One young lad drives a long shot in, the ‘goalkeeper’ scrambles and parries the ball to one side. All is well with the world, in this moment. It might just be the most beautiful sight of the summer…
Friday
In the Roscommon People office, only a small number of the incoming emails are not coronavirus-related. According to the BoyleSports PR people, Sarah McInerney is now 5/2 to replace Sean O’Rourke in the prime Radio 1 slot. Claire Byrne “has been pushed out in the betting” to 4/1 from 5/2. Miriam O’Callaghan is still favourite, at 2/1.
A while later, BoyleSports are back in touch, advising that some Irish actors are ‘in the running’ to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. Michael Fassbender is now 5/1 (from 8/1), while Cillian Murphy is 14/1 from 33/1. ‘Normal People’ star Paul Mescal is mischeviously added on as a long shot.
Okay, BoyleSports’ PR ‘gamble’ has paid off, as their latest novelty bets’ list has gained some column inches here. But it surely would have been even more riveting/newsworthy if Claire Byrne or Miriam O’Callaghan were in the running to be the next 007 (Bond), or if Michael Fassbender or Paul Mescal were tipped to replace Sean O’Rourke.
I can only assume that betting on Marty Morrissey as the next James Bond has been suspended…
Saturday/Sunday
We’re reliably told that people are reading more during lockdown, and watching more TV/Netflix too. This is good. Personally, I’ve been on a very random journey, indulging in a few sports’ biographies and an odd mix of TV programmes!
It’s always nice to discover, and then browse in, a quaint bookshop when on holiday, and it was in one such place that I bought an old, dusty copy of Brian Clough’s biography many years ago. I might never have read the book, were it not for lockdown. Published in 1994 by Partridge Press, it’s the controversial soccer manager’s hilarious account of his life in football, complete with anecdotes that would have today’s politically correct brigade reeling. There are stories of punch-ups in training, players drinking alcohol on the way to matches, and all sorts of other controversies. Clough and his sidekick Peter Taylor were phenomenally successful (with Derby and Nottingham Forest). Both are now gone to their eternal reward. It’s a marvellous book about a golden era in English football.
I’ve now moved on to the biography of Bobby Charlton, a rather different character to Clough, and one of the all-time greats of the game.
I’ve also discovered the documentary channels on TV. Once you accept that there’s a policy of constantly repeating programmes, there are some gems to enjoy. There are fascinating programmes on World War 2, featuring remarkable and often very moving footage.
Meanwhile, the ‘America in Colour’ series is nostalgic, informative and entertaining. These programmes document the unfolding history of America from the 1920s onwards, with great footage of events now presented in high definition colour. It really is a fascinating series.
Meanwhile, any scanning of the channels is sure to lead to a sighting of the very earnest reporter Fred Dinenage, continuing his sometimes fascinating insights into the life stories of ‘Britain’s Most Evil Killers’.
Elsewhere, the ‘Gold’ channel lifts the mood with nightly repeats of classic comedies. The excellent ‘Blackadder’ is always worth a watch. I still have a soft spot for the classic gentle comedy ‘Last of the summer wine’. And when I came across a documentary on the great Tommy Cooper, I was relieved to see that his unique brand of comedy has aged really well!
Monday
On ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’, the host and his guest Michael Moore are very exercised by their mutual nemesis, Donald Trump.
The duo haven’t ruled out Trump orchestrating the postponement of November’s Presidential election. If/when it goes ahead, and if he loses, Maher and Moore reckon Trump will try to hang on in office. Maher, a comedian and broadcaster who is fiercely anti-Trump, and Moore, the renowned movie-maker and author, say they’ll lead marches to Washington if Trump plays dirty. If and when they get there (with thousands of followers), they expect to be confronted by armed Trump supporters. Crazy times in America. It all makes our fussing over Leo Varadkar ‘picnicking in the park’ seem quaint!
Tuesday
On my walk around town, in gorgeous evening sunshine, I notice a little bit of activity on one of the local sports’ pitches. Four kids are having a kickaround. There’s no tackling, just a few long passes and shots on goal. It’s responsible, with social distancing observed. The sun is glorious. An adult keeps an eye, from the sideline. Another kid is running around the pitch. One young lad drives a long shot in, the ‘goalkeeper’ scrambles and parries the ball to one side. All is well with the world, in this moment. It might just be the most beautiful sight of the summer…
