Lost lambs

Last weekend Derry came to town for the NFL final facing an accommodation crisis. Indefatigable county PRO Gerry Donnelly tells us that 26 hotels were contacted before they were able to settle on a move from south Derry, home of the county's football stars, to Killiney in south Dublin, home to many other celebrities.

From the lofty splendour of the Killiney Castle hotel, the party ventured to Mass down in Dalkey on Sunday morning. "Except," according to Gerry, "for the four (unnamed) players who went to the Church of Ireland."

This was not, however, evidence of spiritual diversity in the county, but rather evidence of a poor sense of direction. The lost lambs remained on the premises for about 10 minutes before they realised something wasn't quite right. Then, hurriedly, they made their excuses and left.