Opening shot – Why we suffer the pain of defeat

At some point we will feel the disappointment of defeat

John Hughes experienced the disappointment of watching a group of players, which he had known since they were u-10s, lose an u-21 final.

His club Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon lost the u-21 final to Gaoth Dobhair, but the defeat reminded him that it the pursuit of glory must have it lows as well as great highs.

“But over the course of the second half it just slipped away. It was in the palm of your hand and then 11 years just evaporated.

“When you contextualise a county final defeat like that it is almost overwhelming. It is hard to take in.

“But the nature of sports drama is that it never ends. There is always another act to be played.

“Of course the defeat in that final was gut-wrenching, but football goes on. It’s like a drug, but unlike a drug; the lows are guaranteed while the highs tend to be rare and elusive. That makes them all the more powerful when you achieve them.

“And isn’t that what makes life worth living.”

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