On the threshold of a new century, it is tempting to believe that the great commercial success and enormous attention now paid to sport is a reflection of its rude health. Television deals for broadcasting rights run into billions of pounds, dedicated TV channels churn out non-stop coverage of even the most obscure sporting events and athletes vie with each other to secure the biggest and most lucrative of contracts. These may add up to success in most other areas of life, but sport needs to be judged by a different set of values.
The essence of sport and the reason for its constant attraction to hundreds of millions of fans is that it kindles memories of triumphs and disappointments in childhood, adolescence and adulthood; it cloaks a field of dreams. Be it competitive or social, a team game or a solo pursuit, whether we dedicate our lives to it or from time to time dip our toes in it, sport touches us all. The supplement in today's newspaper looking at a century of sport, nationally and internationally, reflects that view as it celebrates the outstanding athletes and teams who have pushed the boundaries of human achievement to extraordinary levels over the last 100 years and given the world a treasure chest of sporting memories.
These individuals and teams may represent the pinnacle of sporting achievement but their value to society is much more than the fleeting moment on the victory podium . The feat of winning an Olympic or All Ireland medal passes quickly but it is almost impossible to quantify the residual value of encouraging people to take up a sport, no matter at what level they play or how proficient they are likely to become.
Not alone does sport foster good health, life-long friendships and vigorous competition, it can also provide a much-needed escape valve for millions from the drudgery of daily life. But these benefits tend to be obscured by news of the latest big deal for sport; whether it's Roy Keane's £50,000 a week salary, a £500 million bond issue for rugby, or a billion dollar television deal for next year's Olympics.
Heroes and heroines who are genuinely interested in the welfare of our youth, from Republic of Ireland under-age manager Brian Kerr to Meath's Sean Boylan to the volunteers who organise events like the Community Games, are the real custodians of sporting ideals. They put sport in its proper perspective and ensure that it is true to its principles. For better or worse, sport and money are now uneasy partners, striving to protect separate codes, interests and priorities. Ultimately, however, sport has to remain sport, a concept rooted on the fields of play and not in balance sheets.