Mayor’s first dilemma: How many caps he won

Former rugby great Cllr Gerry McLoughlin (Lab), on being elected Mayor of Limerick last night, showed he is not a Ross O’Carroll Kelly type when it comes to bragging about sporting achievements.

As he donned his scarlet robe of office, he was asked by a reporter how many times he wore the Irish jersey. After a pause, he replied: “I don’t know exactly. I think I got one more than Pat Whelan. I was on the subs’ bench more often then I played for the international side.”

Further pressed on the exact number of caps he won, Mr McLoughlin said: “I think it was 18 or 19, I must ask somebody to look it up for me.”