THE BISHOP-ELECT of Kerry, Father Eamonn Casey, now just finishing his work at the Catholic Housing Aid Society in London, hasn't given his notice of elevation to the bishopric "much thought". "Until the day I finally hoist my sail and get out of her and arrive in Kerry I won't be able to sit down and even think about it for myself." He speaks between leaps and bounds-to the door, to the telephone, to the top of the stairs to shout down a request or, occasionally, a very polite command. "I don't want to rule but I have to.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL in the Republic has never known the same financial rewards, glamour, or the magnetic appeal enjoyed by the game in such countries as Britain, Spain and Italy. But if one team, through the years, has come close to achieving even a small measure of that appeal it is unquestionably Shamrock Rovers. Their successes have been consistent and considerable; their support is drawn from a wider spectrum than is represented by the partisan regulars who trek up to Glenmalure Park on Sunday afternoons.

A DUBLIN sports journalist suggested recently that prose is no longer suitable to describe Kerry's Mick O'Connell-that only an epic poem could properly do him justice. There is a deal of truth in this. At the age of thirty-two, the Valentia islander is still the monarch of all he surveys. His consummate artistry and style-whether it is in going up against opponents for the high ball or in the accuracy of his shooting and passing-combine to make him the undisputed maestro of the midfield.

TONY MAHONY is head of the campaign for clearing hostels and slums. This co-ordinates and publicises all the squatting campaigns taking place in Britain. At present there are five in London and many others in the North, notably in Manchester. For a national organiser of the most militant and successful left-wing campaigns in Britain, Tony has an unusual background. He was educated in a Jesuit school in London and proceeded to study for the priesthood for a few years. For a reason which he claims is incomprehensible to him he had chosen to be a Carmelite monk in Aylesford Priory in Kent.

THE RECENT French devaluation differs to the sterling devaluation in 1967 in one important respect, It was a surprise!Whereas the English

THE PUBLICATION of the next quarterly report on the economy by the Economic and Social Research Institute --expected within the next few weeksis awaited with more than the usual amount of interest. Psychologically, the report will mark the end of the Summer doldrums in economic affairs caused, as in most other aspects of political life, by the anti-climax of the June election and the disappearance of Ministers, Civil Servants, and economic commentators to their various holiday hideaways.

IRELAND HAS thrown up at last its own version of Enoch Powell-in the person of Oliver J. Flanagan, T.D. As usual, the replica is a pale tawdry imitation of the real thing.

"ONE SMALL STEP for man, one giant leap for mankind." With words reminiscent of a children's game, Commander Neil Armstrong, at the culmination of a 204 thousand million dollar effort, took man's first step on the Moon. Does this association of ideas set the true tone of this achievement-a step in a game for children or is there something more?

THE BRITISH OPEN GOLF Championship has been given such diverse descriptions as "the greatest golf show on earth" and "an anachronism". Antique it most certainly is, an anachronism it most certainly is not and like most antiques, it is eagerly sought and valued highly. In fact, the most prized title in golf.

THE R.D.S. SHOW JUMPING ARENA, August, 1967. A diminutive horse and a tight-lipped rider appear for their second round in the Nations' Cup. Twenty-two faults in their first round and a fall for the rider at the eleventh jump should have severely rattled their cO:1fidence. But, with icy calm and determination they approached each obstacle, willed on by an excited but tense and silent crowd. At a couple of fences the top pole trembled, but none fell. Finally, horse and rider sailed over the last jump for a clear round as wild cheering greeted the terse announcement of R.D.S.