FF woos Trinity freshers with sex and booze

IT'S freshers' week in Trin­ity this week and to woo new recruits the Wolfe Tone Fianna Fáil Cumann has produced a snappy – and funny – brochure.

As well as references to sex (well they are appealing to hormonally-challenged students), there is a nice line in self-deprec­ation including a headline, 'Want to be part of this? Are you sure?' adding: "Body armour will be provided to new members to shield you from any missiles which may be lobbed by the 97% of the electorate who hate us."

But given the furore surrounding events at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Galway last Monday night, it's the section 'What Trinity Fianna Fáil is all about' that is most ironic. "Being Fianna Fáil," the brochure says, "we also enjoy a good drink and find that discussion often flows better in the pub anyway. A highlight of the first term every year is our trip to the Dáil (Bar) where you can experience first hand some of the out-of-control drinking which has made this country what it is today".

It continues: "Guys, the first time you make awkward urinal conversation with a member of the cabinet is a memory to be treasured forever. Girls, ask Mary Coughlan for a lend of her perfume."

Labour's tea party prudery

Mixed messages from the Labour Party's tea drinking photo opportunity. Did Pat Rabbitte and Eamon Gilmore come across as a tad too smug as they sipped from their thick white hotel cups while that storm in eight pint glasses (plus a couple of red and white wine receptacles) brewed around Brian Cowen? While the state of the economy is enough to sober everyone up, does Labour really want too many symbolic associations with the priggish, ultra-conservative right-wing Tea Party sweeping the US?

Blaney tones canvassing muscles on a bicycle

Hats off to Fianna Fáil Donegal North-East TD Niall Blaney who, along with three fellow Donegal men, spent from Wednesday to yesterday cycling the 400 miles from Mizen Head to Malin head to raise money for the Donegal Hospice and the Bunny Bear Appeal. Speaking on a break from the grind last Friday, Blaney admitted to tired legs – despite an ice bath the night before – but it should leave him in great shape for the canvass if all the speculation about a general election in the new year proves accurate.

TWO of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party slipped away from the dinner in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway last Monday night and headed to the bar with just one thing on their minds – the Dundalk versus Shamrock Rovers game that was being shown on the telly. The match made for more palatable viewing for Dundalk FC diehard Dermot Ahern than Rovers fan Charlie O'Connor, as 'de town' ran in 5-1 winners. No doubt the justice minister shouted himself 'hoarse'.