LAST WEEK’S ignominious European exit was all the more difficult to take, with the other three Premiership sides all occupying highly-prized berths in the last eight of world football’s most prestigious competition.

UNLIKE the far too many fair-weather fans, who’s disappointingly shallow commitment to the club doesn’t even extend to stopping at home games for the duration, as they’re more interested in avoiding the queues at the station than supporting their team to the death, when success next comes the Arsenal’s way, it will be the couple of thousand hardy Gooners at Goodison on Sunday who’ll truly feel they have earned it.

NORMAL service was resumed in Croke Park on Saturday, right down to the anthem being interrupted.

CASTLECOMER Community School created their own bit of history at Nowlan Park yesterday by winning the Leinster Colleges SHC title for the first time at their first attempt.

OISÍN McCONVILLE admitted favourites Crossmaglen Rangers ‘left their performance behind in the changing room’ after Saturday’s draw with Dr Crokes in the All-Ireland club football final.

THIS YEAR’S must-see blockbuster movie is 300, a stirring tale of battle set in ancient Greece featuring a tiny band of Spartans taking on a vast, unstoppable force coming out of the east.

THE redevelopment of the Cork Athletic Grounds into a modern stadium in 1976 is justifiably regarded as one of Con Murphy’s most enduring legacies to the GAA in Cork, which he served faithfully for close on 70 years.

SO MUCH in life is about timing; being in the right place at the right time.

A GOAL of sheer class by Kerry senior footballer Darren O’Sullivan was the decisive score in this Evening Echo county SFC first round replay at Coachford last night. It came in the 46th minute and it gave his side a lead they never relinquished.

JUSTICE WAS done at the end of this fabulous All-Ireland colleges A hurling final in Croke Park yesterday.

I’M really, really trying not to get excited.I know the impossible will happen and United will lose more points and we’ll be within touching distance — and then we’ll go and lose to Everton or something.

MATCH of the Day’s Goal of the Month competition is often a reasonable barometer of the Arsenal’s form.

THE high cost to both sides of dropping a point in this physical encounter on Saturday evening may not be fully appreciated until after next weekend’s final series of games in the Allianz Football League.

IT was predictable that Spurs would ring the changes in advance of tonight’s derby.

I’M not sure if it was my imagination, but as I studied the players through my binoculars when they trotted out at Ewood Park on Saturday, I sensed a distinct difference in Theo Walcott’s demeanour.

I SPENT last week living the rock and roll dream. A pal of mine is in a band who were supporting Primal Scream in Belfast, Dublin and Cork. So I booked myself a £1 budget airline ticket, travelled Ireland in a luxury tour bus and hung about as official photographer.

LAST weekend saw a football first. I’ve had lots of pals get married during the football season, but I’ve always picked the match ahead of the wedding.

SAVOUR the moment.

NED REA: Before we start, I want to tell you — I don’t want to dwell on ‘73. It’s alright for Pat, he can go back to last year, three years ago, four years ago, seven years ago – we have to go back 34 years at this stage for our last win, and I’m tired of it.

HERESY it may be on the weekend of the All-Ireland hurling final, but we turn to last Sunday’s Dublin-Kerry football semi-final for purposes of illustration.