Sir, – To enjoy a sport is good in so many ways – staying active and healthy irrespective of age. Ciarán Murphy recounts his eagerness at 41 years of age to take up the challenge of transferring his skills as an outfield player to playing in goals for his club as all suitable replacements were on holiday (“Between the sticks and a hard place — my return as . . . a reluctant goalkeeper”, Second Opinion, Sport, August 17th). Lacking the necessary discipline and drills for the position didn’t hinder his enthusiasm and worked out just fine in the end for Ciarán.
While the days of physical team sport may be over for some, the message for anyone who might believe their sporting days are over is to think anew of the social, mental and health benefits of being part of a sports club and keeping active. Whether it is walking, swimming, tennis or golf, the options are many to provide the motivational drive to keep participating. The exercise gained and the enjoyment of companionship will easily compensate for any lack of the much-coveted premium skills of the sport. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.