Dessie gets deserved extension

Despite much speculation over his future, it was confirmed this week that Dessie Farrell will remain in charge of Dublin for at least another two years. Which is only as it should be after the Na Fianna clubman guided the sky blues to an All Ireland, three more Leinsters and at least one National League. Anything else would have been a travesty.

LeBron discovering loyalty at 37?

The new, controversial, ridiculous nature of the GAA season means there will be certain times when there will be a void to be filled in terms sport to watch. Against that, the news that LeBron James has signed a new two year contract extension with the LA Lakers is signpost enough the new NBA season is nearly afoot.

It would appear at 37 years of age, the greatest exponent of his sporting code on the planet may have discovered a bit of loyalty. Having hopped from Cleveland to Miami, back to the former and then to the Lakers, it appears LBJ may have decided to end his career in California.

Yes, success has generally followed the great man around, but, as Stephen Curry has mesmerically proven at Golden State, it is possible to be a one team player and gain success.

Serena’s misguided long goodbye

Letting go is never easy. Even in a sporting sense. That said, there’s nothing more upsetting than seeing a great champion going to the well once too often.

Yet the sense that Serena Williams has done exactly that. The 41-year-old has won everything there is to acquire in Tennis, multiple times over. She owes nobody – or the sport – anything.

Look, we all wish everything could stay as it is forever, but the hands of time wait for no species. The amazing American – who along with her sister Venus revolutionised tennis – hasn’t played much of late and thus dropped to 40 in the rankings, was well beaten at Wimbledon and, to me, would’ve been better hanging up the racquet thereafter.

However, her most recent humbling defeat to reigning US Open Champion Emma Raducanu suggests it could be a long and painfull goodbye.

Chamber Of Horrors

For as long as Alex Ferguson was in situ at Old Trafford, Manchester could justifiably call their home the Theatre Of Dreams. Now, thoigh, it’s more like a Chamber Of Horrors.

First off, disappointing as it undoubtedly would be, if Ronaldo wants out, let him off. As painful as it is, if he doesn’t want to be there, why try hold him?

The ongoing dithering regarding the player is just typical of the pathetic mess the club has become. Atrocious results on the pitch, missing out on a plethora of would-be signings and letting good players leave and holding onto frauds. I wouldn’t take Luke Shaw from a car boot sale.

I’ve no idea who Jim Ratcliffe is but if he can get the Glazers out of the club, give him the keys quick.

A sad end for an Irish sporting legend

Ireland’s most famous cricketer – who wants to play for us that is, not Eoin Morgan – retired during the week. Kevin O’Brien, yes, you have heard of him. He was the man who hit an incredible century when Ireland defeated England in the Cricket World Cup in 2011 and did most to help aficionados of the crease finally attain the Test status they had long sought.

For anybody not up to speed, Test matches in cricket are the ones which take place over the course of five days and where all the best teams are at. Despite all of the above, it would appear he was left to deduce for himself that he was surplus to requirements. A sad end for somebody who was a genuine great of his sport.

Golf’s New Order Leaving Rebels Without A Cause

Viewing habits when it comes to certain sports are highly sporadic in this seat. Golf is absolutely in said amalgam. For whatever reason, I’ve found myself getting back into the swing of it in the last couple of months. Pun entirely intended.

It has been a fairly tumultuous time to get reacquainted with affairs of tee to green. On one hand, you have a wave of new talent making their mark on the game. Players like Will Zaltoris, Xander Schauffele, Scott Scheffler, Cameron Smith and Cameron Young have made themselves the big names in the game. Drowning out a lot of the din being drummed up by some of the elder lemons on the PGA Tour.

The presence of Australian Smith in the above ensemble is actually quite ironic, because it’s actually another wonder from Down Under, Greg Norman, who has been stirring the dung by waving the cheque book and flaunting the attractions of the LIV Golf concept which he seems to be the driving force behind.

Naturally, greed initially got the better of some and they jumped ship. There are legals pending but if I were the PGA I wouldn’t be losing sleep over the rebels as the game Stateside is in safe hands with the new breed.