The Best of Enemies – McSherry’s Musings

Okay, it’s an odd title but let me explain… Great rivalries fill sport stadiums; Ali – Frazier, Borg – McEnroe, Eubank – Benn and closer to home Tyrone and Armagh in the years labelled the ‘noughties’.

In 2002, Armagh won the Sam Maguire Cup for first time with Croke Park a-fire with orange. I recall an Armagh man in Dungannon tell us he would love to describe how it felt to be All-Ireland champions but we wouldn’t understand. My heart was heavy.

No! I wasn’t happy for the neighbours! Deep inside I knew then, we would never reach the Holy Grail. However a force was stirring as Tyrone players looked across the Blackwater and thought, “If they can do it, by God…” Armagh the great protagonist was a greater antagonist. For the next five years, Tyrone versus Armagh developed into a rivalry that became part of GAA folklore. They met in the 2003 All-Ireland final with passions so inflamed, there was talk of supporter segregation, previously unheard of in the GAA. Tyrone reached the final and awaited the winners of the other semi-final. “If it’s Donegal it will be a party, if it’s Armagh it will be war!” was the refrain. It was however, a wonderful day when Armagh fans congratulated exhilarated rival supporters and, knowing the feeling said, “Enjoy it!”

For the next few years though, it was hot and heavy as the gladiators met in the Ulster and All-Ireland series.

I saw lads outside a pub in Armagh burn a Tyrone flag as we blew our horns in triumph on the way home. I really did! Canavan – Mugsy – Bellew – McGeeney… glorious days! For all the ‘hatred’ what we wouldn’t give to have the Red Hands and the Orchard back battling for the big prize. The players on both sides had a special shared experience.

The great Kerry and Dublin teams went hammer and tongs in the 1970s. Without each other it would have been a dander to the steps of the Hogan Stand on the third Sunday of September.

When the curtain came down as it inevitably does, the players from the Kingdom and the capital forged great friendships often going on golfing weekends, no doubt to reminisce and laugh together. They were the best of enemies and the best of friends.

I have witnessed many of these rivalries in different sports during my life.

Back to the ‘70s again, when heavyweight boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier did battle. They had three incredible fights that went some distance, 44 rounds of power with Frazier unable to come out for the final round in their third meeting. Ali versus Frazier stopped the world. Ali had deeply hurt Smokin’ Joe calling him an ‘Uncle Tom’ (a black man considered to be excessively obedient or servile to white people). Frazier also hurt Ali with a left hook in the first fight before ‘The Greatest’ won the subsequent titanic two bouts. Ali later realised he went too far. He said, “I called him names I shouldn’t have called him. I apologise for that.

I’m sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight”. The comments cut Frazier deeply leading to lingering resentment. He finally forgave Ali, saying, “I’ll accept that, shake his hand and hug him when I see him.

“This has been going on too long… we have to embrace each other.” They had been through too much together in the ring to be estranged. Opponents who go to that level share a unique experience.

Chris Eubank had a searing rivalry with Nigel Benn that was documented in the book ‘The Hate Game’, written by Ben Dirs. They fought twice in the early ‘90s resulting in a win for Eubank and a draw. The crowds were at fever pitch with millions watching on TV. In a wonderful documentary on eccentric Eubank, complete with tweed jacket and moniker, he met with Benn, ‘The Dark Destroyer’. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheeks, an incredible bond between them. “We did it!” said Eubank, “and we had the crowd going wild. I needed you!”… “I needed you,” laughed Benn.

There were contests which had family members cheering for either side. Diametric personalities make fabulous rivals.

The Bjorn Borg – John McEnroe tennis rivalry was described as “fire and ice”. They met regularly between 1978 and 1981, an on-court rivalry highlighted by contrasting temperaments and styles. Borg was a cool Swede, McEnroe a brash American famed for his courtside tantrums.

In 1980 McEnroe reached the singles final at Wimbledon for the first time to meet Borg, who was aiming for a record five-in-a-row. Widely considered one of the best tennis matches ever played, Borg lifted the coveted trophy. A year later they met again in the final, this time McEnroe the victor. Borg retired shortly afterwards. McEnroe was bereft.

How could he walk away from this?! He needed Borg. It was an epic rivalry depicted in the movie, ‘Borg vs McEnroe – the incredible true story of two legendary rivals.’ So great was the appetite of spectators to re-live those days, they went on to play exhibition games with McEnroe ranting at umpires just like old times.

It is a joy to witness rivals at the top of their game bringing out the best in each other. The greatest rivals often forge bonds to become the greatest friends.