It's a day I dread every year. St. Patrick's Day. In theory a celebration of all things Irish from language to culture to sport, but somehow we manage to drown ourselves in alcohol. I stopped going outside in Dublin on this day due to unruliness you can encounter when people lose the run of themselves. I've endured people vomiting on my shoes, young upstarts trying to start a scrap and even racist abuse - all by proud Irish people. It's been a day to be ashamed of being Irish on so many occasions for me.
One thing I have always done is put on the green. It's my colour and the most simple way I have of identifying with my Irishness. Like any situation in life, it's what you make of it, so this year I have decided to celebrate in my own way. It's my day too so I am taking it back! I will be celebrating the things about Ireland that I value most.
It is easy to focus on the Irish rugby team's victory this weekend as a positive of Irish fighting spirit. Like so many Irish people out there, I was exhausted by the end of 80 minutes of flying by the seat of my pants. It seems like we are always one pass away from ecstasy or heartache. I was more relieved than anything when we held on for the victory. It was a fitting way for BOD to end his career. There were so many amazing tributes to him, but having been a patient in this hospital before, I thought this was the best.
He deserved so many more titles, but his sporting values dragged many people along on this incredible journey, but the work ethic of the entire team was something to behold. I've been hugely impressed with players like Devin Toner, Rory Best and Andrew Trimble. Rock solid and abrasive in everything they did. It was interesting to hear BOD talking about pulling on the green jersey for the last time. It made me think about what it means to pull on the green jersey to different people.
This made me think of the Irish women's rugby team. I know they will be disappointed that they could not overcome a French team who are building for a home Rugby World Cup, but that will be more fuel for the flames in August. They have done a huge amount for their sport by leading by example. It's incredible to think that so many of them are on their way to becoming household names and heroes for another generation of girls who will go on to play rugby - Briggs, Coghlan, Stapleton, Cantwell and Egan.
I have huge admiration for Ailis and what she has done. Having had the privilege of coaching her several years ago I knew she was incredibly strong of will and with a passion that often manifested as frustration - some She Hulk moments she has reigned in... mostly ;-)
She always had a huge work rate whether playing at 8, 10 or 12 - I didn't know she would go on to play prop for Ireland! It's this work rate - across all of Irish rugby - but especially with the women, that is so impressive. The amount of hours in the gym, the travelling to sessions, the curtailing of their social lives and the sheer dedication to their sport that impresses me most. This work-rate is a core value that has served Irish people well and I hope it will continue to be central to what it means to be Irish in the future.
Along with work rate there is a commitment in Irish sport right now to not accepting mediocrity. This is something that has developed over time and is probably associated with Roy Keane. His refusal to accept moral victories and to push Irish limits all the time. I'm not sure if this is a Corkonian value, as it is regularly eschewed by Derval O'Rourke, Rob Heffernan and Sonia O'Sullivan.
It's no coincidence that Irish boxing is a shining example of Ireland "punching above our weight". The athletes in the boxing program are incredible - from Katie Taylor to Paddy Barnes. There's an even better younger group coming through which is incredible. It's a huge testament to the coaching team led by Billy Walsh, but the man who played a key role early on is Gary Keegan.
Most people will not have heard of Keegan but he was key in creating a High Performance culture early on. We have the talent, but he focused on maximising the potential of the athletes we had. Hard work beats talent every time, and the boxing program he helped create focused on being the hardest working program in the world. The results are clear to see. If you ever get the chance to hear Gary speak about this, make sure you listen - it's inspiring stuff.
Work rate and high standards have been key in the above success, and equally innovation. Converting to prop from out-half or changing your game over time like BOD.
However there is something less tangible that is rooted in our warrior spirit. And often when I think of Irishness I think of language. It feels like there are so many things, as in every language, that simply don't translate. Pretty relevant as it is Irish language week at the moment - Seachtain Na Gaeilge - but why the call it a week when it runs from the 1st to the 17th of March I'll never know.
