The Spice Girls' offer of a consolation concert for David Beckham was gently declined by the FA. To the astonishment of the English media, they decided to go on with the World Cup regardless of England's elimination. Holland and Croatia were steamrolled by Brazil and Holland in the semi-finals. Babs Keating resigned as Offaly hurling manager, dismayed at the players' puritanical attitude towards training. The shock waves spread; Ronaldo had a panic attack on the eve of the World Cup final. France won 3-0. Le Tour arrived in Ireland and the Festina team duly became embroiled in a drugs scandal. Our faith was restored by Irish sprinter Emily Maher and the Irish under-18 soccer, who completed a European double in Cyprus.

Mark O'Meara scalped all-comers in the British Open, shamelessly jeopardising Earl Woods' prophesy for the future of golf.