popular characters this was a special moment to celebrate his becoming only Ireland’s ninth player ever to win 100 Irish test caps. Can you name the others?
SUB FOUR SARAH
It has been a special weekend for Irish athletics with plenty of excellent performances at the World Championships in Budapest, as can be read about elsewhere on Sport for Business today.
A special word though for Sarah Healy who while not making it to the 1,500 metres final, still ran a personal best time, sub four minutes for the first time, a new national U23 record and only the third woman in history to break the four minute mark in an Irish jersey.
FANS TOGETHER
It was a joy to see fans of England and Spain side by side and clearly at peace during Sunday’s World Cup Final and the same between fans of England and Ireland for the rugby at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
This is how sport should be, with the adversarial separation of fans that takes place at too many events. Yes, it is still needed because of the mindless violence and aggression of a minority of fans but who would not want to be part of the joyous crwod scenes we witnessed on screen over this weekend.
SOLHEIM CUP SELECTION
The ISPS Handa Invitational concluded at Galgorm Castle on Sunday and closed out the qualification period for this year’s Solheim Cup.
Among the eight confirmed European participants based on their World Ranking is Leona Maguire, who shone the last time out in the competition in the United States and gives us plenty to look forward to later on next month when the tournament takes place in Spain.
