This is my first column of the winter campaign and I have to start by talking about Limerick on Monday and an afternoon that is going to be dedicated to John Thomas McNamara and Jonjo Bright.

At long last, a visionary has arrived to remedy the glaring hole in our lives. Grant Best of BT Sport — the people who are taking on Sky Sports — is convinced we don’t see enough of the anonymous drones who play in the Premier League.

Horse Racing tycoon JP McManus made the largest bid at a private auction that has raised around over €100,000 for paralysed Limerick jockey JT McNamara.

Phil Jagielka wants to prove he is the answer to Roy Hodgson’s defensive headache as England prepare to embark on what the Everton centre-back describes as a “great new era”.

Grand National-winning rider Mick Fitzgerald has spoken of his sadness and of the risks involved in racing after it was revealed by the family of rider JT McNamara that the serious neck injury he suffered in a fall at the Cheltenham Festival has led to paralysis.

Plans will be made to transfer jockey JT McNamara to a hospital nearer his family in Ireland.

Chelsea 5 Manchester United 4 (AET)

JT: Comfortable in his own skin whatever anyone else thinks

As Bart Simpson — and latterly thousands of football fans — have said, you can actually pinpoint the second his heart rips in half.

A spectacular week of European football reminded us of many things.

I CANNOT believe that the England captaincy is still making headlines in the papers — isn’t it time to just move on?

WHAT a difference a goal makes. The first half against Blackburn last Saturday was truly woeful. We were lethargic, too narrow, outfought and outpaced.

CARLO ANCELOTTI has tipped John Terry to have a big impact on this summer’s World Cup.

NINE FA Cup semi-final appearances in 17 years isn’t too shabby a statistic is it?

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy.

THERE are a lot of people out there who need a lesson in compartmentalisation. And most of them have been polluting the airwaves, blogosphere, and the newspapers over the past few days.

David Beckham does not believe England captain John Terry will move from Chelsea to Manchester City.

Japan Tobacco has agreed to acquire Britain’s Gallaher Group for nearly £10bn (€14.9bn), the largest corporate acquisition by a Japanese company, it is reported today.

HOLA from Spain! I thought I would take advantage of the international week to get away from the torrential rain and constant Chelsea-bashing for a few days.

Wayne Bridge has vowed to fight for his future at Chelsea following reports linking the club with a move for Arsenal star Ashley Cole.