Marcus O'Sullivan hopes to end his career later this week as only the third athlete in history to run 100 sub four-minute miles. The Millrose Games in New York, the venue for many previous victories in O'Sullivan's career, can expect to witness what only New Zealand's John Walker and America's Steve Scott have done before.
O'Sullivan suggested last week in a run at Pennsylvania that he is in form to crack the barrier when he ran 3:58.5 to conveniently set the scene.
The Corkman is third on the all-time Wannamaker Mile list of winners, one behind American Glenn Cunningham and two behind the chairman himself, Eamonn Coghlan. Niall Bruton has also won the Wannamaker title, as has Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delany - not at all a bad Irish tradition.
An IRFU advertisement in the national papers this week promised all sorts of Lansdowne delights to their pint-crazy rugby enthusiasts. The last-minute dash to get from favourite pub to the Theatre of Dreams before kick-off has, in the past, caused chaotic scenes around the various entrances at the DART line.
"Avoid the last-minute rush, come early on Saturday and enjoy the pre-match craic - skydivers, big screen, bars and fast food outlets. Bars open from 1.30 and after the match," gushes the ad.
Then read the small print. "Persons in possession of alcoholic drink . . . will not be allowed past the approach barriers to the stadium and all such items will be confiscated."
They may be monolithic, intransigent, stubborn, but creating, then cornering the market? Hats off to the IRFU.
The Mongolian Barbecue in Temple Bar each year hosts a fund-raising breakfast on the morning of one of the home internationals and today the function will be in aid of Wheelchair Rugby.
Galway United are at it again. Following last year's quirky idea of giving punters the opportunity to play in National League grounds around the country, they have organised a promotion to give 40 participants the chance to really wet their pants in 19 top Premiership stadiums.
The tour will take place over five days and the club hopes to raise £2,500. It begins at the end of April and is co-organised by the club's manager Don O'Riordan and former Manchester United manager Tommy Doherty.
It takes in all the big grounds including Old Trafford, Anfield, Elland Road and St James' Park, offering plenty of scope for adults to become involved in some major regression therapy.
At each venue the participants will play a short game on the hallowed turf before embarking on a tour of the ground. Seventeen people from last year's outing are already signed up for this expedition.
During the week the English Football Association fined Garry Parker £750 for foul and abusive language to a referee. No real surprise there - until you learn that the 32year-old Leicester midfielder was running the line for the match official.
Parker was also warned about his future conduct after he was reported to the Oxfordshire County League. The former Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest player was watching the Morrells Oxford Sunday League clash between Cherwell Lions and Cowley Cosmos. You can see why he got so excited.
"The AD focuses on a dramatic encounter between a rugby pack and jets of water gushing from powerful water cannons . . . the impression is one of dynamic potency as the players thrust through the water . . . the ad brings to life the active power embodied in rugby. Its style is dynamic, futuristic and potent."
Hmmm. Very sexy. Very sexy indeed boys.
It's the new Guinness ad for Ireland's Five Nations rugby campaign to run until the last Irish game on April 4th as described by the press release. And all for just £500,000. But can it be shown before 9 p.m. ?
Last week's cart before the courts story concerning Casey Martin's efforts to use a caddie car on the US PGA Tour continues to run. A tour executive testified in Oregon on Wednesday that Martin would have an unfair advantage against the top players if he used a cart and that the Seniors players are only allowed use them because it was a `Nostalgia Tour."
Martin was seeking to show the double standards in play within the PGA. The golfer, who has a painful condition which makes it difficult for him to walk the distances required by top pros, has invoked the US Americans with Disabilities Act in a federal law suit. He seeks to use a caddie car at Nike and PGA events.
