Dónal Óg has courage to return in red

Last Saturday at the Emirates, when Theo Walcott twanged his hammer against Chelsea, he simply walked off the pitch, ignoring the football at his feet.

No big deal. Football’s pain threshold is at an all-time low and the afflicted knows that allowances will be made.

Sure enough, Chelsea put the ball out. Theo could begin his summer holidays guilt-free.