Bruiser turns to snoozer in anticlimax

IT’S staggering how often a hugely hyped and over-anticipated event like the World Cup Final has turned into a tense defensive battle.

And in a way, so it was in the head-to-head between the two potential Taoisigh of the country, Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny last night. Presenter Miriam O’Callaghan described it as the “climax” of the election campaign but you felt that perhaps the denouement will not come until next weekend.

It was an intriguing battle. Both relaxed into the debate early. While it lacked the venom of the previous night, it was not lacking in spark. The format was as five years ago, with both leaders making a pitch at the start and then debating five pre-agreed topics including health, education and crime.