While working with the Irish Olympic Handball Association and attempting to develop a High Performance Culture for the team with Eddie O'Sullivan, I thought a lot about how a motto that incorporates the best of Irish values could serve as a motivational reminder for the players. We worked with Fóras na Gaeilge and Colm O'Baoill to come up with something appropriate. In the end we settled on "Ní bua gan dua" which roughly translates as "There is no victory without hardship".
This was the motto that pushed a tiny group of amateur young athletes to take on professional teams from a much higher tier. They had little or no access to facilities or funding. Some of their family members were not even aware that they were representing Ireland. They trained at ungodly hours as this was the only time they could get a hall. In the end I am proud to say that they went from 50th in the EHF European rankings to 40th in just 18 months. The whole HP Committee were key to the success - Eddie O'Sullivan as HP Consultant, Toni Gerona as coach, David Matthews as Fitness Coach, Stephen McIvor as Sports Psychologist, Eimear O'Leary as Physio, Ianik Pomorski as Team Manager. Thank you again.
Without the work rate of the Irish players it would not have mattered. It was a real honour and pleasure to witness a group of boys who had not seen the inside of a gym, transform into a tenacious team that would never give up. They were led by captain Alan O'Brien who constantly put himself through the pain barrier and knee rehab to lead the team. Every time I saw them train or play they surprised me. Sometimes it was the incredible movement of goalkeeper Pontus to keep out shot after shot, or simply Donal getting up after getting smashed on the wing. Each and every one of them knows how proud I am of the team.
There were a lot of dark days for them and they suffered some hammerings on the road. A lot of "dua" without a doubt. There is a lot more to come for sure, but also a lot of "bua" along the way. The team was made up of players born and bred in Ireland as well as players of Irish heritage. To each one of them it was something special to pull on the green jersey.
Today, on St. Patrick's day, whether you are Jen Sinkler with a little Irish in you or Cindy Landolt wearing the green to get ready to play a Celtic warrior, take a moment to think what it means to you to pull on your green jersey. For me I always repeat the words to myself - "Ní bua gan dua" and it brings all the values to my mind. It makes me think of all those inspirational Irish people.
Ná dean dearmaid go bhfuil sé fós Seachtan na Gaeilge! Bain trial as do chuid Gaeilge - tá sé lastigh ag gach Éireannach!
One thing I have always done is put on the green. It's my colour and the most simple way I have of identifying with my Irishness. Like any situation in life, it's what you make of it, so this year I have decided to celebrate in my own way. It's my day too so I am taking it back! I will be celebrating the things about Ireland that I value most.
It is easy to focus on the Irish rugby team's victory this weekend as a positive of Irish fighting spirit. Like so many Irish people out there, I was exhausted by the end of 80 minutes of flying by the seat of my pants. It seems like we are always one pass away from ecstasy or heartache. I was more relieved than anything when we held on for the victory. It was a fitting way for BOD to end his career. There were so many amazing tributes to him, but having been a patient in this hospital before, I thought this was the best.
He deserved so many more titles, but his sporting values dragged many people along on this incredible journey, but the work ethic of the entire team was something to behold. I've been hugely impressed with players like Devin Toner, Rory Best and Andrew Trimble. Rock solid and abrasive in everything they did. It was interesting to hear BOD talking about pulling on the green jersey for the last time. It made me think about what it means to pull on the green jersey to different people.
This made me think of the Irish women's rugby team. I know they will be disappointed that they could not overcome a French team who are building for a home Rugby World Cup, but that will be more fuel for the flames in August. They have done a huge amount for their sport by leading by example. It's incredible to think that so many of them are on their way to becoming household names and heroes for another generation of girls who will go on to play rugby - Briggs, Coghlan, Stapleton, Cantwell and Egan.
I have huge admiration for Ailis and what she has done. Having had the privilege of coaching her several years ago I knew she was incredibly strong of will and with a passion that often manifested as frustration - some She Hulk moments she has reigned in... mostly ;-)
She always had a huge work rate whether playing at 8, 10 or 12 - I didn't know she would go on to play prop for Ireland! It's this work rate - across all of Irish rugby - but especially with the women, that is so impressive. The amount of hours in the gym, the travelling to sessions, the curtailing of their social lives and the sheer dedication to their sport that impresses me most. This work-rate is a core value that has served Irish people well and I hope it will continue to be central to what it means to be Irish in the future.
