Funny, when we saw Football "kiss of death" Focus profiling Shay Given (below) on Saturday morning we felt sure the Lifford legend would be beaten twice on his near post, concede two penalties and end up being sent off for handball outside the box against Derby that afternoon. We of little faith. For the third time in barely a month he's our Irish player of the week after a dazzling auld display, capped by a penalty save from Fabrizio Ravanelli. (Special mention for another Irish goalie: Dean Kiely, who dazzled a bit himself in Charlton's 1-0 defeat at Southampton).

But what of the Irish further abroad than Britain? Well, last week we paid a visit to www.agf.co.dk, the internet home of Danish club Aarhus, where two Celtic and Republic of Ireland under-21 players are on loan - Ballincollig old boy Liam Miller and Mick Doyle, once of Cherry Orchard fame.

Doing grand, they are too. Aarhus manager John Stampe wants to sign Doyle on a permanent deal ("It's about being the best when it matters and that's Doyle," he oozed recently) from Celtic. Note: Celtic (tune in to Slam Sports on the Internet: "Scottish champions Glasgow Rangers have loaned left-sided midfielder Michael Doyle to Danish club Aarhus for the rest of the season". Huh). Incidentally, by visiting www.agf.co.dk we have learnt the Danish for "messageboard" is "Hot Debatten". Like that.