‘Glorious defeat’ at the Old Head

It was, in the words of a local sage, a day borrowed from the weather gods at the Old Head of Kinsale. The water sparkled, the sky stayed blue and the breeze was testing enough to brook no debate about who was boss.

It was one power struggle the ex-president of America was always going to lose.

Fifteen of the last 18 US presidents ’fessed up to being keen golfers, and Clinton is one of the more able. Therefore, the chance to play the world-renowned jewel outside Kinsale in Co Cork yesterday — and renew some special acquaintances into the bargain — was a few hours too good to pass up.