One of my favourite poems is an old reliable from Henry Reed, Naming of Parts.

A few years ago a GAA club official was complaining to me about another sport, and its insidious hold on his players - its pernicious influence, its seductive siren song, tempting them away from righteousness.

The sidle exists in every sport, writes Michael Moynihan

From Sport In Ireland (second edition, published 2119)

If you pitch up here with any regularity the name Mark Leibovich will be familiar to you.

I didn’t pay that much attention to the Ryder Cup, which I believe thrashed itself out in nicely creased slacks all across the weekend. Homework off and half-days from school await, writes Michael Moynihan

The news filtered through in dribs and drabs last week, but the bottom line was consistent in all versions of the story. Redmonds GAA club is to close down.

If I mention the race for the Áras, will you turn the page? You won’t? Many thanks.

A couple of points about Dublin and the GAA before we all forget about it until springtime.

Glad to be back: I was in northern Spain for a few days last week — the Basque Country specifically, and San Sebastian to be precise.