>> WHAT'S THE STORY?

THE launch of the "fth Annual Dublin Docklands Festival of Football takes places this week. This very successful event has been helping young people from the Docklands area to develop their soccer skills and become more con"dent, accomplished players. Some of Ireland's top footballing stars give their time to coach the participants. The festival caters for young boys and girls, aged 8 to 13 years old, from the Dublin Docklands and the surrounding area.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said this is one of his favourite events in year. "[The children] come from an area that, in many ways, has been left behind in the progress that's been made in the city, " he said. "And they're standing up for where they're from, they're building their character. I'm very proud of them. It's probably the most enjoyable thing I do throughout the calendar."

>> WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The event is running earlier than normal this year, taking place from 10-12 April. The man who's been there since the very beginning . . . footballing legend Niall Quinn . . .will be one of the coaches. He'll work alongside former Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly, former Northern Ireland International Chris Nichol, former Irish striker Don Givens and the man who needs no introduction . . .John Aldridge.

Grin and bare it . . .

>> WHAT'S THE STORY?

the sun is here to stay ITmight only be the start of April but the shorts and t-shirts are out in force as the weather has turned mild and sunny. How come the Easter holidays were never this warm when we were kids? And another quibble . . . what is it about Irish people and their tendency to bare their milky white bodies at the slightest ray of sunshine? Anyway, with temperatures hitting the high teens and the good weather set to continue, the bank-holiday weekend is looking good.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

According to Met Eireann, last Thursday was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees in Kilkenny (hence all the photos of people in bikinis). And unlike the usual trend, the weather is actually going to stay this good. Yes, even tomorrow. In fact, the Met Eireann spokeswoman said, "It looks like there's going to be good weather for the next week, with very little rain, no strong winds and temperatures above normal."

Hurrah.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Go shopping for a decent pair of sunglasses . . .

you'll need them. And call in sick to work. In the hot spell last summer, one in five Irish people said they had taken some illegitimate time off work to enjoy the good weather or were seriously considering it if the good weather continued. Bad news for businesses, which lose /1.5bn a year due to absences. All the same, enjoy it while it lasts. My inner pessimist predicts a rotten summer.