Ireland and its inhabitants have often been described as being 'sports mad'. As a relatively small geographical entity, Ireland, north and south, has produced a disproportionately high number of world class sports men and women who have excelled at the highest levels of their chosen sport. The significance of sport in Ireland though extends far beyond the achievements of such individuals. Sport has historically assumed a centrality in the lives of the island's inhabitants, a fact that can be measured by the numbers and commitment of participants as well as the emotional and financial...