Mary McAleese has become, more and more, a champion for equality

Her public persona was charming, but behind the scenes she radiated a cold determination to win, writes Fergus Finlay

I’VE decided. If there is a next life, I’m coming back as a rugby pundit. You might have been too busy tidying up after Christmas to notice, but on Stephen’s Day I wrote a column here about Shannon, Munster, and Irish Rugby. Shannon for the League and Munster for the European Cup. That’s my dream.

And I ended that column by writing: “And then, first week in February, the Six Nations starts. This is the tough year for Ireland. Although we have three home games we start away against France and we finish away against England. But hey, we’ve never won a Grand Slam in Twickenham. Last year, we stopped England from winning the Grand Slam when they came to Dublin. Wouldn’t you give your eye teeth to see them trying to prevent us from winning a Grand Slam in Twickenham?”