Reflections on life as a Magpie fanatic

IT was James Herriot who said that enthusiasts are appealing, but fanatics are irresistible.

The prolific vet was thinking of one of the characters of his beloved Yorkshire Dales, but he might as well have been talking about Billy Costine.

Last Thursday evening in Waterford, the Bus Éireann driver launched his book, The Flight Of A Magpie, which mixes memories of his life with his long-time obsession: Newcastle United.