First trip to Markievicz and stopping a brazen milk thief FROM THE SPORTS VAULTS

WEDNESDAY: MAY 12

IN recent days I’ve noticed a pattern. Two stats that have been the barometer of the past year of restrictions and lockdowns – the daily number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and Covid-related deaths – are no longer the lead item on news bulletins.

While Covid-19 has had its grip on us, socially, economically and from the obvious health perspective, the world’s environment continues to suffer, there is further conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza and, closer to home, the housing crisis is back as a major topic.

As has been said in this diary, housing is an essential service to be provided by government. When the ‘market’ is allowed to dictate then houses become commodities that, unfortunately, a lot of people can’t afford to buy (or even rent) in this country.

An item on the Guardian website tells me that, according to an independent report commissioned to look into the Covid-19 pandemic and how it was handled by governments worldwide, much of the pandemic’s worst aspects were preventable.

The Guardian has another worrying article concerning the reduction of the earth’s stratosphere due to rising emissions of greenhouse gases. To lighten the mood – and my concerns about what sort of fried, overheated, drought-afflicted dying planet we’ll be handing over to the next generation – I find something to watch. The film is called Earthstorm. Released in 2006, it is about how scientists battle a crisis caused by a comet smashing into the moon.

THURSDAY: MAY 13

THERE appears to be nothing but bad things happening. The Guaridan, once again, is my reference point for disturbing news.

In Cameroon, for example, two transgender women are convicted of “attempting homosexuality” and sen- tenced to five years in prison.

From the shocking to the ridiculous – Pokémon playing cards, the re-sale value of which has grown during the pandemic, are sparking fights. One such disagreement about these items outside a Target store in Brookfield, Wisconsin, led to a 35-year-old man producing a gun (he was assaulted by four others, aged between 23-35). Trading. Cards. Herself is now extra pretty after getting her hair done at Marian Dineen Hair Studio. I’m still stubbornly refusing to go a barber. Given that my gentle mother told me – as a teen – that I was unable to grow long hair (her code for you ain’t allowed to look like a beatnik, son), I’m getting one over on her now by persisting with my expanding mullet.

Here’s another thing we won’t see much more of: Sligo women who have more grey roots showing than blonde because lockdown has prevented them from getting their highlights/ colouring topped up.

United 2, Liverpool 4. Harry Maguire was certainly missed and, collectively, United were missing something.

Most of us are still talking – in disbelief – about the ransomware attack on the HSE computer systems and the act of cyber terrorism on the Department of Health’s IT systems. All this disruption as Covid-19 remains a major issue.

This is a terrible reality of modern technology. Terrorists and those who seek to profit from crime don’t think about the consequences.

MONDAY: MAY 17

I KNOW it was just Leitrim that Sligo defeated yesterday, but nevertheless I headed to work with a pep in my step this morning.

I heard a car horn toot on lower Pearse Road and remarked to myself that ‘toots’ rhymes with Poots – Poots being the surname of incoming DUP leader Edwin Poots. While I don’t give a hoots about Poots, some of his beliefs are said to be bit out there. Then again, does he feed one of his dogs a diet of spoken song lyrics? At work, meanwhile, there’s a second monitor at my desk. Just in case you, dear reader, think that I require two people to monitor my output, by monitor I mean a computer screen. The second monitor is smaller compared to the PC’s main one which I’ve dubbed ‘Skreen-Dromard’.

The Eurovision Song Contest is televised tomorrow night but I refuse to watch it. It isn’t even a European event any longer – Australia (yes, that little known European country) has been represented since 2015.

The public vote is another annoying aspect. It was better when the votes was solely down to the whims of the various juries dotted around the continent. Also, we’ve semi-finals now. In the new format, Ireland’s last finalist was Ryan O’Shaughnessy (no, I haven’t heard of him either) in 2018.

The Eurovision that made this nation great, thanks to Dana, Johnny Logan (whose slight lookalike is Rovers boss Liam Buckley) and Linda Martin is no more. My apathy for this previously brilliant institution, now an entertainment travesty, can be traced back to when Dustin the Turkey (a puppet) was chosen as Ireland’s entry in 2008.

TUESDAY: MAY 18

EARLY this morning I solved a crime. I caught a brazen milk thief. The crime-busting story began with a litre of delicious Avonmore milk dropped off outside our residence. I was up and about, planning to seize the day, when I spotted a passer-by pause at our door, stoop to pick something up and head off. Our litre of milk! I had only seconds to get dressed, unlock the door and then I set after the opportunistic criminal. A short sprint and one loud shout later, I was handed back the item that didn’t belong to the rucksack-wearing man (cropped hair, mid-40s, bearing a surprisingly indifferent reaction to being rumbled). Despite a ‘worldly’ from Edinson Cavani, United stumbled to a sad 1-1 draw with an already relegated Fulham. I watched it on

Sky Sports and drank a glass of the briefly stolen milk at half-time.

Sunday, May 23

Lidl NFL Division 3A

ROUND ONE: Down v Sligo (Teconnaught, Downpatrick, 3pm) (Paul Burke)

Sunday, May 30

Lidl NFL Division 3A

ROUND TWO: Fermanagh v Sligo (TBC, 2pm) (Gavin Finnegan)

Sunday, June 6

Lidl NFL Division 3A

ROUND THREE: Sligo v Roscommon (Markievicz Park, 2pm) (Shane Curley)

LALLY’S SHOW

Well played Cian Lally, the Drumcliffe-Rosses Point player who contributed 1-2 of Sligo’s tally in last Sunday’s 2-19 to 0-18 win over Leitrim in the opening round of the Allianz Football League at Markievicz Park.

PARK BOOK

Sligo GAA County Board has published a new book, charting the history of Sligo’s premier county ground, Markievicz Park, from 1950 to 2020. The book costs €20 and is available to buy in the club from Seán Reynolds (contact Seán at 087 1833411).

GOOD LUCK

Best wishes to the club’s three Sligo LGFA Senior footballers, Rachel Quigley, Sinead Regan and Michelle McNamara, who begin their Lidl National Football League Division 3A campaign this Sunday with a trip to Downpatrick to play Down (throw-in 3pm). The game will be streamed live online by the LGFA.

COACHING FOR KIDS

Saturday morning coaching for our younger players continues at Rathcormac NS. Girls and boys born in 2014, 2015 and 2016 are coached at 9.45am (until 10.30am). Girls born 2011-2013 and boys born 2010-2013 train from 10.45am to 11.45am. New players are always very welcome.

SWAP SHOP

For the next few weeks, the club is setting up a ‘swap shop’ for football boots at the Saturday