Those moralising about the relevance of the breakup of Katie McCabe and Irish teammate Ruesha Littlejohn, and its fallout, ought to recall how their love story first came into the public domain 

Your correspondent has been on the ground doing his utmost to keep up, keep awake and keep ahead in the context of struggling to shake off jetlag from three flights spanning 20 hours in the air.

Ireland’s record goalscorer always possessed a knack of seeing around corners and he knew what to expect at a press conference following his confirmation as Maccabi Tel Aviv boss.

All ten of the top-flight sides have something to play for, be it the title, European qualification or avoiding the relegation playoff and the automatic trapdoor to the First Division.

There’s no guarantee that Tom Cannon will be emulating the manoeuvre perfected by Rice and Jack Grealish before him but history hasn’t favoured Ireland once that dreaded hiatus to a budding international career begins.

The absence of a sponsor for the men’s team, and their missing out on the bonanza of qualification for three tournaments on the spin, suffocates cashflow whatever the spin doctors espouse.

Lifetime stadium bans form one deterrent but how this unfolds from the police inquiry is what is being closely watched.

By the time the vaunted greatest league in the world wraps up on Sunday, Irish involvement over the 20 teams’ 38-game series will cling onto double figures.

Everybody knew Brexit would be a game-changer in Ireland and U17 European finals starting tonight may supply the first indicators as to whether it will be a whole new ball game on the pitch.

Having missed one window of opportunity, getting the next one right will determine what type of window into the future beckons for City.