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The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The ICC: A members' club with a very small number of members
Writing in the Wisden, Gideon Haigh characterised the International Cricket Council (ICC) as 'an unloved beast that is ostensibly a global governing body but too often looks like a forum in which the representatives of national monopolies come to split the spoils of cricket's commercial exploitation.' In one of his more mellow moods, an ICC official once said that 'if we sold the television rights to ICC board meetings, we would make a fortune…' Another thought meetings of the ICC Executive Board are almost pointless, since 'Everything has been decided by the time they take place, on the basis who owes a favour to whom.' How did cricket get to where it is today? The glib answer is, the greatness of its players, from W.G. Grace to Virat Kohli, guided by a benevolent international governing body which has had only the game's interests at heart. If only. But while there are numerous biographies of Grace and Kohli, we haven't had someone getting into the nitty gritty of how the ICC ran the sport. Until now that is, when an Australian, Rod Lyall has, after deep research into primary sources published The Club: Empire, Power and the Governance of World Cricket. This is what the ICC has always been, 'a members' club, with a very small number of members', says the author. Today it is seen as merely an events management company, the real power being in the hands of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Changing times From colonial power to money power, from exclusivity to inclusion, from being a Commonwealth preserve to welcoming the wider world, from being seen as the MCC's Foreign Desk to an extension of the ruling BJP, and the possible take-over of the game by corporates, the journey of the ICC has been unique. No single country has the kind of clout India has in cricket in any other sport. Brazil might be football to many, but they don't rule it. The skewed position was built into the ICC from the start. As Lyall writes, the central objective (of the ICC) had been to 'concentrate power in a small number of hands, and to protect the interests of that small group at the expense of anyone else….the administrators had been consistent in their exploitation of race and class to maintain their grasp on power.' The eagerness with which the ICC is wooing the United States is ironical considering they were kept out for not being in the Commonwealth. 'The US might have been invited to join in 1909 but had been kept out by that unfortunate War of Independence back in the 1770s,' comments Lyall drily. The ICC has been chary about dealing with the big issues: corruption, politics, on-field changes, but has defended its turf keenly. By the 1930s, when the original three members had expanded to six with the inclusion of New Zealand, West Indies and India, it proposed that the founding members would have two votes and the newcomers just one each. It was only in 1947 that a First-Class match was defined. ICC meetings were 'the usual mixture of platitudes and procrastinations.' India's attempts to shake the grip on the game and its administration from England and Australia began with the shifting of the World Cup to the subcontinent in 1986-87 after the first three had been held in England. A few years later, the founding members lost the power of veto, and Jagmohan Dalmiya, speeded up the eastward shift. When the ICC shifted its headquarters from London to Dubai, one newspaper headline said simply, 'ICC Moves Closer to Money'. Dalmiya's membership drive not only gave India greater influence thanks to the votes the new countries had, it also hastened the acceptance of cricket into the Olympic fold. India's argument has been, since the time of N. Srinivasan, that when England and Australia were calling the shots, no one else had a say in matters but now it was India's turn. Srinivasan became the ICC's first chairman in 2014, and set about establishing India's suzerainty in the sport. Is the ICC a necessary evil or an unnecessary do-gooder or a mix of the two depending on the situation? The Club gives us the background to decide for ourselves.
