I am very lucky in that I live within a very short distance of five parks on the South side of Dublin. This convenient location grants me the opportunity to ramble along and watch all sorts and types of sport at almost every level of competition. Over the past couple of weeks the brighter evenings of summer have encouraged me to put the collars on the dogs and head out almost every day of the week.

I have two Shih Tzu dogs, Bob and Ben, and the three of us have walked so many miles in recent weeks that the older critter Bob, has, over the last few days, simply refused to leave the house in my company because he knows the legs will be walked off him. The other fellow, who is under the distinct misapprehension that he is a greyhound, wants to run everywhere and if there ever was a Shih Tzu Olympics I would have a multiple Gold Medal winner on my hands. So dedicated is Ben to his outings that when the rare occasion crops up that I offer an unusual unwillingness to head for the park, the younger one haunts the life out of me by following me around the house growling very quietly, almost respectfully, which he knows is completely and utterly effective.

The diverse personalities of the two dogs are a constant reminder to me that every living thing possesses its own individuality. This realisation imbues in me an acceptance that my way is not the only way and if ever I needed further evidence of this irrefutable fact of life then I receive it during my walks in the parks of Dublin. In watching soccer, GAA and rugby teams in action I find it engrossing to observe the managers and coaches in action. There is of course, an underlying fabric of unbridled enthusiasm that binds these mentors whatever sport they participate in. The movement up and down the sideline, or in GAA five to ten yards onto the pitch, the unending words of "encouragement" and the unremitting frustration displayed are all reflective of the passion and desire attached to sport in Ireland.

The desire for success is palpable. Even when training these people deliver such commitment that I can only but admire the single-mindedness that brings each member back week after week despite the startlingly obvious disappointments that the vast majority of these people experience. But I have always stated that involvement itself is success and the discipline afforded by sport is of enormous benefit to those involved.

It is in soccer however, that my observations yield most information. Soccer can be a more tactical game than either GAA or rugby. Certainly outside the top levels both GAA and rugby are pretty straightforward in that play tends to flow in a more uncomplicated manner. In junior and schoolboy soccer for example, I sometimes I get the impression that the players do not know whether they should be going forwards, sideways or backwards. Because some people associated with soccer feel they should be playing a more free flowing style of game, the players tend to pass the ball for the sake of it as opposed to having a real understanding of what passing is all about. In truth, while I admire the principles in operation I have to say that the desire to play a passing style of football requires an enormous understanding and huge amounts of practise before a team, irrespective of its level of participation, can fully commit itself to playing a passing game.

Another of the difficulties associated with a team trying to play the "Arsenal" way is the parent on the sidelines. In GAA and Rugby the "get stuck in" attitude emanating from onlookers is part and parcel of the game, but if a soccer manager is attempting to encourage patience and technical improvements in his players many onlookers fail to comply or their passion overrules their heads. I was watching one game where a team played a lovely style of football. The players played one and two touch football that allowed them to control the game.

However, the onlookers, family members essentially, from the opposition side, rather than be impressed by this, or even God forbid, attempt to emulate this impressive style, simply urged their players to "don't let him do that to you" or "hit him hard" and other such impassioned suggestions. This was, I must stress, an under-10 game which underlined the reason why many of our young players never gain the technical proficiency so natural to those from other countries.

I would always compliment those who are involved in grassroots sports. They are a wonderful and necessary aspect of our society. My admiration grows each and every time I wander along the sidelines and especially so when I see a manager or coach having to tolerate the naivety and even selfishness of some parents. It would test my patience I must confess. Were I in their position I would even contemplate swapping my Shih Tzuz for a Rottweiler.

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