Many have said that this Irish Grand Slam win was like a breath of fresh air and that it can only lead to greater and better things. However what they didn’t say was what these greater and better things are. Many reminisce about the good old days in the 1990s when the Irish Soccer team were performing well in the World cup and the song “Ole Ole Ole Ole” could be heard throughout any pub in any village in Ireland. What’s interesting is that during Bernard Dunne’s boxing match the other night this resounding song was heard yet again with gusto. Are the good old days returning and do these great sporting performances have an impact? Some would say, as Stephen Jones’ kick hung in the air, that the only impact was the €2 million bets which rested on its destination in Paddy Powers.
From a sports practice perspective many could suggest that individuals derive utility from sporting activities, and the time devoted to such activities therefore increase utility. Others have documented in sports medicine literature, that sporting activities improve health levels of the population, which, in turn, influences the productivity of the economy. Finally others argue the fact that sporting activities can substitute for income-directed activities (work and education), which are the stimulants of growth. Therefore they appear to be in agreement that the practice of sport has positive long term implications. However can that level of euphoria which was stimulated by sports lead to a general shift in attitude? And can a team performance offer inspiration to those entrepreneurs who adopt this attitude and work with the words of Obama ringing in their ears “YES WE CAN”.
