President Mary McAleese will lead the send off for seven round-the-world yachts today when they leave Galway's shores for Sweden on the final stages of the Volvo ocean race.

NOW I know that Roy Keane said that he planned to take a walk around the town on what was his first visit to the City Of The Tribes but what I actually behold on Eyre Square at about midday on Thursday is simply gob-smacking: Keano, dressed in civvies, walking down the street, hand in hand with a big burly bloke in full drag – tight floral print dress, cascading wig of blonde curls, tricky open-toed fashion sandals and pronounced five o’clock shadow.

OF ALL the birthdays, this was the hardest. Thirty-three ... the age of Christ.