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A trip to Croke Park like none before, escaping escapism and more of the week's best sportswriting

Plus, Barney Ronay feels the spirit of George Orwell’s post-plague vision.

1. ’Much like Covid-19, there is as yet no vaccine for the hubris of a man who thinks he knows where he’s going. Once I found Gate A18, I was met by stewards with clipboards, had my name and details confirmed and drove on in to join the queue’.

The Irish Times’ Malachy Clerkin recounts his experience of a test for Covid-19, at Croke Park of all places. 

2. ““There were numerous death threats against me from my work on the radio, and unfortunately, it just became part of my life. Eugene de Kock told me calmly that he was under orders to kill me with a crossbow but ultimately decided against it”".

Jonathan Drennan speaks with John Robbie, who played for both Ireland and South Africa, and finds a man willing to face up to mistakes he has made along the way. For The Guardian

3.How can you think or care about all the love a Fowler and Keane and the original Ronaldo still generate when the land of your grandfather’s grandchildren is at the mercy of a morally-bankrupt governing party and a broken system?

In the Examiner, Kieran Shannon searches for the point in pining for sport.

4. He took an extended break at home at the beginning of the year after suffering from homesickness and while Glass says that he has coping mechanisms in place to deal with his own pangs, the episode shook them back into life as a group.”

Cahair O’Kane catches up with Conor Glass to chat about pay-cuts and playing in the AFL. For The Irish News. 

5. “The Olympic rescheduling is likely to cost an extra £2bn, indication in itself that the whole thing was already far too big. God only knows how that might look or feel in a time of global anxiety and deep economic depression. Is this a chance to do things differently?

“It is tempting to imagine the old certainties might just be swept away in times of macro-disaster, that there is also a kind of freedom here.”

The Guardian’s Barney Ronay hopes the Olympic postponement may bring about a reset in how we are all fed Big Sport.

 

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    May 2nd 2020, 8:59 AM

    We could certainly be doing with a Ferris or two in the green jersey nowadays. One of the best ever to wear the jersey. Pity career ended prematurely. I do enjoy him on the punditry. Very honest.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    May 2nd 2020, 1:02 PM

    @Ray Ridge: So powerful, quality player indeed, thought he started his punditry on the bitter side, taken some time for the competitor in him to fade a little, he’s decent enough now tho in fairness.

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    Mute Cathal
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    May 2nd 2020, 5:11 PM

    He would have made any world 15 in his prime, absolutely quality player. Such a shame his career ended so early

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    Mute JackSimpson
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    May 2nd 2020, 8:09 PM

    When on form and injury free he was up there with Kaino as the best no.6 in the world.

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    Mute Spailpeen Farrell
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    May 2nd 2020, 9:11 AM

    Is Impactful code for always injured?

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    Mute Barra Mac An Bhaird
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    May 2nd 2020, 12:30 PM

    @Spailpeen Farrell: stupid comment. He was a class player

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    Mute ThatLJD
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    May 2nd 2020, 10:04 PM

    @Spailpeen Farrell: Always injured? Yes injury blighted the last year or so for him, but always injured, that’s a laugh. The reckless way he put himself about was possibly what didn’t help him have a long career but he never went missing in games and without needing to talk about what irishness meant to him he did his bit and more for the game here. Top class 6.

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    Mute Pat O'Leary
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    May 3rd 2020, 12:58 AM

    What a brilliant player – such a shame he had to retire so early. Always thought he could have managed himself a little better in terms of injuries, but guess that was just the competitor in him / always wanted to be back out in the thick of it.

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    Mute Boseph Stalin
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    May 3rd 2020, 2:06 PM

    I train at the same gym as him nowadays and hes STILL a beast!

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    May 4th 2020, 6:08 AM

    Jaysis Ireland really had a glorious chance in 2011 to win the World Cup. Full panel of players to chose from……..Welsh defence was unreal that day though

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    Mute Jonny Walls
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    May 5th 2020, 3:12 PM

    Not sure we played New Zealand in Croker in 2010, think it was Aviva Stadium.

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