Yesterday, July 1, was Canada Day, so I’m a little behind the times scribbling about it.

I beg forgiveness.

My Good Self has never made it to Canada so I can only offer impressions from a distance, however one of those impressions would be an admiration of the great tradition of Canadian singer/songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young.

Strange as it may seem, Canada Day is the national day of Canada. It marks the date in 1867 when the country was united and officially formed.

Given that it occupies the same continental landmass as the United States it does seem a little strange that Canada has evolved in a more civilised manner than its next door neighbour.

Possessing a more equitable health system and gun laws that are not as liberal, in many ways Canada exists in stark contrast to the US.

And rumour has it that their national sport of ice hockey has its origin in the Gaelic game of hurling.

◦ The Irish wangle their way in everywhere.

My own first memory of Canada was the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. It seemed the whole country was behind Eamonn Coghlan as he sought to win the 1500 metres gold.

Coghlan entered the final as favourite having won his heat and semi final, however tactical naivety cost him dear and he finished out of the medals in fourth place. The worst finish of all. In the 1980 Moscow Olympics he again finished fourth in the 5,000 metres.

Redemption arrived in 1983 when Coghlan went on to become world champion at 5,000 metres in Helsinki, Finland.

He was also known as the ‘Chairman of the boards’ on account of his brilliant indoor running.

Eamonn Coghlan is someone who saw both sides of athletics, the winning and losing.

He may not have taken Montreal but he did take Helsinki.

And in Helsinki a gold medal was eventually placed over his heart.

Joni, Leonard and Neil would have approved.