If you are strolling through Her- bert Park in Ballsbridge next Thursday, don't be alarmed if you see Alan Murphy, the man- aging partner of Eversheds law firm, bouncing past on a space hopper. No, he hasn't finally lost it over the Government's legal sector reform proposals.

The firm is sponsoring the the annual sports day event in aid of the children's charity Barretstown. Corporate teams of would-be athletes will face off in a sort of mini-Olympics, but in events normally favoured by school kids. There will about 30 teams, including from Eversheds, Lidl, the Dub- lin Chamber of Commerce, Johnson & Johnson (no tears, please) and Citi Group.

Paddy Power is also lending a hand, while the bookmaker's eponymous publicity chief will be there to dish out the odds.

As well as the egg-and-spoon, there will a three-legged race and a wooden skis event. With unemployment at 14 per cent, I’m guessing nobody will want to win the sack race.