Finally, not that this column is a rugby expert or anything, but what in the name of God were Ireland doing switching off when they went 17-13 up two minutes from time and had the next puckout - sorry, we mean the French restart - coming into them? Had they never heard of Wexford's 1996 mantra, "next ball"? (Silly question. ) Eddie O'Sullivan is lucky it's only rugby he's involved in. Intercounty hurling and football managers have walked the plank for a lot less.

TYRONE BOARD SHOW THEIR AMATEUR SIDE If any rugby visitors to Croke Park this week are stunned by the stadium and refuse to believe the GAA is an amateur organisation, just point out the behaviour of the Tyrone County Board over the past few days. We've been trying to work out just what they were thinking of when they sent a letter to the GAA, asking that the GPA not be of"cially recognised.

Unfortunately, no logic can explain their actions, other than a wish to reinforce the amateur ethos. On that Mr Darcy and company, you succeeded.

But you can only imagine Mickey Harte's face when he saw the words penned by Pat and friends in Healy Park. Did not one of them realise that their own players might be a little annoyed by this? Did they not for one second think this would only bring back to mind the treatment of Brian McGuigan? Did not one of them raise a hand and suggest this would do more harm than good in their battle against the players' body?

If any of them feel threatened by the GPA and are concerned about a push for professionalism, they need not worry. An organisation is only as professional as those over it.

Compiled by Enda McEvoy and Ewan MacKenna