WE ALL have figures within our own families, communities or sports teams who, without looking for it, automatically generate huge respect and admiration from those around them.
The way in which they carry themselves, on or off the playing field, provides leadership but, more importantly, inspires those around them to follow the same path. Cult-like status and an air of invincibility surrounds them wherever they go.
The forced retirement of Paul O’Connell through injury last week was met with a nationwide outpouring of gratitude. No-one could begrudge the praise heaped upon him as, throughout his playing career, he has always led by example, putting his body on the line day in, day out with little or no regard for his personal well-being. However, even for a man of almost superhuman powers, the potential to make a full recovery from such a serious injury was always going to be a step too far.
I have seen up close how tough and prolonged it was on Kevin Dyas getting back to full fitness when he returned to Armagh having torn his hamstring off the bone while playing AFL in Australia in his early 20s.
At 36-years-of-age and with time catching up on a war-torn body, medical science decided to intervene and put an end to O’Connell’s playing career and final few seasons in the south of France at Toulon without playing a match.
The news of O’Connell’s retirement reminded me of a similar situation for a man whom I hold in similar stature: the Armagh legend Paul McGrane. After months of dedicated rehab, he to had to call time on his county career in April 2010. Typical of the man, it was done with little fuss. He just appeared onto the training field in Callanbridge in Armagh and addressed the squad in person to inform us he was stepping away.
I remember running around for the rest of the session, shocked and disappointed at the news. Like O’Connell, McGrane seemed invincible to me. Even though his recovery was taking longer than expected, I still always felt that he’d make in back in time for Championship that summer. No-one was as dedicated and meticulous in their preparation. At no stage did I feel he wouldn’t overcome his troublesome knee issues.
Both men carried the same focus and intensity into their rehab programs, as they would season-defining moments on the playing field. Their work ethic came easy because they had been doing it since childhood. Both men learned their trade at club level in lower divisions, which hardened them for the challenges they would face in later years. However, in the end, there is no sentiment in sport as Father Time catches up on us all.
Such was their desire to get back to full fitness and compete at the highest level, I would go as far to say that injury saved them from themselves. McGrane was never a man of many words while captaining us. He didn’t need to be, though, as his actions always set the tone. Whether it was on the pitch or in the gym, he hit every session with the same intensity and enthusiasm. His playing weight and rock-hard physique needed for the demanding position he played were not natural gifts from God, they were the results of incredible dedication.
He even built a gym at home to be sure he could stick to his programme while not missing out on family time. When things were not up to scratch, he wasn’t afraid to let you know. The stare with his finger pointing and the ‘do you understand me’ line wouldn’t be long in getting his message across. He poured every ounce of himself into every task, exhorting others to follow, urging them to be better.
What made McGrane different was his ability to connect with his team-mates regardless of their age. Every time you’d meet him, he’d greet you with a smile on his face. He was always great company.
His honesty was evident in every conversation. He never spoke about himself, he always enquired about me, how was I feeling, how was work, family etc. He was genuine and sincere beyond measure. Benny Tierney affectionately called him Yahweh, such was his God-like status within the group.
He could mess with the best of them on a night out when the time was right. Legend has it that, when he had a few beers on a night out in his early days of university in Belfast, he would recite his 1992 All-Ireland minor final day speech that he never got to say. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, though, he used this disappointment as motivation for his senior career with Armagh, reaching the ultimate by landing Sam Maguire in 2002.
O’Connell and McGrane don’t owe anything to anyone, their team-mates or followers. No matter what team they played in, success accompanied them. That is no coincidence. But both men can look back on their hugely successful and illustrious playing careers with pride in all they achieved, the joy they brought to their families and supporters.
And they should be content they left a wonderful legacy for future generations to follow.
