The Irish rugby team wasn't the only contingent to go to the dogs last Saturday. The RTE newsroom went greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park, thanks to Bord na gConn chairman Paschal Taggart's attempt to demonstrate the corporate hospitality on offer at the stadium.
Sports correspondent Colm Murray acted as host, showing leadership in persuading his colleagues to adopt a unified approach to betting. (He warned of unspeakable consequences if they refused to accept his uncannily accurate race tips.)
The station's legal affairs correspondent Mary Wilson left the traps early, taking the first spot prize of the night, closely followed by her husband, sports reporter Tony O'Donoghue. Snapping at their heels came newsreader John Finnerty to bitter cries of "Lively Lad" and "Master McGrath" from disappointed rivals.
While Bryan Dobson gave fellow newsreader Sharon Ni Bheolain a good run for her money in the sartorial stakes, the outcome in a later race was never really in doubt when "That One On The Nuacht" beat "The Housewives' Favourite" by a comfortable margin.
Charlie Bird, Sean Duignan, agriculture correspondent Joe O'Brien, and newsreaders Ann Doyle and Anne Cassin were similarly swept along with the tide.
By night's end it appeared the Indians had fared better than the chiefs in the betting stakes. Managing editor of news Michael Good was unable to suppress his delight as he showed reporter Marian Richardson the extent of his first win of the night. For a modest wager of £1 he recouped his outlay and reaped the reward of 20p.