Here is my bold prediction: England will now not win the Euros and I think no English player will get more than one goal. Yes I want them to and I always go into big tournaments thinking they could, especially in the euros where if you get through the groups 3 wins gives you the trophy. Well at least I held fire on the Crouch top Euro goalscorer betting. Well here’s hoping England prove me wrong.

Ever since I have been living in Dublin I have noticed a dramatic change in approach to life and living. The Irish are more laid back and certainly more accommodating than the English. Put it this way, living in Dublin could not be more different from living in London. In some respects life here is better and of course in some ways it is worse.

Whilst the charming easy come easy go attitude adopted by the Irish is rather magical and romantic, it is also incredibly frustrating. I seem to spend 100% of my time equally calm and infuriated in equal measure at the same time. The problem is that everything takes a lot longer than it should because so many people are too busy not being busy.

I am born and raised in England and am in many respects a traditional old-fashioned Englishman. I like things to work. I like things to be fixed post-haste when they cease to work and I like to deal with people who are organised, reliable and get things done. They may not always be friendly, interesting or have a zesty life attitude but if they get the job done I am happy.

What annoys and amuses me equally about the traditional charming Dubliner is how he or she can look me in the face, a smile adorned on their own and wish me a good day having just failed to fix something for the third time, three weeks after it was due to be done. That said they seem to have a paralysing way with them that means I never get outwardly angry and after a bit of time here, I have just learned to go with it. That’s the way things are done here and you either like or lump it. It’s not going to change. Ha ha.

I would like to wish Ireland the very best of luck at Euro 2012. Know that your countrymen and woman are firmly behind you lads. Also know that unlike the English they will celebrate in spite of the outcome, content with the fact they had a cheer. May the luck of the Irish be with you!!

The glitz and glamour of the top tier sets the stage for great triumphs and devastating defeats but money can’t buy or script the kind of drama that we witnessed on Sunday – that was theatre at its finest.

Credit must go to Man City for winning a title that they deserved to win; of that there can be no doubt. We are not talking about a quick fire knock out competition in which anything can happen and a single day can impact heavily on the final outcome of the competition. We are talking about 38 games played over the course of 10 months – no luck involved here.

Alex Ferguson was gracious in the face defeat in the dying minutes of the premiership campaign on Sunday, saying that Man City deserved to win the title without hesitation. Him and his boys gave it their best shot and came off second best; it happens to the best of ‘em.

With the premiership drama out of the way people are now turning their attention elsewhere. It’s playoff time in the 2nd tier at the moment and it is a nervous time for league football clubs up and down the country.

League playoff football may not draw the huge crowds but be under no illusion; there is plenty of drama to dose up on here. In many respects it is far more real as well. I am not saying that winning the title wasn’t important to Man City but it will not have the kind of life-changing impact on those involved that promotion could have on the players, staff and fans involved in lower league clubs in financial distress. After all, the joy of great achievement is better savoured by those who have endured the greatest challenge in arriving at it, particularly if they have set out from humble beginnings.

Some of the lower league clubs with a shot at promotion now are like Charles Dickens’ great heroes who, starting from downtrodden beginnings, rise up from adversity to make the best of their lot and exceed all expectations placed upon them. In many respects a lower league club over performing, defying the odds and winning promotion is both more romantic and more epic than the great titans winning another war.

So good luck to all those with a shot at promotion in the coming days and weeks.

I was really sporty when I was a kid growing up. I loved a bit of cricket in the back garden. I loved a good kickabout down at the local park. I loved a game of squash during the school holidays.

But I kind of gave up sport when I got to uni. I thought I’d give myself the first term off. That turned into the first year off. Before I knew it, I hadn’t played any sport for years.

I was thinking the other day what sports I’d like to try before I die. I think it was hearing the lads in the office talk about how great a nice round of golf in the sun is with your mates.

So here are the five sports that I’d like to try before I die.

1. Golf. I’ve never played a proper round of golf before. I’ve spanked the odd drive down at the range while waiting for my brother to finish his bucket. But I think it would be fun to don some white trousers and a visor and get out there and tear up Sawgrass or Pebble Beach.

2. Luge. This sport looks so ridiculous and dangerous that I think everyone should try it once. Anyone reading this ever tried it?

