The general election offers a gorgeous insight into the importance of the county boundary in modern Irish life.

A permanent haze shrouds the dividing line between heroism and stupidity – somewhere in that haze live generations of GAA referees.

One of the most interesting things about sport is how notions get stuck inside people’s heads and refuse to shift, regardless of the evidence available. A great example of this is the notion that the GAA is now ‘No Country For Old Men’.

”There’s obviously a feeling, no doubt, in certain quarters, and I don’t know exactly the reasons, some aren’t happy with the coverage,” said GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail last week, referring to the ongoing negative reaction to the GAA’s decision to sell exclusive rights to championship matches to Sky Sports.