THE WONDERFUL victory of Ken Doherty in the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible in Sheffield last Monday reminds us, once again, of how lucky we are in this country in regard to the young people who represent us in so many sporting disciplines.

In Doherty's case, we had a young man who kept his cool in the most trying of circumstances and was gracious enough in victory to pay tribute to his opponent by forecasting that he, Stephen Hendry, would be back again as world champion.

In addition to that, Doherty did Ireland proud by maintaining, at all times, a demeanour which endeared him to everyone. His jokes and little asides brought smiles and laughter to everyone. He poked fun at himself and others in a most acceptable manner and was careful never to forget his roots in urban Dublin - Ranelagh to be precise.

There was never any hint of a descent into boasting or vulgarity. Not to put too fine a point on it, he represented himself, his family and his country in a manner which did credit to all of us and we must be grateful for that.

In times past, many Irish men and women have made a significant impact on the sporting imagination of the world. Perhaps our most successful sports people have been involved in horse racing and Ireland has given a blood line to racing which has had a huge effect on the sport all over the world.

Jockeys, trainers and owners, too, have also made an enormous contribution to the reputation of Ireland abroad, as have our boxers. Many Irish names have speckled the record books of the sport for over a century. In more recent times, Barry McGuigan, Michael Carruth, Dave McAuley, Wayne McCullough and Steve Collins have proved themselves the best in the world in both the amateur and professional rings.

Dozens of others have carried Ireland's name with pride and passion. Cyclists like Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly have made Ireland a respected name in their sport, while Ronnie Delany, Michelle Smith, Sonia, O'Sullivan, Catherina McKiernan, John Treacy and Eamonn Coghlan earned respect and admiration for themselves and their country.

In many team sports, soccer and rugby in particular, Irish squads have distinguished themselves.

While all of that has been going on, Ireland has had two distinctive native sports, hurling and Gaelic football, which still attract huge admiration at home and abroad. The GAA has proved itself to be one of the most successful administrative bodies in sport.

In his recent valedictory speech to the GAA Congress in Dublin, the outgoing president, Jack Boothman, touched on the importance of sport to the life of the nation. In doing so he warned of dangers which could affect all sports and his words were wise and well chosen.

"Nowadays it is not just the honour and glory of the little village. The GAA has played its part in building the new communities of urban areas, the rapidly growing provincial towns and cities and the areas that the politicians have forgotten.

"What passed for social engineering for many years in all parts of the island has dumped large numbers of families in communities with few facilities and little hope of economic or social betterment. Sports and Gaelic games can offer a lot for these people. It is here that leadership is needed. It is here that our efforts should be directed.

"It is also here that volunteers are fewest and our organisation is most stretched," he said.

Turning to the relationship between politics and sport he said that, increasingly, the sporting bodies and the civic authorities have come to serve a common cause. Properly supported at community level, money spent with the sports organisations can save governments further spending down the line coping with problems such as crime.

"Sport can give meaning to many people's lives and among many of the disaffected, is perhaps the only opportunity to raise their morale. We in the GAA have provided facilities, have offered guidance and brought enjoyment to the lives of young people. Our politicians are always welcome to join us in this service," he said.

With a general election now, apparently, just around the corner, the politicians to whom Jack Boothman refers would do well to listen to what he has to say. His message is clear and unequivocal politicians who ignore the importance of sport, do so at their peril.