Back in 1990, when I’d just started out on the full-time football-writing beat, I happened to find myself in the old FAI headquarters on Merrion Square one evening in the company of various officials, guests and media folk.

Back in my Hot Press days, there was a football-mad colleague of mine whose first words upon arriving in the office of a morning were not “hello” or “good day” or even “there were leaves on the track at Donabate”.

MUSIC fans will today mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Phil Lynott, remembered by many as one of the country’s greatest rock stars.

I SPENT a pleasant hour yesterday morning in the company of an acclaimed author, sipping coffee and discussing sexual anxiety, masturbation and football.