The horrific passing of 25-year-old Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes from ‘a bouncer’ is all too tragic.
Tony Grabs, Trauma Director in Saint Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, simply noted that ‘the head injury he suffered was catastrophic’. Australia cricket team doctor Peter Brukner describes at length the impact of the ball on Hughes vertebral artery causing the artery to split resulting in bleeding going up into the brain.
That he had 26 Test matches with Australia is hardly relevant. But this week I attended the launch of a truly remarkable idea. That nobody thought of it until now is equally remarkable but considering the recently held Web Summit and the value of social media, the World Sports Team in many ways is Ireland’s gift to the world of sport. It is the global network for sportspeople.
It originated on the rugby fields of London where Stuart Mangan suffered his own horrific injury in 2008. His cousin, Kerryman Eamonn Sayers, and Stuart’s large circle of family, friends and community rallied to his aid in generating both funds and awareness of his story which resonates for thousands around the world who suffer like Phillip and Stuart have done.
Eamon struggled to get back playing rugby where he substituted himself off the pitch during an insignificant game and simply lay on the dressing room floor as the game outside continued. He realised that lying there on the cold floor was exactly what Stuart would be experiencing for the rest of his days; staring at a ceiling.
Terribly unlucky
This caused Eamon to wonder what of those terribly unlucky sports people around the world who don’t have the Mangan circle; the IRFU Charitable Trust; the RFU Injured Players Foundation; the unbelievable rugby fraternity that’s culminated in the annual Ireland Legends v England Legends Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup game; or the Australia cricket family reaching out into its global network after what has happened to Phillip Hughes?
Eamon’s vision was to support people with catastrophic sports injuries throughout the world, many of whom don’t have the support that rugby and cricket enjoy.
He notes that “we are the world’s sports network from fans, to professional athletes, to coaches”. The World Sports Team is free to join and will raise awareness and generate support for those affected by catastrophic sports injuries. Go to www.worldsportsteam.org and click on the video to watch the miracle of Ireland’s other gift to the world; hurling, where Wexford legend Diarmuid Lyng hurls around the world; “embrace the competition but enjoy the creativity”.
Many of our sporting stars feature, such as Brian O’Driscoll in Donnybrook, Paul McGrath in Ferrycarrig, Joe Canning in Salthill, Paul Galvin in Blennerville, so too fellow Kerry legend Donal Walsh.
Diarmuid arrived to each iconic location requiring help from random passers-by who were won over – holding the camera, catching the sliotar, offering accommodation and in one case at Potala Palace, Lhase, Tibet aided and abetted his entry and exit from the holy square! Watch it, you’re in for a real global treat.
Speaking of treats, and on foot of the circle pass from Simon Zebo to Johnny Sextonleading to Wallaby scrumhalf Nick Phipps cantering in from 60 metres, I’m drawn to what is known simply as ‘the greatest try’ 41 years ago. Youtube ‘That try’. Focus on the ambition and offloading.
But in particular look at the exact place on the pitch where flanker Tom David circle passed to Derek Quinnell and watch what happens.
Leading to that point was a loose kick from All Black right wing Brian Williams that bounced under the Babas’ posts. Wales’ Phil Bennett collects and jinks inside the All Black blindside wing forward, first centre, second row, openside before finding JPR Williams who (despite almost being decapitated) offloads.
These offloads ensue until David receives on the halfway line and right on the spot where Zebo circle passed to his left, so too did David. Derek Quinnell picked off his shoe laces and fired to his winger but Gareth Edwards powered onto the ball and sprinted into the left had corner for the greatest try. Crazy, but food for thought for next week’s article.
Finally and conscious of last weekend and the deep discussion that followed I bumped back into the 'three wise men' from the South African game who were deeply upset that their story had reached Friday's paper a fortnight ago. They attended a black-tie function that night, where they were quizzed about the identities of same. When one admitted it was they; they were promptly labelled Melchior, Gasper and Balthasar and photographed holding the article; I have a copy of this photo! They, like me, pass on our thoughts to Chris Henry as he recuperates, reiterating the need for the global family to look after its own. Join World Sports Team. liamtoland@yahoo.com
