Talented Dowler makes his mark as Ireland take bronze

FOR years, they will be talking about that June week in Dublin, when the sun was shining and everyone was smiling, when the city didn't smother as much and there was enough human faith to go around for one and all.

They will gather under their summer umbrellas and wonder did it really happen, a time when Dublin restored both your faith in humanity and Irish weather.

But after a week of sunshine and soul-shine, it was back to the traditions of summer in Belfield yesterday, the rain returning with a vengeance. Despite this, there was no sign of dampened spirits around UCD. As throngs circled pitch five, only a few with the foresight to bring umbrellas, people didn't mind getting drenched to the skin. The football was warming them.