She’s electric.

There are big games, very big games and then there are mega games.

Ray Smith recently returned to the city where he became a Neptune legend all of 25 years ago. Though he’d started his career in the US and ended it in Spain, fate sent him to a place in between where he had previously never heard of — but it’s a place he won’t forget in a hurry.

He was making a stand for sure, but when an unflinching Martin Johnson would not be moved from that red carpet in Lansdowne Road 10 years ago, no one could have known that year would represent a last stand for England too.

One of the most sage pieces of advice offered to RTÉ head of sport Ryle Nugent was that if he survived the first 10 years without people liking or disliking his rugby commentary, he might just make it. On the eve of his 15th season behind the mic, he evidently succeeded.

Last Saturday up in Croke Park a small group of men were entrusted to make a massively important decision about the future of the game of hurling.

Ger Noonan can’t believe it’s been that long.

Back when I met Dave Hopla last March, he told a story which gives an insight into Kobe Bryant.

HE’LL never be one to bore you with talk of glory days like that guy in the bar in the Bruce song, but on those few occasions when Mick O’Driscoll reflects on the career he’s just left behind, The Miracle Game was probably his day of days alright.

This is new, whatever about being a nadir, for Cork hurling.