He claims to be the country's only sports commentating undertaker, and, unless Milltown's Jody Fanagan decides to get involved, it is a safe bet that John Kirwan will continue to have the market cornered. So, given his experience of 35 years behind a mike, I was inclined to listen when Kirwan talked about fulfilling a life-long ambition.

It seems that for the duration of the Olympic Games he was buried in the nether regions of Montrose, doing what is known in the business as offtube commentary - from a monitor, to you and me - on beach volleyball and handball. And not a Irish medal in sight.

Eventually, Kirwan broke free last Sunday - and won a medal of his own. It came in the wind and rain of the monthly medal at Luttrellstown Castle, where a net 69 off 17 did the trick. "It was nice wind-up to my sixth Olympics," he said. Indeed.