It's not all bad in Ireland

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As far as I'm concerned, it takes being away from home to realise the freedom that we have in Ireland.

After spending four months in Budapest I have some fantastic memories, but it also gave me an opportunity to assess norms which citizens of other countries experience. It gave me something to compare to Ireland to. It is something which a lot of people lack. Every so often you can hear somebody saying 'only in Ireland' in a sarcastic manner regarding an injustice on this island of ours. I would hazard a guess that most of the people who exclaim that phrase have never left these shores.

The phrase is often used in relation to our political system. The wasteful spending, cronyism and implementation of new taxes has led to an anger against politics which has never pervaded the Irish psyche to such a strong extent.

Trust in politicians is at a low which has likely never been seen before. People feel as though they are being forgotten about. People feel as though their needs do not matter to our public representatives. There is no doubt that there are injustices in Irish society right now, and particular demographics are losing out.

But are public representatives deliberately targeting particular groups in these harsh austerity times? I do not believe so. I certainly think there are people out there who are in need of help from Government, but are not being accommodated. Mistakes have been made in regard to Government policy, and no doubt are continuing to be made. That is not a slight against the political system. It is just the reality of humankind. What's a mistake to one person, may be a brave call according to somebody else.

We should be striving for a Utopian nation, but that is an ultra idealistic way of looking at the world. There will always be divides between classes, and criticism of governments for allowing this to happen. But these problems occur in every nation, so we should not pretend that Ireland is a special case.

The way in which we can approach our elected representatives without much prior preparation is something which always astounds me. There are a lot of problems in this country, but there is no point in complaining if you are not willing to act on it. In this country, people have the unique opportunity to act on these problems by meeting their local TD. Activism can get a lot of things done. Before recent changes to the system, there was a remarkable reversal forced by pensioners in this country when their medical cards were at risk. The family of young Jake Brennan in Kilkenny, who lost his life when knocked down by a car near his home last summer, have shown remarkable strength in turning their grief into a national campaign for reduced speed limits in residential areas.

Not every piece of activism works, but you will not change anything from your cosy armchair.

This week, I visited Leinster House on two occasions. I had the opportunity to meet a number of public representatives, and see our parliament deliberate on national policy from the visitors gallery above the Dáil. It was fantastic to see the place for the first time, after witnessing the famous building from television cameras on so many occasions.

Sometimes you need a reminder that the people you see on the television, responding to questions and making crucial decisions about our country, are regular human beings like the rest of us. Uniquely however, in an international context, the Irish people are in a far better situation to dictate policy because of the close proximity we can find ourselves to our public representatives.

This is not an apology for the actions of the Irish government over the last 7-8 years. It is just important to take a step back at times, and judge people by our own standards rather than always looking for the conspiracy theories.

Why won't we support our non-Dublin heroes?

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I have written before on this blog about a rare trip I made to Dublin, and to put a long story in brief terms- I found little attractive about the place.

I fully understand why people like city life, and Dublin is a vibrant, busy and booming place at the moment. I simply prefer the option of living elsewhere in Ireland, where you are always little more than a 10 minute drive from green fields and fresh air.

For that reason I am becoming more and more worried about the future of the Ireland beyond the M50. Five years ago, to say the immediate future of our country looked bleak would have been the idealistic point of view. In an effort to rectify this, the new Fine Gael- Labour Government has had to work quickly to create jobs and prosperity for the country's population. After years of stagnation, it does finally seem as though there are jobs out there- but most of them are in the Capital.

But beyond the economy, a prejudice against other parts of the country seems prevalent. In sport, this also seems to be the case.

Professional boxing and MMA are unique sports in that the best athletes don't often get the best accolades. You often need a good promoter to drive you to the top. Amir Khan, for example, would not be calling out Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao now for world championship bouts if it wasn't for the backing of Sky Sports through his early years. They could have picked any number of boxers to get behind 7-8 years ago, but Khan was young and marketable.

In the same way, professional boxing in Ireland shows the same trends. Since the turn of the Millennium, RTE has only gotten behind one pro boxer in a truly supportive way- Bernard Dunne. Everybody in the country could follow the Dubliner's rise to the top of World boxing because every one of his bouts was carried live by the national broadcaster. It was a tremendous success, despite his short lived stint at the peak of global boxing.

