A monument to be erected next month honouring Thomas Kent will feature a code which can be scanned by smartphone to provide access to a website dedicated to information about the patriot and the 1916 Rising.

There is a sign on the way into the East Cork village where Jimmy Mangan lives which declares boldly – “Conna – the home of Monty’s Pass.” To many people this information might not mean much, but to those in the know, it highlights the fact that this tiny hamlet is a nest of National Hunt racing fervour and its proudest son won the sport’s biggest prize the Aintree Grand National in 2003.

Brass or bag pipes? Not much of a choice, really. But some fans are angry with the Munster Council for replacing the traditional pipe band on final day with a brass band. The TV3 honeymoon is over. They get a lash this week for the quality of their coverage and the GAA is criticised for failing to ensure live championship games are broadcast in Irish on TG4.

Angry fans pick up on some unusual aspects of Sunday’s Munster final. Like the train that “missed” Thurles station and the way the Munster Council are “skirting” – or should that be “kilting” – the issue of the choice of band at the game.

HAVING attended the county hurling finals last week at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, I, like most neutrals, felt sorry for Cloyne losing out for the third year on the trot in the senior final.