FAIR-WEATHERED PASS OVER YEARBOOK

Strange folk, GAA supporters. This time last year, there wasn't a copy of the Kilkenny Yearbook to be had. Now shops are piled high with the 2004 edition.

Sure, it's one way of encapsulating the difference between All Ireland victory and defeat. But wasn't 2004 probably the most enjoyable summer Kilkenny have had prior to the closing moments? You'd imagine real supporters would buy their county yearbook every year because, well, buying, reading and hoarding away yearbooks is the sort of thing real supporters do.

EARLY MORNING IN THE BIG APPLE

Ever willing to actually make phone calls to "ll this column instead of waiting for inspiration, Sideline Cuts rang The Other Ger Cunningham . . . the UL and Newtownshandrum one . . .

during the week to "nd out if he'd be double-jobbing now that he's joined Thurles Sars"elds as coach.

Cue sound effects of the single ring tone that tells you the owner is abroad. TOGC answered promptly. No, he wouldn't be involved with Newtownshandrum in 2005, although he was with them now for the "nal time, on a holiday to New York and Florida, he revealed.

He did so politely too, seeing we'd rung him at 11.30am Irish time, or 6.30am New York time.

We somehow managed to refrain from asking if he was only coming in at that hour.

HERE'S HOPING FOR THE NEW YEAR

Given the time of the year, Sideline Cuts may reveal its wishlist for 2005 on behalf of the media.

One: may players and mentors refrain from saying "No one gave us a chance" after winning. We just saw Trevor Mortimer's review of Mayo's year and he used that line about the build-up to the Galway game. Not true. Ray Silke tipped his own county's downfall. Even Sean Og O hAilpin was at it after the All Ireland despite an analysis of that weekend's newspapers showed more pundits tipped Cork. Resist, fellas; it's repetitive, a tad ungracious and, oh so often, wrong.

Two: may managers allow hurlers to be as accessible to the media as their football counterparts are.

And most importantly, may the regular inhabitants of the Croke Park press box be allocated their usual seats for the U2 gigs this summer. It's only fair, isn't it?

Compiled by Enda McEvoy and Kieran Shannon sport@tribune. ie

FAIR-WEATHERED PASS OVER YEARBOOK

Strange folk, GAA supporters. This time last year, there wasn't a copy of the Kilkenny Yearbook to be had. Now shops are piled high with the 2004 edition.

Sure, it's one way of encapsulating the difference between All Ireland victory and defeat. But wasn't 2004 probably the most enjoyable summer Kilkenny have had prior to the closing moments? You'd imagine real supporters would buy their county yearbook every year because, well, buying, reading and hoarding away yearbooks is the sort of thing real supporters do.

EARLY MORNING IN THE BIG APPLE

Ever willing to actually make phone calls to fill this column instead of waiting for inspiration, Sideline Cuts rang The Other Ger Cunningham . . . the UL and Newtownshandrum one . . .during the week to find out if he'd be double-jobbing now that he's joined Thurles Sarsfields as coach.

Cue sound effects of the single ring tone that tells you the owner is abroad. TOGC answered promptly. No, he wouldn't be involved with Newtownshandrum in 2005, although he was with them now for the final time, on a holiday to New York and Florida, he revealed.

He did so politely too, seeing we'd rung him at 11.30am Irish time, or 6.30am New York time.

We somehow managed to refrain from asking if he was only coming in at that hour.

HERE'S HOPING FOR THE NEW YEAR

Given the time of the year, Sideline Cuts may reveal its wishlist for 2005 on behalf of the media.

One: may players and mentors refrain from saying "No one gave us a chance" after winning. We just saw Trevor Mortimer's review of Mayo's year and he used that line about the build-up to the Galway game. Not true. Ray Silke tipped his own county's downfall. Even Sean Og O hAilpin was at it after the All Ireland despite an analysis of that weekend's newspapers showed more pundits tipped Cork. Resist, fellas; it's repetitive, a tad ungracious and, oh so often, wrong.

Two: may managers allow hurlers to be as accessible to the media as their football counterparts are.

And most importantly, may the regular inhabitants of the Croke Park press box be allocated their usual seats for the U2 gigs this summer. It's only fair, isn't it?

Compiled by Enda McEvoy and Kieran Shannon sport@tribune. ie