Ireland now has two world champion boxers, but most people would struggle to name them. Carl Frampton, from Belfast, won the IBF super bantamweight title in his home city last year. Then Andy Lee, from Limerick, won the WBO middleweight crown in Las Vegas in December. These men are Irish World Champions, and the coverage given to their success was generally pitiful.

It could even be forgiven if the media jumped on the bandwagon now as they prepare for the defence of their titles later in the year. But still there is little or no coverage of their exploits. It is not as if neither boxer has a good narrative. Frampton's promoter is Barry McGuigan, Ireland's most famed boxer, and is being trained by McGuigan's son. Lee is a well spoken and charming sportsman who shocked most of the boxing world with his world title success last year.

These guys deserve our attention, but the nation is being forced into an infatuation with another Dubliner, Conor McGregor. I'm not a fan of UFC. I do not judge anybody who likes the sport. The physical strength and athleticism of the fighters is clear to any viewer. It simply isn't something that sustains my attention.

That said, I refuse to believe that there is such an appetite for the sport in Ireland that would vindicate the amount of media coverage that man is getting. He is yet even a World Champion, and he has received more media attention in Ireland than Carl Frampton and Andy Lee will receive in their entire careers.

Boxing documentaries are fascinating viewing. Anybody who has seen the '24/7' programmes by HBO in the build up to their pay-per-view bouts can vouch for that. Why won't a national broadcaster visit Limerick or Belfast to meet the families and friends of Andy Lee and Carl Frampton? The citizens of these cities would be delighted to see the cameras come into town to film their heroes.

But maybe there is no appetite for sportsmen who show respect for their opponents.

This should get the juices flowing ahead of next Saturday

It's been a long wait for the All Ireland hurling final replay but it is now imminent. In anticipation of another classic I put together this audio montage of the drawn game. The song is 'The Golden Age' by Woodkid. It's also a good time to plug the new and improved 'The Dugout' which returns to the airwaves tomorrow. Myself and James O'Nolan will be talking all matters sport on ULFM (www.ulfm.ie) from 5-6pm every Tuesday. The following edit will hopefully make the show as well when we discuss Saturday's clash between Tipp and Kilkenny.

Back to business

It feels strange to be back writing on this blog after a two year hiatus. Until the beginning of December, I will be updating the blog with content regarding three of my Journalism and politics modules in the University of Limerick. Maybe it will get me back in the habit of expressing my opinion in more specific and prolonged detail. I have found Twitter (@mickbrophy) much more efficient in detailing my opinions on specific interests of mine. But let's see how it goes.

The craze of ‘March Madness’

AMERICAN culture has always had a notable influence on the average Irish person.  We have watched everything from the exploits of JR Ewing in ‘Dallas’ to the nonsensical experiences of reality ‘stars’ such as Snooki in ‘Jersey Shore’.  We listen to their music, watch their awards ceremonies and give their most famous figures the ‘red-carpet-treatment’ when they travel across the Atlantic to visit us.  We have done everything apart from trying to adapt our tricolour to include stars and stripes.

Even their sports are starting develop a following.  American Football is becoming more and more popular with every passing season.  ‘Yank’ sports have always found it much more difficult to attract European supporters.  The mixture of ceaseless advertisements mid-game and, the hype surrounding the on-field action has left the viewer yearning for the remote control, in desire for the Under-19 International tournament being televised on Eurosport.  The tide is turning.  Live sporting action, no matter how over-marketed, will always be a better watch than the ‘rumour mill’ being broadcast on Sky Sports News.

What is surprising is that, in a sports-mad country such as Ireland, pillar-stones of American society such as Baseball and Basketball are struggling to attract viewers.  This is the case despite, the presence of a basketball court in almost every village in the country as well as, the prominence of Rounders in the GAA, a sport almost identical in format to baseball.

For anybody who is contemplating witnessing these sports at their best, the next month is appetising.  While the baseball season begins in a number of weeks, basketball will showcase its enduring appeal when ‘March Madness’ begins next week.  While you may expect basketball’s most exciting tournament to involve the stars of the NBA, this tournament is actually the culmination of the college basketball season. 