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘The personification of sunshine' – Ireland's oldest person Sarah Coyle is laid to rest
Mrs Coyle, who at 108 was Ireland's oldest person, lived through two pandemics, the Irish Civil War and the War of Independence. She was a native of Knockatomcoyle, Co Wicklow, but lived with her daughter Marian Galligan in Castleknock in Dublin. She died peacefully on Monday surrounded by her family. Her granddaughter Anne Marie told mourners at St Brigid's Church in Blanchardstown in Dublin today that her Nana was the 'personification of sunshine'. 'You felt her warmth. She radiated a positive energy and you would be left with a glow from simply basking in her presence. Like the song goes she made you happy when skies were grey,' she said. 'It is true Nana had much suffering or heartache in her life. She didn't dwell on it. She refused to let it define her. She actively chose happiness and love. Repeatedly.' Anne Marie said that her grandmother had lost her sight by the age of 40. 'Despite living in total darkness for much of her long life she brought light to so many. She was a masterclass in resilience,' she said. 'She proved your energy creates a ripple. When you choose healing over hate, peace over pride and love over fear you become the light that someone end was praying for. 'Today Nana we marvel at your courage, we celebrate your strength and we are forever grateful for your sunshine. The world is so much brighter from you having been in it. 'Your love and sunbeams will continue to shine through all of us whom you have loved so fiercely. You can rest in peace now Nana knowing that you were the very best in nana's and the very best in women.' Anne Marie added that her grandmother was a person of many skills. Sarah, who was widowed in 1968, was a 'talented seamstress and avid gardener' who could singlehandedly flip a double mattress and change sheets until her 90s when her family 'begged her to stop'. Her son-in-law Anthony said that Sarah often marvelled at her longevity. 'She used to say 'I can't believe I'm a hundred years old and I'm still here. I wonder if God has forgotten about me?' And we would say 'Far from it. He hasn't forgotten about you. But you still have important work on earth and he is leaving you here.' 'She would break in to a lovely smile and say 'I suppose he will call me when he needs me.' Anthony said that his mother-in-law had a great sense of fun and would want her funeral to be a happy event. He remembered her 'lovely smile and 'kind words' and indicated that she was a role model to her loved ones. 'By the age of 40 she was almost totally blind. You would think that was as a parent of a young family a tremendous challenge. I can only imagine what it must have been like,' Anthony said. 'She quickly gathered herself. She said there was two choices - 'I could either go under or spend the rest of my life feeling sorry for myself.' She was an inspiration.' Fr John Gilligan, who celebrated the mass, said that it was being watched online by Sarah's 103-year-old sister Lily, who is based in Birmingham in the UK and by her son Patrick who lives in Melbourne, Australia. Fr Gilligan said that the congregation were in the church to celebrate a 'life well lived'. 'Almost 109 years of life. What changes she would have seen from the Ireland of 1916 to the Ireland of today,' he said. 'When you look at her life she was one who lived it to the full. Her advice to people was 'Don't bear grudges. Be kind to people.' 'We think of all the things she went through in life. The history. 1916. Raised in the that time. She even talks about the Black and Tans. All the stories we hear of in history she experienced so much of in her life. 'She loved to have the minister of the eucharist come to her in the parish. I have always been impressed by the care Marian and Anthony gave to her. 'This day three weeks ago I went up to visit her after the ten o'clock mass here. We brought her communion and we anointed her. And I said 'I hear you have a big birthday coming up.' And she had a lovely big smile. I said 'when were you born?.' She said 'the 24th of July 1916.' 'She was full of joy living life to the full. It was wonderful to see the type of person she was. 'She was always a lady with a great sense of fun. She loved people and she loved chatting with them. 'She kept herself informed with current affairs. Radio Éireann and Liveline. She was always one step ahead with the quick retort.' Offertory gifts at the 10am mass included holy water, signifying Sarah's deep faith, a 'talking book', seeds to represent her love of gardening and a picture of Sarah with her family on the occasion of her 100th birthday. As a young woman Sarah worked in Foxrock in Dublin where she was employed as a housekeeper. She met her husband Tom Coyle at a dance. He was a native of Cavan who worked as a postman until ill health set in in his late fifties. The couple lived in Drumcondra, and had four children, two of whom died as newborns. Mrs Coyle became the oldest person in Ireland following the death on March 20th last in Letterkenny in Co Donegal of 109-year-old Ruby Druce. Sarah Coyle is survived by her two adult children, her son in law, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends. She was pre-deceased by eight of her nine siblings. After her funeral mass today she was laid to rest in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
