‘That pitch might do for Rod Stewart but it ain't much good for hurling.’

By the time the first rounds of the Derby and the Oaks began in Clonmel yesterday at the National Coursing meeting, which pares the numbers down from 64 to 32 for today’s second day, I was below in Cork.

I got the match in first before heading east to Hearns’ Hotel and booking into my usual room at the top of the stairs of Bianconi House.