A pitch invasion by over-enthusiastic Mayo supporters may have prompted total confusion at the end of last Sunday’s Connacht Senior Football Championship decider but the outcome of the game itself could not have been more clear-cut as Mayo cruised into the All-Ireland Quarter Finals with a comprehensive - and stylish - victory over a disappointing Roscommon side. The sell-out crowd of 35,000 at McHale Park in Castlebar were treated to a second-half tour de force from the home side with star forwards, Conor Mortimer (pictured above with John Maughan) and Kieran McDonald, to the fore at all times. McDonald’s performance, in particular, was breath-taking as he orchestrated the Mayo attack with some of the most sublime passing to be seen in McHale Park in many years. The Mortimer brothers – Conor and Trevor – contributed 1-10 of their side’s final tally of 2-13 while substitute Austin O’Malley also got in on the scoring act with a late goal.

The eagerly awaited appearance of former Environment Minister and EU Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, at the Mahon Tribunal of Enquiry into certain planning matters is now scheduled to get under way this Thursday. Yesterday (Monday) Mr Flynn told the Western People he was looking forward to finally getting the opportunity to tell his side of the story. "When I met the tribunal in October ’98 they demanded of me that I not discuss the business of the tribunal. They let me know it was a criminal offence to speak about my evidence to the tribunal. "I gave them my undertaking, but I seem to be the only one who has stuck to it through thick and thin. "It would have been so much easier for me to have talked my way through it and responded to the so-called revelations.

Well, all was ‘revealed’ and record was straightened since the Western People went to press early last week. Yeah right! And what a scathing cartoon in the Irish Times following his appearance – never mind the editorials laughing at him.

BE sure to put ‘a trip to Clare’ on your summer ‘Must Do’ list this year. The ‘Pirate Queen’ departs from Roonagh Quay (West of Louisburgh) seven days a week. The vessel, which is the largest and most modern ferry operating to Clare Island, is registered with the Department of the Marine and Failte Ireland and has a certificate for 96 passengers and 4 crew members. Passengers may sit inside the heated lounge area or on the upper sun-deck annd enjoy a panoramic view of the Clew Bay coastline. Island attractions include Granuaile’s Castle and The Blue Flag Beach.

On my list – I’ve been out there on the old ferry but I haven’t tried the new ferry yet. It's been quite a while since I've had a Clare Island day. A day’s fishing off the rocks on Clare Island sounds good. Will have to dig out the old sea rod and stay away from the rivers and lakes for a while!