The season of being glued to the television and watching sporting events is upon us. Even though I am not the biggest soccer fan in the world, I know that I will get sucked in to the Euros, while the tennis season is already underway, the GAA championships are heating up and the athletics this week have been fantastic viewing, particularly from an Irish perspective.
I couldn’t believe what we were watching – firstly the mixed relay team won gold, and then came Ciara Mageean’s epic gold medal win in the 1500m. That was followed on Monday night by two Irish women competing in the 400m final, with Rhasidat Adeleke finishing in an impressive second place. I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in the Olympic games.
The star of the event for us nordies was the wee girl from Portaferry, Ciara Mageean. We will all remember where we were when she won her European Championship gold medal. We will also remember watching athletics legends Sonia O’Sullivan and Derval O’Rourke react to Ciara’s move when she broke through the pack and bolted towards the finish line. It was great to see two women known for their composure, jumping around in celebration of the immense achievement of another Irish woman who has been hugely influenced by their previous success.
In her brilliant post-race interview, with the adrenaline of the biggest win of her career pumping through her veins, Ciara showed immense composure and presence of mind, and delivered the epic quote: “I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.” There it was, the nod to the sport she grew up playing in her native Portaferry – on the world stage.
I have long been a fan of Ciara Mageean’s drive and determination, particularly in the face of adversity. She has experienced more than her fair share of injuries, disappointing performances, but little by little, she kept building. If anyone was ever deserving of a moment like this, it is her.
Camogie can sometimes be the poor relation of Gaelic games. The sport doesn’t get the promotion or profile it deserves, so it was exciting to hear Portaferry camóg Maria McNally tell me that Ciara Mageean’s now immortal “boxed in” line will inevitably make it to T-shirts and kit bags very soon
I have spoken to her a few times on my radio show, and have always been taken by her focus, unrelenting enthusiasm for sport and her dedication to her home town. This woman will never forget where she comes from, and that matters so much to those she grew up amongst.
Speaking to people from Portaferry on Monday, only a little persuasion was required to attract two fellow camógs on to my radio show to talk about Ciara and how happy they were for her. They gushed about Ciara’s prowess and skill on the field, and her down to earth nature off it.
Camogie can sometimes be the poor relation of Gaelic games. The sport doesn’t get the promotion or profile it deserves, so it was exciting to hear Portaferry camóg Maria McNally tell me that the now immortal “boxed in” line will inevitably make it to T-shirts and kit bags very soon. That sort of belief and visibility is palpable and makes a difference.
Maria and Fiona Keary told me how young girls want to be just like Ciara Mageean. The Mageean effect has been inspiring them to get into sport for some time, and long may it continue. Thanks Ciara for being you, and being a fabulous role model for all of us, especially young girls.
****
WHILE one GAA community is celebrating a historic sporting victory, in neighbouring Co Armagh, the Crossmaglen Rangers club have been rallying around the family of senior player Caolán Finnegan.
Caolan, known as ‘Stringer’, was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. Shockwaves went through the community after his diagnosis, and for months now, efforts to raise money for his medical treatment have been in overdrive.
Caolan is currently receiving treatment in a private oncology clinic in Germany. So far, bus pulls, coffee mornings, many bucket collections and other events have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Care for Caolan fund. Neighbouring clubs have been doing their bit also.
This Sunday at least 100 former Crossmaglen Rangers will gather for the Stroll for Stringer, leaving the Rangers Hall at 9am and walking to Caolan’s father’s club in Donaghmoyne in neighbouring Co Monaghan.
Sunday is Father’s Day so this is bound to be a poignant and emotional day for all involved, not least the Finnegan family. Good luck to all involved.
