And here we find ourselves in the aftermath of a June Bank Holiday Monday, knackered. Sorry UK readers, much like using the word ‘grand’ to describe everything from ‘a bit crap’ to ‘really quite good’, this is a purely Irish phenomenon. You had your double Bank Holiday fun in May, so I don’t feel sorry for you.
In a strange turn of events, it’s been blisteringly hot in Ireland in the past week. The Magner’s share price and number of people sporting a skin tone that can only be described as ‘Coke can red’ is a giveaway.
We’re not used to this level of sun in Ireland. We Irish are de-hydrated, for once not in a ‘drank too much’ kind of way – well not entirely from a ‘drank too much’ kind of way. Purely dehydrated from the intense constant heat and excitement that comes from the realisation that we’re actually getting a summer this year. One swallow does not a summer make, but six continuous days of sunshine will do nicely.
Ireland has always enjoyed a troubled relationship with sunshine. Given that it’s rarer than Noel Edmonds curing someone’s cancer, we’re never sure how handle. In the midst of the uncertainty and desire to make the most of it, sun cream is treated like a jiffy-envelope-thick condom – only to be used under strict duress to prolong something that’s in constant danger of ending very suddenly.
Likewise, the scarcity of sunlight makes sitting into front of the TV watching all the top class sport an exercise laden with Catholic guilt – ‘chill out baby Jesus, I will go outside, but if I miss one Novak Djokovic drop shot making Andy Murray look very foolish, it’s going to be Satanism all the way. I’m warning you, I’ve got Cradle of Filth ready to go on my boys’ Fisher Price My First Trash Metal Player’.
The dilemma reared its beautiful head in fine style this weekend. We had a lot of quality sport. I had Rory McIlory and Lee Westwood on the double – Rory placed, Westwood didn’t. I still can’t help but feel Westy is in the wings and he has a day to come.
There was no catching Matthew Fitzpatrick at the Nordea, no back nine nerves there. Henrik Stenson did well carding a 66 on the 4th round, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on, we all know he can do it, he just needs to do it. More often. Like when it actually matters.
The Memorial finished with a play-off. I know about as much about McGirt or Curran as I do about text speak – LOL! – but my attention was focused on Reed who like Stenson is knocking on the door for a win. It may be too early to plump for them, but I’ll keep them in mind as the two majors come into view.
Perhaps our Euros Vindaloo’ ad slightly got the better of Andy Murray as he slumped his way to defeat after taking the first set of the final against Djokovic, but let’s stand and applause Garbine Muguruza for quietening defending champion and heavy odds-on favourite, Serena Williams in straight sets.
It helps that I’m heading to Spain for 18 nights on Thursday so I’m all about everything Spanish. When in Rome … erm … eat tapas, drink San Miguel and don’t go too heavy on the sun-cream, you never know when this weather will end.
Mum’s Bets:
Euro 2016 – 1st Round of Group Stage Matches
Spain to win ( v Czech Republic), Switzerland to win ( v Albania), Wales v Slovakia Both Teams To Score (), Germany to Win ( v Ukraine) – Acca pays 15/2
England to win 2-0 v Russia and Harry Kane to score anytime
Fedex St Jude Golf
Since all the big boys are warming up for The US Open I’m going to go with a complete outsider
Scott Brown e/w @
Graeme McDowell to finish in the top 10 @