68 teams battle in a straight-knockout competition across the country to determine the National Champion.  The tournament has even brought the phrase ‘bracketology’ to prominence- the complicated, almost scientific way in which the best college teams are selected for the competition.  It takes over the news networks; it dominates conversations in the workplace and causes arguments in the pubs.  It has become a ritual for anybody interested to fill out their ‘brackets’ before the tournament, selecting the outcome of every game and consequently predicting the champion.  The US President always has a go at it, an elusive opportunity to see one of the most powerful men in the world talking ‘ball’.

Of course, hype such as this is natural for an American exhibition of sport.  The marketing departments in the major networks could sell a fridge to an Eskimo.  However, this tournament has bite to add to its considerable bark.

Upsets are the norm.  The unique selling point of the tournament is the common occurrence of unknown debutantes in the tournaments overcoming colleges who pride themselves on dominance on the basketball court. 

Colourful, vocal support follows each team around the country.  Mascots, cheerleaders and bands give each game an exciting atmosphere while also spurring on the players to create their own bit of ‘March Madness’ history.

The tournament has launched the greatest players of the game to stardom.  Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, ‘Magic’ Johnson- just name a great player and they will have played in the tournament.  It is an awesome sight, to see these players performing with youthful exuberance and a raw, impetuous talent.

The tournament begins on March 13, with a number of games on every night.  All games are being televised on ESPN America and online.

New Yorkers go mad once more for ‘Timsanity’

THE NFL has a much longer pre-season than most other sports leagues so it can be difficult to keep the crazed American football fan occupied for the six months of the year when no competitive action takes place. What it can offer to its fans, however, is the most exciting ‘transfer period’ of any sport.

The league was on a go-slow this time last year with the lock-out preventing any contracting of new players. Franchise owners seem to be making up for their hibernation last spring by spending wildly on whoever is available.

One of those on the move is Tim Tebow. The quarterback, who inspired a spirited Denver Broncos to their first play-off berth since 2005, has been pushed aside in favour of one of the sport’s greatest- Peyton Manning.

Once the deal went through it meant only one thing for last season’s phenomenon. He had to move. He had no shortage of suitors. The strange thing about Tebow is that his attraction lies not in his sporting ability, rather his capacity to draw attention to a team. The Jacksonville Jaguars needed him. His questionable talent could be forgiven if he managed to fill their increasingly deserted stadium.

Tim could not be tempted. The New York Jets made Broncos General Manager John Elway an offer he couldn’t refuse. Tebowmania is about to hit the ‘Big Apple’.

The move has been greeted by excitement from the neutral, who want to see Tebow attempt his trademark heroics in front of much more demanding support. As for the experts, they fail to see the Jets’ reasoning.

They had just handed their quarterback Mark Sanchez a three year extension on his existing contract. It was a vote of confidence which the young man needed. The fans were on his back after another string of suspect performances last year. The last thing he would have wanted was the most popular player in the sport standing behind him, waiting for him to slip up.

Kyle Orton felt it last year. The talented slinger had no margin for error with a support who were salivating over the prospect of seeing Tebow performing consistently in the blue and orange. A string of mediocre performances by Orton left the Broncos management with no choice but to appease their support. Tebow got his chance and the rest as they say…

Sanchez has yet to show that he has the mental strength to put up with the inevitable Tebow surge. Fans have already grown impatient with the mistake-prone Quarterback. Tebow will get his chance sooner rather than later. It remains to be seen whether he can reproduce the heroics of last year, in the Meadowlands.

In other NFL news, the repercussions of the New Orleans Saints’ ‘bounty’ scandal have been published. This hearing revolves around the payments made to players by coaching staff, who rewarded them for the brutality of their hits on the opposing Quarterback.

The Saints were found guilty of the charge and have been punished much more severely than anybody imagined. Head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for the upcoming season, while the coach at the centre of the scandal, defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams, has been sidelined indefinitely.

It has epitomized the NFL’s no-tolerance stance on the issue of concussion, a big topic in the game at the moment.

The rise of the celebrity politician

THE Republican hopefuls for this year’s American Presidential election haven’t really caught the population’s imagination thus far. That is why Noel Gallagher’s assertion, that he would run for the post if Barack Obama failed to win a second term, has not been treated with the amazement it deserves. It seems like everybody wants to run for public office at the moment.

