SUDDENLY, Brian Cowen cut a chastened, hunted figure – the arrogance of a few hours earlier gone as he stood alone knowing his removal from office was now far closer than he had realised.

THEY are not called “drink-ins” for nothing.

THE Galway tent may have been blown away in the bust but things equine still dominate Fianna Fáil gatherings in the city – only these days it is the four horsemen of the economic apocalypse racing towards them.