3. Darts. I think I’d be quite a useful darts player. I’m really good at throwing screwed up bit of paper in the bin, and it can’t be that different. Unfortunately I have no interest in fighting for a game in a busy pub against guys who are much better thane me.

4. Ice Hockey. I don;t really have the build for it (I’m more of a rangy corner back than a burly line backer) but smashing people into the wall while on ice skates looks great fun.

5. Tennis. I’m a pretty useful squash player, but I’ve never got into tennis. It just looks so cool though – beautiful women watching, smashing winners down the line…

1. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 1975

The match between Grundy, the Derby winner, and Bustino who had won the previous year’s St Leger. Two pacemakers ensured a gruelling test and Joe Mercer riding Bustino sent his charge on fully half a mile from home but was soon being pursued by Grundy ridden by Pat Eddery.

A titanic tussle all the way down the Ascot straight saw both horses battle back after being headed at different stages before Grundy finally prevailed by half a length in a race record time, a record that was held until Harbinger’s win in 2010. Unsurprisingly the race left its mark on both horses with Bustino never racing again and Grundy finishing a distant 5th on his only other career start, but this was a race that will be talked about for eternity and anyone who has witnessed it will understand why.

2. Nassau Stakes 2006

An incredible battle royal up the Goodwood straight between two of the toughest fillies of their generation Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun. After a lengthy photo finish it was Ouija Board who prevailed under an inspired Dettori ride.

3. The Eclipse 2009

The brilliant Sea The Stars added to his Guineas and Derby victories with a hard-fought win over the extremely talented Rip Van Winkle. Sea The Stars was in front plenty soon enough and looked in trouble when Rip Van Winkle came up to his quarters one furlong from home. Like the superstar that he was, John Oxx’s brilliant colt accelerated again in the final 100 yards to prevail by a length, showing tons of tenacity to go with his immense class.

4. The 2000 Guineas 1993

Trained by Andre Fabre in France, the brilliant Zafonic stormed to a 3 ½ length victory over subsequent Breeders Cup winner Barathea. This wasn’t a tight finish after a protracted battle like other races on the list, but simply a display of sheer class to spread-eagle a quality field. On that dreary day in May 1993 Zafonic was poetry in motion.

5. Jockey Club Cup 2003

The gallant Persian Punch, trained by David Elsworth, made a habit of winning races after looking beaten at some stage and this was never in evidence more than on 18th October 2003 at Newmarket. Having made the running, he was swamped by several rivals approaching the 2 furlong but once battle was joined on the uphill finish to the line it was Persian Punch, showing tenacity and courage in spades, who put his head down to prevail in a blanket finish.

1. THE MASTERS
I am not a massive golf fan like some of the boys in the office (coughsmithycough) but, as I said in previous blogs, I can’t help but get excited about The Masters. It is such an unbelievable competition for watching and, more relevantly, for betting. Played at the beautiful Augusta each and every year I love to scoop all the special offers and crazy place terms, sit back and watch the magic unfold. This year was no different and I’m already looking forward to next time around.

2. THE WORLD CUP
I am a massive football fan, as you will know if you’re a regular reader, and the World Cup (although it only come around every four years) is an event I look forward to so much. Although Ireland hardly ever make an appearance I still love every minute of it. From the qualifying stages up to the final I’m glued to the tv set. There is something about these brilliant stars all out playing for the pride of their country, rather than lining their pockets with cash, which really brings it home for me. There is something kind of romantic about the World Cup which I feel club football has lost long ago.

3. THE DERBY
The Epsom Derby is a race I can’t miss. Each year I will make sure, no matter where I am or what I am meant to be doing, I will see the stalls burst open for the race of the year! Watching these Group 1 thoroughbred colts and fillies in action is a sight not to be missed. The likes of Sea The Stars, New Approach and Authorized all in took the crown in their finest moments. In my modest opinion it’s 1 mile 4 of pure bliss and I can’t wait for June.

4.THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
The Chanpions League Final is a match not to be missed. I don’t think I have missed one sine 1998. It’s just a great game. I think in recent years the Champions League Final has become a bigger match than the World Cup final and it’s only getting bigger. It’s great seeing the best teams in the world line up and go head to head. The best managers and the biggest names in football… what more do you want? It’s also a great betting medium, with massive value to be found in the outright market early doors (but we will keep that for the big preview before next year!).

