Lining up for Trap succession stakes

We chroniclers of the round ball game can surely be forgiven just a touch of schadenfreude as we watch our oval ball counterparts a-swingin’ their picks and a-hollerin’ those ol’ managerial succession blues.

Yes, we can feel their pain as they try to keep tabs on every half-baked rumour, scour for clues from around the world and marvel at the ability of the bookies to dictate ever changing headlines, all the time haunted by the fear that one of their colleagues has a direct line to the heart of the matter and will get to unveil the new Ireland rugby coach before anyone else.

No fun that, if you’re left playing catch-up. Well do I remember the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach upon seeing the back page of what we professionals like to call “a rival organ”, on the very first morning after Brian Kerr had been stood down as Ireland manager. ‘FAI chase dream ticket of Fergie and Keane’ was the gist, a truly jaw-dropping headline which cast my own coverage that day – doubtless something sensational about someone nursing a groin strain – in a somewhat unfavourable light.