OPINION: Response to Peter Casey injury reflects 'genuine soundness' that exists in most people
The Limerick man had been playing out of his skin and had just nailed the sliothar into the back of the net
IN A WORLD which so often seems fraught with violence, cruelty, selfishness and one-upmanship, we all got a welcome reminder last Sunday of the compassion and, for want of a better word, genuine soundness, that exists in most people.
In the 53rd minute of the Munster hurling championship game between Limerick and Tipperary, star forward Peter Casey sustained a grave leg injury which left him crippled with pain close to the Tipperary goalmouth.
The Limerick man had been playing out of his skin, had just nailed the sliothar into the back of the net when the cheers from the crowds faded out and the RTE commentator Darragh Maloney proclaimed “Oh, my dear. Something awful has happened Peter Casey”.
Tipp’s Ronan Maher who had attempted to thwart Casey’s shot at goal also ended up on the ground.
On seeing the dire straits the Limerick man was in, he knee-walked over to the fallen hurler, gestured to the medics to respond, leaned in over Casey to comfort him, putting his hand to the side of his head before Casey’s Limerick colleagues Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch and the Limerick medical team tended to him.
Anyone who has suffered horrific pain in their life knows what any form of comfort or reassurance means in those agonising moments - be you a fierce soldier like Casey or a mere mortal like the rest of us.
Some might say that anyone would have done the same, but, in those split seconds, the instinct can often be to stay away, especially when it’s an opponent or the ‘business of the other side’.
Maher’s innate empathy was clear to see and displayed to supporters of both sides - whether in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, or watching at home on TV or on phones - a requirement of true sportsmanship - respect.
A ripple-effect, one-minute standing ovation by the crowd for Casey, accompanied by heartfelt clapping as he was stretchered off the pitch and down the tunnel to an awaiting ambulance, epitomised the deep level of admiration supporters have for their GAA stars who sacrifice so much for a sport that offers little in the way of monetary gain and everything in the way of a shared community pride.
While Limerick went on to have a convincing win over the Tipp men, Casey’s injury is all that anyone has spoken about all week.
It's been a ‘restore your faith in humanity’ moment that shows that beyond competition, beyond sport, beyond rivalries and the rest, there's a genuine acknowledgement of the sacrifice our GAA stars make for the love of the game.
Regardless of the colour of the jersey or the numbers on the scoreboard come full time, it’s moments like the 53rd minute on Sunday that define the real meaning of sport.
Best wishes to you, Peter. All of Limerick is willing you to good health once again.