The good new days

I DOUBT that when he started out on a career in accountancy, Neil Hughes ever imagined that the day would come when he would find himself being hailed as some kind of saviour by a crowd of football supporters.

But that was the memorable scene in the Plaza Hotel yesterday, when the court-appointed Examiner to Shamrock Rovers announced details of the plans which, pending the expected approval of the High Court, appear to have secured a bright, new future for the most famous club in the country.

After his press conference, and with the television cameras still rolling, a sheepish-looking Mr Hughes found himself all but obscured by a massive Rovers banner, whilst supporters bearing mischievous grins gathered around him to chant "Neil Hughes is a Hoop, is a Hoop, is a Hoop, is a Hoop, Neil Hughes is a Hoop he hates Bohs."