If Limerick were to win this Sunday, making it three hurling titles in four years, playing this brand of hurling, will they be crowned the GAA’s new imperial overlords?

This is a summer of fire sales and belt-tightening, bargain buys and free transfers. Exceptions to the general frugality are those like PSG, Man City, and Chelsea, financed by fossil fuel billions, or Man United, financed by car tyres, noodles, and dreams

At the time of writing Team Ireland have four medals, their joint third best total ever, and still there is a slight air of underachievement. There’s been rotten luck, injuries and some have plain underperformed

Like any exotic holiday, attempting to speak the language is part of it

It is almost as if the Olympic movement are engaged in their own version of Citius, Altius, Fortius: bigger, more expensive, more ridiculous.

What’s that? You think this dramatic conversion to the Ukrainian cause is because of who they are playing on Saturday night? How dare you...

It barely needs pointing out that the promotion of football is a key piece in Orban’s populist toolbox, alongside less happy-clappy items like the mistreatment of immigrants and the suppression of the media

It wasn’t that long ago it seemed in the middle of things in Irish football. The first all-seated League of Ireland ground, home to a successful team, big European nights. Underage internationals were played there and British clubs played pre-season friendlies there too.

Time, at last, for the tournament that insists on calling itself Euro 2020. Big, badly-assembled and a bit weird-looking, like an IKEA wardrobe designed by Salvador Dali. Let the games begin!

A tricky away tie in Eastern Europe in front of a hostile crowd. Chances at either end. Heart-in-mouth moments. Could have snatched it. A draw a fair result. You could almost hear Jimmy Magee down a crackling phone line.