MICHAEL MOYNIHAN: Similar strike rates on field and page

Ah, the late, late rethink. Bane of the columnist’s life. Last week yours truly had a tasty segment of his column nicely tucked away, simmering like a stew just beginning to brown as the flavours seep through.

Maturing nicely, and all the sweeter because nobody — nobody! — would surely have picked up on this tasty morsel from the less-travelled boreens of the sporting life.

Then, disaster. A quick flick through the Sunday newspapers and the heart-sinking sensation... you realise your idea has already been used, and is therefore dead as Dillinger.