For the second time in a few weeks, the GAA has found one of its greatest sons dominating the headlines.
DJ Carey was finally sentenced after years of rumours and gossip around his fraudulent claims of illness and scamming that saw him rob 22 people. They ranged from billionaires to community associates, with around €400,000 taken. Once a hero to so many, his name will never have any of the same connotations as it did at the beginning of the century.
He received a five-and-a-half-year custodial sentence, which no one could argue with. While he serves that sentence, maybe there is a lesson about how we choose to build elite sportspeople into idols. In reality, they are all just another varying cross-section of society who happen to be excellent at sport.
Jim Gavin’s decision to withdraw from the race for the Áras was one of those stories that hit so many corners. Presidential campaigns are, of course, always of national interest. However, this one rattled everyone from Leinster House to clubhouses in every small town in the country. From the moment his name was linked with the Fianna Fáil candidacy, there was a feeling that something like this could happen. What wasn’t anticipated was how explosive it would all be.
As his temporary party reflect and more likely try to allocate the blame, maybe we as a country and a society should look at what learnings we should take from that whole ordeal too. Most reasonable people would agree that what occurred in 2009 was wrong. His treatment of Niall Donald was unacceptable.
The response to his conduct after the issue arose again in early September, would also unite many. Where people may differ is in the degree of their shock and outrage. How this could have been the behaviour of an All-Ireland winning player and 5 in a row winning coach? The man who is responsible for changing the rules of the most widespread sport in the land. How much of the blame should we share then?
On his own podcast, the well documented tenant, Donald said himself that he believed the level of punishment had gone too far. This coming from the person most affected by Gavin’s misconduct. He spoke about how challenging the time of the incident was and how it hung over him, making him feel powerless. Yet this man says that he thinks it has gone too far.
Video: Irish Independent
Maybe Donald is holding his former landlord to the same level of account as he would anyone else. Whereas, we as a nation are treating him like a hero who has joined the dark side. It is the fact he’s a flawed man who happened to be good at football and very good at managing football teams. Why do we as a public, not just in Ireland but as a wider society, associate elite sporting prowess with being a higher calibre of person. Why do we build up sports stars so much?
I am yet to meet someone who would wish to be judged entirely by the worst thing they’ve done. So why do we overly judge people by the great things? To such a level that when the inevitable flaws reveal themselves, they destroy a reputation of a person that we created ourselves.
Jim Gavin won a five in a row, therefore he’s a man of integrity; not always. Tiger Woods dominated a sport where minorities struggle to succeed, overcoming all the odds and social barriers. He must be a wonderful family man; afraid not. Roy Keane is a leader of men, an engaging and comical character who entertains us on our screens in his retirement. He won’t tell me where to shove my selfie… if you say so.
Carey was a sensational hurler, and understandably, these well-intentioned people trusted him for that reason. That seems logical, and we all want to believe in human goodness. We also know that the world is full of people who need to be wary of. So what relevance is someone’s hand eye coordination in that sense? Carey’s case is different to the other examples mentioned due to how serious the charges are, but it raises a bigger question around the high pedestal we put people on and how that can quickly become a high horse.
Video: Newstalk
Gavin on the other hand, never looked like a fit candidate for the highest office, rent gate aside. His performances in public were unconvincing at best, cringe worthy at worst. How he ended up in that position representing the biggest political party in the country is another conversation. It will no doubt be reviewed both in private and behind the big, Leinster House doors.
But maybe we need to realise that sports stars are not superhuman, even if they have seemingly heroic skills. Those skills do not tell us anything about the person behind them. Good or bad. So maybe we should admire their achievements and performances in the future. Creating a version of them in our mind’s eye is not only unrealistic, but potentially unachievable.