IF, ON first meeting him, you did not know his background, you could easily imagine Chris Thackaberry strolling down O’Connell Street in a Celtic jersey or coming home from Hill 16 on a summer Sunday having seen the Dubs lose from a winning lead for the umpteenth time.

TODAY may be July 12 but the only Orange march in the Republic has already taken place — and the organisation aims to open lodges as far south as Bandon in west Cork.