A Tipperary All-Ireland final day tradition like no other
Almost 102 years ago, Tipperary captain Johnny Leahy stepped off the train in Heuston Station and led his team to the GPO. They had the delayed 1922 All-Ireland senior hurling final against Kilkenny to play that September day in 1923 but it was a pilgrimage for other reasons too. On O'Connell Street, they paid their silent respects to the fallen of the Easter Rising before making the short stroll to Talbot Street. There, where their fellow countyman, GAA member and Tipperary IRA leader Seán Treacy perished two years earlier, they recited prayers before walking to Croke Park for the job in hand although Kilkenny won out. Ever since, Tipperary people have marked their appearance in an All-Ireland final with a commemoration of Treacy's death. Sunday is the 28th since Leahy commenced a tradition like no other. Without it, All-Ireland final day wouldn't be the same for many Tipperary supporters. 'I can tell you one thing, if it wasn't done, there would be an outcry,' says former county chairman and co-organiser Seán Nugent. 'It's a sort of an unofficial event but I received several phone-calls to know if it was going ahead. If it wasn't, some of us would be getting plenty of stick!' It's as much now a gathering to hold up a custom started by the county team and a poignant means of starting the build-up on the day as a remembrance of how intertwined the GAA was with the republican cause. Soloheadbeg man Treacy would have been known to many of the 1922 Tipperary team, especially Leahy. A protagonist in the first shots of the War of Independence at his homeplace in 1919, the 25-year-old was later a member of Michael Collins's 'Squad' with his great friend Dan Breen. He died on October 14 1920, a month before Bloody Sunday, killed by the British Secret Service while himself fatally shooting one of them. Two bystanders also died in that flurry of bullets outside Peadar Clancy's drapery shop at 94 Talbot Street. For Nugent, this will be his 19th commemoration. He's been attending since the 1961 All-Ireland final when Toomevara's Matt Hassett, who passed away earlier this year, was the winning captain. For many years, Nugent and Liam Ó Donnchú, who will be master of ceremonies at Sunday's event beginning at noon, had been assisting historian John Hassett who had been vital to keeping the flaming lit. After Hassett's passing in late 2019, the duty now falls to them. Songs including 'Tipperary So Far Away', which was composed by Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers in Treacy's honour, and 'Amhrán na bhFiann' will be sung. 'The Proclamation of the Irish Republic' will too be read. 'For many people, the oration sends them up the road to Croke Park in great spirits,' says Nugent. 'In 2016, Seamus Leahy (Johnny's nephew) led the commemoration. At the end of it, he said, 'And the very best of luck to both teams today. May the best team win and may that team be wearing blue and gold jerseys.'' This weekend's commemoration is significant for a few reasons: it is obviously the first since John Hassett passed away but his daughter Niamh will be giving a decade of The Rosary at it. GAA president Jarlath Burns will be part of the ceremony too along with Tipperary band Rebel Hearts. 'John took the whole thing fairly seriously,' Nugent says. 'And it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to organise either because you had to get a public address system set up there in Talbot Street. Parking cars and traffic can be difficult around there on that day. 'John had a huge grá for remembering our patriotic dead and not for him it may not have continued. We're following his example now and hopefully we can keep it going.' In a first-ever Tipperary-Cork All-Ireland final, the indelible connection between Treacy and Collins will not be lost either and a large Cork representation will be among the couple of thousand people expected to attend. Treacy's death also came 11 days before Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney's following his hunger strike in Brixton Jail in London. Treacy now lies in the cemetry in Churchquarter, Kilfeacle between Golden and Tipperary town. The Kilcommon club in West Tipperary is named after him as is Arravale Rovers's grounds in Tipperary town. His memory is enshrined by those institutions but for many he is the start of a Tipperary All-Ireland final day.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland's oldest woman to be laid to rest this Friday after passing away at 108
