Michael Moynihan in scoreboard Fortresses overthrown and fortresses restored. Yesterday in Ennis was Bloomsday, of course, but was there a whiff of Tolkien to the proceedings, with the hills and hosts and stone fastnesses, waiting to be cast down or held in the face of assault?

Consider yourself a self-respecting Rebel die-hard? Not unless you meet these criteria.

Faith, hope, Smuda. That was the headline in a Polish tabloid newspaper ahead of last night’s passionate clash between Poland and Russia, the words featuring atop a picture of national coach Franciszek Smuda charging on horseback, sabre in hand and wearing a 1920s Polish army uniform.