If you see Leo Varadkar about town looking glum in the next couple of days, or indeed any Fine Gael politicians eager for a bit of publicity looking equally disappointed, here's the reason why.
Saturday, November 11th is the date of the Fine Gael Ard Fheis, which would have been Varakar's first as party leader, meaning it's a big night for Leo, the kind worthy of a pair of bespoke socks. But alas, if Varadkar does go down the novelty socks route, nobody will be outraged about them as they won't be seen.
Leo's big night is going to be overshadowed by one of the biggest days in Irish sport in yonks. The dates for Ireland's World Cup playoff against Denmark have been confirmed, with the first leg in Copenhagen scheduled for 7.45pm Irish time on November 11th. This will be the peak of a fairly epic day of sport.
We are sure you'll able to occupy yourself during the morning and early afternoon - now would be a fine time to develop an interest in the Rugby League World Cup, taking place over that weekend, for example - once evening comes it will be time to strap in for a monumental evening's action.
The main actions gets underway at 5.30pm at the Aviva Stadium, as Ireland face South Africa in a November international. It's not the first time Ireland/South Africa is fixed for the same day as a huge Irish game: the second test of last year's summer tour was fixed for the same say as Ireland's hammering against Belgium in the Euros.
Safe to say we're hoping the rugby doesn't portend a similar result.
Once that's all over, it will be time to switch attention to Denmark. Ireland kick off the first leg in Copenhagen at 7.45pm Irish time.
And once that's all over, make a pot of coffee and/or staple your eyelids open, for Ireland's first test against Australia in the International Rules kicks off at 6 am. (Okay, not technically the same day).
It's all on RTE:
Saturday 11 Nov on @RTEsport
✅ Ireland v South Africa at 5:30pm 🏉
✅Denmark v Ireland 7:45pm ⚽️
✅Australia v Ireland early Sunday morn 🏐— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 17, 2017
This gives Varadkar a pretty easy way of earning some support from his Fine Gael underlings during the political jamboree: install a TV.
