Whatever could Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan McLoughlin have been thinking when he spoke to Peter Byrne of this newspaper midweek. "I'm no hard man, but I'm no fairy either," said McLoughlin in defence of his manly standing in international soccer.

Andre Agassi also flexed his masculinity two years ago when he expressed himself at the expense of the same minority group. "I'm as happy as a faggot in a submarine," said the greatest lover in tennis.

Graham Geraghty wasn't so lucky when his racist remarks in Australia forced an abject apology from the Meath captain. Some prejudices are worse than other prejudices, it seems.