In every prominent and newsworthy election these days, there seems to be a famous face putting his/her reputation on the line to try their hand at the political cavalcade. Years of experience honing one’s talents in the backbenches and civil service, is being overlooked by voters in favour of exciting, brash marketing campaigns and monster rallies.

Ronald Reagan brought the phenomenon of the ‘celebrity politician’ to prominence. As a former actor, he knew how to get his message across with clarity and poise. He compensated for his lack of political experience with an assured manner.

One must admire the ‘cojones’ of these people to turn their back on the stardom they have achieved in their respective fields, and open themselves up to renewed attacks on policy and personality. Why do they do it? Is it purely to massage their throbbing egos or is it a genuine urge to help change things for the better?

World Champion boxer Manny Pacquiao stated his intentions clearly in 2007 when taking his first shot at the political game. He stated, “I will run because there is so much fighting between sectors. What the people want is peace and the help of the national government.”

Of course, the sentiments of Pacquiao are echoed by almost every other election hopeful. Reality bites once they enter the actual playing field. Things aren’t always how they hoped it would be.

George Lee lasted only nine months in Irish opposition. Frustrated by the lack of influence he held in the Fine Gael ‘engine-room’, his Economics expertise meant nothing to those who had served their constituents for a number of decades.

In terms of ego, the curious case of Arnold Schwarzenegger is vital. The body-builder turned actor turned politician stunned the political elite with his election to Governor of California. Like his muscular figure, his over-eager personality has had to be toned down over the years- but not by much.

Speaking at a shopping centre in his home state in 2004, he called his opponents “girlie-men”, and promised that he would “terminate” them in the next election. This all happened because they disagreed over his budget. Nice to know that he had not forgotten where it all started.

Considering the fact that these people have been trained to deal with the media, some tend to make rookie errors when it comes to their time in front of the microphone. We saw it with entrepreneur Sean Gallagher last year. He was left tongue-tied by a refutable tweet, and is now trying to recover his lost credibility in a battle against the national broadcaster.

One of Vladimir Putin’s competitors for the recent Russian Presidential election, Mikhail Prokhorov, has also undertaken novel methods of garnering votes. The billionaire and owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball franchise in the US showed he was ‘down with the kids’ when rapping on a native TV programme.

No matter how woeful his singing talents are, public performances such as these are more likely to attract the attention of younger voters than announcements on policy reform.

The United States seem to have embraced the celebrity politician more so than other countries. Hollywood stars, billionaires, athletes and television personalities have all had a go at it.

Entrepreneur and TV personality Donald Trump distanced himself from a possible shot at the Oval Office last May. In a statement, he proclaimed, with no degree of modesty, "I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election.”

The degree of success which these politicians have achieved is difficult to interpret. Political success is relative to those it affects. What can be determined is the track record of these candidates when it comes to elections. Some have been more successful than others. For every Arnold Schwarzenegger there has been a Carl Lewis- the nine-time Olympic gold medal winner who made a fruitless attempt at running for the New Jersey Senate in 2011.

Respect for politicians is very rare these days, but Manny Pacquiao most definitely has the admiration of his voters. He is a demi-God in his native Philippines. He is one of the few who attempts to juggle sporting and political commitments, with his boxing coaches lamenting his over-eagerness to return home and serve his people.

In general, however, the intensity of media coverage following these prominent candidates works against them. It can also be a deterrent to some hopefuls, who fail to see enough of an upside to the career.

On the other hand, money talks. Fundraising for candidates is becoming a major priority as they attempt to relay their message to the voters by any means of media necessary. High profile candidates have the ability to call on wealthy associates, as well as their own healthy bank balance, to bankroll their election bid. The average civil servant hoping to make a political bid finds it difficult to compete with that financial pull.

One need only look at the finances generated by the various Republican candidates in the Primary season to see the influence which money has in politics these days. In February alone, Mitt Romney’s campaign raised almost $12 million.

The life-long politician of yesteryear is under pressure. While the success of celebrity politicians thus far has been questionable, they are on the charge. The hand-shakers and pot-hole fixers should be worried.