Hook called to bar after radio bet

GEORGE HOOK was hit with an uppercut to his pocket yesterday after losing a bet to a Fianna Fail TD when he publicly doubted Charlie McCreevy's ability to balance the books.

The rugby pundit and radio show host had gambled a pint with TD Conor Linehan that Finance Minister McCreevy couldn't bring Government public spending down to 14% before the end of the year.

But, George was left licking his wounds and counting his pennies when Lenihan came to collect.