Opening Lines: The Irish mammy could end up selling the soothing qualities of tea soon

SPORTSTAR product endorsement — it’s changed a lot. I’ve just watched a short internet video of Munster rugby player, Paul O’Connell, and boxer, Katie Taylor, talking about what drives them. They swap sports. Paul spars in the ring. Katie plays rugby.

And then, at the end, they each get into a Toyota JeepageCarrier (I think that’s the model name).

You hardly care that it’s an ad for the new Toyota Drivamachinatron. The two protagonists are so likeable. In a Hollywood movie, O’Connell would be the last person on the good side to die. His final act would be to roar and ruck through the gate and smother the detonator, thus saving the world, while the hero, LanternJaw ShineHair and his female companion, BarelyWritten LoveInterest, acknowledge Paulie’s sacrifice, before going at it like snakes.