Former international John O’Shea, recently appointed assistant coach with the Ireland U21s, is one of twenty coaches who have been accepted onto the 2020/22 UEFA Pro Licence course run by the FAI.

A sore, itchy eye sent me into the local chemist this week to find out what ailed me, determine the nefarious nature of the exotic ‘itis’ which was doubtless at work and — no need to break it to me gently, madam, I can take it — find out how long I had left to live.