Times were when sport and politics only met when during a charity match between opposing politicians, oh how things have changed.
The people of Toronto are gearing up for a year long mayoral election race that the people of Dublin will soon no longer have to wish for thanks Johnny Gormley.
The race has already had its first casualty in Adam Giambrone who stepped out of the contest after a Tiger Woods-esque story broke But the reason why we here at Balls.ie are concerned with the race to become Mayor of Toronto is because one candidate sees the World Cup as key to his success.
Mayoral candidate and current deputy Lord Mayor Joe Pantalone wants alcohol to be served an hour earlier than usual during the World Cup - "The nature of celebrations is that people like to have a drink with it," said Pantalone, who'll be rooting for Italy.
"The recession is still with us. Small business is the backbone of this city and this country and this will help the small businesses that operate as restaurants and bars."
Good luck to Big Joe.. we wish him and Italy well.. and considering when the Little Italy district closed off a street for the Ireland-Italy game late last year it was invaded by jobless Irish emigrants, Im sure the Irish in Toronto will be 'voting Joe too.
Maybe he got the idea from Limerick's Niall Collins -