Ireland's oldest woman, who lived through the War of Independence, the Civil War and World War II, has passed away at the age of 108. Sarah Coyle, who was understood to be Ireland's oldest woman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday evening, just days away from celebrating her 109th birthday, DublinLive reports. Sarah took the mantle as Ireland's oldest woman earlier this year after Ruby Druce, who was previously Ireland's oldest woman, passed away at the age of 109 in March. Born on July 24, 1916, in Knockatomcoyle, Co Wicklow, Sarah was one of 10 siblings, two of whom also reached over the age of 100. Sarah, whose maiden name was Byrne, married her husband Tom Coyle in the 50s and moved to Drumcondra, where the two lived happily together until he passed away in 1986. Mrs Coyle, who had received eight presidential medals each year after she turned 100, lost her sight when she had turned 40, but this did not stop her love of gardening and she had a keen fondness for radio. Sarah will be dearly missed by her adoring children and son-in-law, her sister, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as all of her extended family and friends. She is pre-deceased by her eight siblings and husband. A reposal will take place at Sarah's daughter's home on Thursday, July 17, from 5pm to 7pm. Removal to St. Brigid's Church, Blanchardstown will take place on Friday morning, July 18, arriving for Requiem Mass at 10am followed by burial in Glasnevin Cemetery. Sarah's Funeral Mass may be viewed online here. Only family flowers are requested. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
16-07-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Ireland's oldest woman Sarah Coyle dies peacefully at the age of 108
'You knew when you were talking to her that you were in the presence of someone significant' – says Mrs Coyle's grandson Mrs Coyle, who was born in Knockatomcoyle, Co Wicklow on July 24, 1916, died peacefully surrounded by her family in Co Dublin on Monday evening, 10 days before her 109th birthday. Her grandson, Thomas Galligan, said his grandmother was an 'inspiration', who lived an amazing life through two pandemics, the Civil War, the War of Independence and two World Wars. "You knew when you were talking to her that you were in the presence of someone significant. She was amazing,' he said. She was one of 10 siblings – and one of three who lived over the age of 100. Her younger sister, Lily, aged 103, lives in Birmingham in the UK. One of Ireland's oldest people, Sarah Coyle, celebrating her 108th birthday last July. She grew up in Coolkenno before moving to Dublin at the age of 17, where she married her husband Tom Coyle – a near namesake of the place where she was born in Co Wicklow – in 1950. She lost her sight just seven years later, at the age of 40, though lived independently for much of her life following her husband's death in 1986. Mrs Coyle has two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. "She loved children, even though she couldn't see she would know the sound of the children's voices. She was just so happy when she had children with her,' said Mr Galligan. Mrs Coyle had been living with her daughter, Marian Galligan, in Castleknock, Co Dublin, for the last number of years. Her son, Patrick, lives in Australia. She received eight Presidential medals throughout her life, one for the year she turned 100 and another for each year since. "She was always someone who was so comforting. She had a very gentle way about her, someone that you go to if you're upset or have any issues. She would calm you,' said her grandson Mr Galligan. "She loved nothing more than having a cup of tea and chatting away for hours. She would just be so happy with the company. Ireland's oldest woman Sarah Coyle, who died yesterday at the age of 108. "Because she lost her sight, the radio was her insight into what was going on in the world. She loved keeping on top of things and then, when she would be chatting to us, she would be discussing it and getting our opinion on things.' Mr Galligan said his grandmother was a 'kind-hearted person who would have never held grudges against anyone' and was the type of person who would say 'life is too short to be holding grudges'. "She always thought about others before she thought about herself. She was a very kind, gentle soul, gentle person.' Mr Galligan recalled how his grandmother could recount stories from the War of Independence, encounters with the Black and Tans, and the rationing faced by the country during the Second World War. Sarah Coyle. "She lost her sight when she lived on her own. She loved gardening and flowers. She used to have different guide wires that she made by herself with her hands, to guide from the back door to the flower beds and she knew exactly where the tomato plants and the roses were, to guide herself around. "She was very adaptable with a positive outlook on life. She learned to be happy with what she had and if her family was happy, she was happy.' Like most things in her life, he said she took the title of being one of Ireland's oldest people 'in her stride' and her family has many happy memories of time spent with her. "If we could all aspire to that. Her whole mantra was to kind of 'live and let live, life is too short to be having arguments'.' A funeral mass for Mrs Coyle will take place in Blanchardstown Village Church on Friday morning at 10am, before she is laid to rest alongside her late husband in Glasnevin Cemetery. Ireland's oldest woman Sarah Coyle, who died yesterday at the age of 108 Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 16th
