Leading domestic footballers have registered their opposition to Ireland's scheduled game against Israel - while our internationals have yet remained silent. 

Conor Laverty’s openness after Down's victory over Donegal tells us a lot about how we should view the form and fortunes of this year’s All-Ireland contenders.

Here we were thinking the whole point of having the Ryder Cup in Ireland was to fleece the Yanks but when the scorpion tail of the free-market stings us in return, we don’t like it so much

News that the Saudis have had a mad notion that they want to start generating a return from their investments has caused ructions in the wider world of sport.

And yet, even as the Premier League’s dominance of the UEFA coefficient was continuing, the sense was of the actual pinnacle of European club football being elsewhere.

He hasn't won much but how could you say that his career was a failure?

Even as North Macedonian booby prize looms and the serious talk resumes, more parrot mask-wearing, Pink Pony Club-singing, morning pint-queueing days are surely on the way.

Sure, have a contract, Heimir. What could possibly go wrong?

With the sheer amount of money, data, coaching, fitness, conditioning and skill available, is this the best football can come up with?

It was another week of crisis for Irish football's leaders.