5. THE SUPER BOWL
This is the big one, my highlight of the year. There really is nothing like the Bowl to get your blood pumping (especially if you have taken a position!) Let’s face it: Americans just do stuff like this bigger and better than the rest of us! It’s such a spectacle and I love it. Once the playoffs come around I’ve got the blinkers on until the big day. I have had some of my highest and lowest punting moments during the Bowl and there will be many more to come.

This was the most exciting climax to a Premier League season ever and certainly rivals Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2 in 1989 when Michael Thomas scored in the final minute to pip Liverpool to the First Division title. Man Utd must have thought they had done enough by beating Sunderland but they all have a cupboard full of medals to console themselves.

Manchester City having overcome their jitters are favourites to win the Premier League in the 2012/13 season at 13/8 with Man Utd at 5/2 and Chelsea at 5/1. City will only get shorter if their cheque book gets another airing this summer but I don’t want to tie my money up for over a year so will leave alone for the time being.

So moving on to the Euros I’m still crossing my fingers that Crouch is on the plane and starting the campaign “Don’t leave Crouch on the couch” or maybe “Leave out Crouch that’s an Ouch”. OK I’m not a slogan writer but let’s get this international goal machine on the team sheet.

But this is not an after-time-told-you-so; it’s more of a hope that the ½ million prize money doesn’t ruin her life. Ashleigh seems very nice and I’d like to read a story in 5 years’ time saying she enjoyed a year or so of fame and then went on to a “normal” career and Pudsey is enjoying his dotage with steak rather than dog food.

Think the Queen will enjoy seeing this delightful dog act at the royal variety as a well-known dog lover. Also I’m pleased it was a proper variety act and not a singer, as I feel X Factor is the place for mainstream singers.

Will try to get out a preview of the Eurovision contestants for the Baku contest at the end of May – suffice it to say for the moment Englebert Humperdinck and Jedward are on the bill. Without even looking at the acts Sweden at 7/4 seems very short for such a big field.

I’ve seen some pretty good teams come and go in my time. Without further ado, here are my top 5:

5. 2001 Rams

This team returned most of the Greatest Show on Turf and, led by league MVP Kurt Warner, they crushed opponents by 14 points per game and got to the Super Bowl. They were stuffed by a solid Pats side but, on their day, they were a really scary team.

4. 1994 San Fran 49ers

Ok I’m a bit biased because I’m a 49ers fan. But I loved this team. Steve Young got the Montana Monkey off his back and they slaughtered the Chargers (Young 6 TDs) to take home the trophy.

3. 1992 Cowboys

As a huge 49ers fan, I HATED this team. Hated Aikman for not being Montana. Hated Irvin. Hated the grinder Emmitt Smith. But they were a really really good team.

2. 2007 NE Patriots

Another team that didn’t actually end up winning the big one. Brady, Welker, Moss… there had never been an offence like it, and probably never will again. Only the “helmet catch” denied them the perfect season.

1. 1989 San Fran 49ers

Ah the first team I ever loved. These guys went 14-2, lost their 2 games by 5 combined points and then strolled through the playoffs. They battered the Broncos 55-10 in the Bowl and made me a life-long 49ers fan.

Yet somehow, the minute I glance across to a different TV screen on which the tanned and chino’d golfers casually stroll about lush courses in the sun occasionally nudging the little white ball to within a couple of feet, the certainty I had in my original convictions seems to fade so quickly that I wonder why I ever thought tennis was the sexier sport.

This process repeats itself in reverse order as I avert my longing gaze back to the tennis just in time to catch Rafa bang a winner down the line with power and grace in equal measure.

It is indeed a quandary. Let’s have a look at the attributes of each sport though and try to reach a conclusion:

Tennis:

• Follow the sun round the world so the players are always tanned.
• Both the men and women who compete are in peak physical condition and enjoy a very healthy lifestyle.
• The sport draws massive crowds at the highest level.
• The top players get paid massive sums in prize money when they win a big tournament

Golf:

• Follow the sun around the world.
• The prize money is still amazing even if you finish 37^th.
• Get to dress well in clothes that sponsors buy for you.
• Never have to move beyond the occasional brisk walk.
• The sport is massively popular.

Even as I sit here writing this having not watched a snippet of either sport this morning I cannot decide between the two.

Conclusion:

I want to be a professional tennis player and a professional golfer at the same time with the best of both lifestyles for me to enjoy as I chose. Now come on you cynics – that’s not too much to ask is it?