Two more GAA books worthy of mention for the Christmas stocking list. The "rst is the latest effort by Ollie Byrnes, that invaluable chronicler of hurling matters Dalcassian. Saffron and Blue: Clare Hurling Lore 1906-2006 is the fruits of two decades of interviews with Banner stalwarts past and present.

"Many commentators tell us that there was 'a famine' in Clare hurling pre-1995, " Byrnes says in his introduction. "I remember no such famine. What I do remember was a great passion in the county for hurling and a hunger for success." Saffron and Blue is a hugely impressive labour of love.

Applause too for Finbarr McCarthy, well known on Leeside as the gaelic games correspondent of 96/103FM, on hitting the bookshelves with Great GAA Moments 2006. Published by Mentor Books and priced at 19.99, this is a handsome and glossy publication that does exactly what it says on the tin.

HOOKED ON HELPING A GREAT CAUSE

Though Sunday evening is normally a wasteland of good television, today's schedules provide an oasis of hope in more ways than one. Check out TV3 at 6pm for Hooked: Alan Kerins in Africa, an hour-long documentary filmed in March and focusing on the Galway hurler's charity project in western Zambia. Great cause, great guy and hopefully it'll be a great programme.

SIGN UP FOR A STINT IN NEW MODEL ARMY

Dublin-based Wexford readers not already aware that the Wexford GAA Supporters Club has been relaunched in the capital . . . well, they'll be aware of it now, won't they? Your county needs you, people. Give Ben Healy a ring on 086-4049435.

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE AN

18-YEAR-OLD MINOR After all the usual rubbish talked at this year's Christmas party, Sideline Cuts was glad to stumble away with some advice it would now like to pass on to its valued readers. Not advice for the feminists amongst us, granted, but some practical advice for pregnant women.

We'd like to ask those expecting to do their very best to hang on until after the New Year. Not too easy, we know, but trust us, your new born will thank you in years to come when they have an extra year playing minor. And to make life easier in future, try conception after the club finals.