Disappearing acts tragedy of the decade for Irish soccer

“GIVEN the time of the year that’s in it, I suppose you’ll be wanting an oul’ look back on the decade, boss,” I said to the Commander-In-Chief, as I plumped up the pillows behind his back and spoon-fed him his favourite tipple of brandy and Complan.

“Would have wanted it, Mackey, would have,” he barked. “But I think you’ll find that it’s now January the second, which means you’ve managed to miss yet another deadline and this time by a full 24 hours.”

“Au contraire, stout yeoman,” I cheerfully replied. “If I may be so bold, I think you’ll find that the so-called noughties don’t actually end until the 31st of December, 2010, which means, by my reckoning, that I’ve actually beaten the deadline by almost a full twelve months.”