Along with work rate there is a commitment in Irish sport right now to not accepting mediocrity. This is something that has developed over time and is probably associated with Roy Keane. His refusal to accept moral victories and to push Irish limits all the time. I'm not sure if this is a Corkonian value, as it is regularly eschewed by Derval O'Rourke, Rob Heffernan and Sonia O'Sullivan.
It's no coincidence that Irish boxing is a shining example of Ireland "punching above our weight". The athletes in the boxing program are incredible - from Katie Taylor to Paddy Barnes. There's an even better younger group coming through which is incredible. It's a huge testament to the coaching team led by Billy Walsh, but the man who played a key role early on is Gary Keegan.
Most people will not have heard of Keegan but he was key in creating a High Performance culture early on. We have the talent, but he focused on maximising the potential of the athletes we had. Hard work beats talent every time, and the boxing program he helped create focused on being the hardest working program in the world. The results are clear to see. If you ever get the chance to hear Gary speak about this, make sure you listen - it's inspiring stuff.
Work rate and high standards have been key in the above success, and equally innovation. Converting to prop from out-half or changing your game over time like BOD.
However there is something less tangible that is rooted in our warrior spirit. And often when I think of Irishness I think of language. It feels like there are so many things, as in every language, that simply don't translate. Pretty relevant as it is Irish language week at the moment - Seachtain Na Gaeilge - but why the call it a week when it runs from the 1st to the 17th of March I'll never know.
While working with the Irish Olympic Handball Association and attempting to develop a High Performance Culture for the team with Eddie O'Sullivan, I thought a lot about how a motto that incorporates the best of Irish values could serve as a motivational reminder for the players. We worked with Fóras na Gaeilge and Colm O'Baoill to come up with something appropriate. In the end we settled on "Ní bua gan dua" which roughly translates as "There is no victory without hardship".
This was the motto that pushed a tiny group of amateur young athletes to take on professional teams from a much higher tier. They had little or no access to facilities or funding. Some of their family members were not even aware that they were representing Ireland. They trained at ungodly hours as this was the only time they could get a hall. In the end I am proud to say that they went from 50th in the EHF European rankings to 40th in just 18 months. The whole HP Committee were key to the success - Eddie O'Sullivan as HP Consultant, Toni Gerona as coach, David Matthews as Fitness Coach, Stephen McIvor as Sports Psychologist, Eimear O'Leary as Physio, Ianik Pomorski as Team Manager. Thank you again.
Without the work rate of the Irish players it would not have mattered. It was a real honour and pleasure to witness a group of boys who had not seen the inside of a gym, transform into a tenacious team that would never give up. They were led by captain Alan O'Brien who constantly put himself through the pain barrier and knee rehab to lead the team. Every time I saw them train or play they surprised me. Sometimes it was the incredible movement of goalkeeper Pontus to keep out shot after shot, or simply Donal getting up after getting smashed on the wing. Each and every one of them knows how proud I am of the team.
There were a lot of dark days for them and they suffered some hammerings on the road. A lot of "dua" without a doubt. There is a lot more to come for sure, but also a lot of "bua" along the way. The team was made up of players born and bred in Ireland as well as players of Irish heritage. To each one of them it was something special to pull on the green jersey.
Today, on St. Patrick's day, whether you are Jen Sinkler with a little Irish in you or Cindy Landolt wearing the green to get ready to play a Celtic warrior, take a moment to think what it means to you to pull on your green jersey. For me I always repeat the words to myself - "Ní bua gan dua" and it brings all the values to my mind. It makes me think of all those inspirational Irish people.
Ná dean dearmaid go bhfuil sé fós Seachtan na Gaeilge! Bain trial as do chuid Gaeilge - tá sé lastigh ag gach Éireannach!
