No expense was spared to revitalise this old farmhouse in a picturesque location, says Trish Dromey.    

Olympic medals have always been decided by milliseconds and fingernails, but it was Dave Brailsford who introduced the world to the concept of ‘marginal gains’.

The shock arrest of Pat Hickey yesterday morning has all but ended the 71-year-old’s tenure as president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, which he has led since 1989.

More confusing than boxing judges decisions, more complex than the rules of synchronised swimming, and more bizarre than BMXers competing at the Olympics, one could be forgiven for struggling to follow Ireland’s Rio Games ticket touting scandal.

The unlikely Olympian almost fuelled the unlikeliest of comebacks as Ireland’s return to the top table of international hockey after a 108-year wait came agonisingly short against India.

There’s a scene early on in the The Hunger Games where the heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence is plucked from her district on the periphery in terms of both location and life.

Talking to eventer Padraig McCarthy this week as he prepared for the startof Ireland’s Olympic challenge tomorrow, the conversation has a recurring theme: Positivity. 

Jerry Flannery enjoyed an outstanding career as a hooker with UCC, Shannon, Galwegians, Connacht, Munster, and Ireland, and completed his Masters in Sports Performance when he received a welcome call from an old friend and team mate.

It’s Swinford Railway Station on Friday, 31 July 1908.