LARRY RYAN: Reprieve for the dark artist

It now looks like a great betrayal will be averted today.

A sport was set to turn its back on the resourceful band of men and women who have held it together for so long. Like Blofeld ordering his smugglers’ execution as soon as he had enough diamonds for a laser satellite.

Just as ruthlessly, Gaelic football was keen to hang its greatest servants out to dry. Rather than honour them quietly for their cooperation to date, Gaelic wants to show foulers the black card.