Devon Loch, Van de Velde & Rovers: last gasp sporting failures
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The world of sport is one full of epically tragic tales. In 1956 Devon
Loch wrote its name in the annals of horse-racing history when it
stumbled within sight of the finishing post while leading the Aintree
Grand National. In 1999 French golfer Jean Van de Velde threw away The
Open at Carnoustie, shooting a triple bogey seven at the 18th when a double bogey six
would have won him the famous Claret Jug.
Shamrock Rovers might yet write their own chapter in the troubled history of those that should have won but incredibly, inexplicably, didn’t.
There is always a trail of events that lead to any failure on the sports field and so it has been with Rovers. There was the shocking 5-1 defeat in Dundalk, the foul that led to UCD’s third goal at Belfield, and the moment when Ken Oman was first to a high ball at Dalymount Park. But if Rovers don’t recover in what is becoming an increasingly cruel campaign, one moment will stand out from all others as that in which error crystalised into failure.
With just three minutes remaining in Saturday’s game against Sporting Fingal a skewed back header from a team mate fell at the feet of Aidan Price some seven yards from his goal. He was under no obvious pressure, he should have cleared it. He didn’t.
Gary O’Neill, the Fingal striker, took advantage to level the scores and, with all the tragic momentum of gravity, a second goal was conceded two minutes later. Rovers lost a game they could not afford to lose.
Four months ago a win over the then leaders St Patrick’s Athletic put Shamrock Rovers on top of the Airtricity League and, up until this weekend, they had remained there ever since, at one point carving out a seemingly untouchable seven point lead. In that time they played football that was uninhibited, at times breathless, and often ruthless.
In one period from July into August they scored sixteen goals in five league games, and along the way they held the mighty Juventus to a 0-1 defeat on Italian soil. But Saturday’s game saw the culmination of a month in which they have pressed as many self destruct buttons as they could get their hands on.
But these are mere statistics. Real tragedy, in a sporting context, can only be truly understood when you watch it happen, when your very presence makes you a party to the event. Those that were there and watched in disbelief as a bare footed Van de Velde waded into the Barry burn know what I’m talking about.
Rovers have two games left and they may yet recover. Asked what has gone wrong for his team Michael O’Neill replied, “Lads, if I knew that I’d be working for NASA”. But maybe it’s not rocket science, just a simple lack of self belief, which would be a shame. Sometimes failure can be glorious but in Rovers’ case it just seems tragically unnecessary.
Shamrock Rovers might yet write their own chapter in the troubled history of those that should have won but incredibly, inexplicably, didn’t.
There is always a trail of events that lead to any failure on the sports field and so it has been with Rovers. There was the shocking 5-1 defeat in Dundalk, the foul that led to UCD’s third goal at Belfield, and the moment when Ken Oman was first to a high ball at Dalymount Park. But if Rovers don’t recover in what is becoming an increasingly cruel campaign, one moment will stand out from all others as that in which error crystalised into failure.
With just three minutes remaining in Saturday’s game against Sporting Fingal a skewed back header from a team mate fell at the feet of Aidan Price some seven yards from his goal. He was under no obvious pressure, he should have cleared it. He didn’t.
Gary O’Neill, the Fingal striker, took advantage to level the scores and, with all the tragic momentum of gravity, a second goal was conceded two minutes later. Rovers lost a game they could not afford to lose.
Four months ago a win over the then leaders St Patrick’s Athletic put Shamrock Rovers on top of the Airtricity League and, up until this weekend, they had remained there ever since, at one point carving out a seemingly untouchable seven point lead. In that time they played football that was uninhibited, at times breathless, and often ruthless.
In one period from July into August they scored sixteen goals in five league games, and along the way they held the mighty Juventus to a 0-1 defeat on Italian soil. But Saturday’s game saw the culmination of a month in which they have pressed as many self destruct buttons as they could get their hands on.
But these are mere statistics. Real tragedy, in a sporting context, can only be truly understood when you watch it happen, when your very presence makes you a party to the event. Those that were there and watched in disbelief as a bare footed Van de Velde waded into the Barry burn know what I’m talking about.
Rovers have two games left and they may yet recover. Asked what has gone wrong for his team Michael O’Neill replied, “Lads, if I knew that I’d be working for NASA”. But maybe it’s not rocket science, just a simple lack of self belief, which would be a shame. Sometimes failure can be glorious but in Rovers’ case it just seems tragically unnecessary.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile