Small Things Like These

(ON RADIO) ...the big fight and the big match.

It's a real knockout with a celebration 8-page pull-out

featuring portrayals of Barry McGuigan and the Irish Triple Crown heroes.

Plus expert views on two of the most exciting events in Irish sporting history.

From the power of the punch to the power of the pack,

- it's a champion article... - (PHONE RINGING)

Here. Here you are.

That'll do it.

Did you see Barry McGuigan fighting last night?

I did, yeah.

Some fighter. Hands like shovels.

Jesus Christ...

I suppose I'd be in his weight class, would I?

You probably would.

- (DOG BARKS) Hey, Billy.

Jimmy.

PJ? - I'll just take two.

Ach, you'll need more than two.

- Aren't you hungry? - I am.

Isn't Bill paying you enough? Is that what it is, huh?

Ah, no. - I'll give you the beef and mash.

Be saving for the Christmas, Mrs Kehoe. Present for some young one.

Now listen, if there's a girl involved,

sure you'll be needing the energy.

Get that into you now. Put hairs on your chest.

Enjoy that, now.

- Can't get the staff. - Very good.

- Now give us a shout if you need anything. - Thank you.

Thanks, Mrs Kehoe. All right, now.

- (GRUNTS) - (BELLS TOLLING)

- (CAR DOOR OPENS) - (GRUNTS)

Are you gonna tell us?

Just listen to me. Get out. Get out now.

Mammy, you're not listening to me.

Just why'd you do it?

Mammy, don't make me go in there. Please don't make me go in.

Mammy, please!

Mammy! Please, no!

- Please... - Listen to me!

I'm not going in there. Please, Mammy. Please.

Sarah! - I'm not...

- Stop it! I'm not going!

- (SARAH SOBBING) - Get inside.

- Go on. - Daddy!

- (HANDBRAKE CREAKS) - (ENGINE STOPS)

Son?

Hold on.

You all right?

Yeah.

You're Mick Sinnott's boy, aren't you?

Yes, sir.

You're a couple of miles from home.

I came out for sticks with the dog, but he ran off on me again.

Did he?

Well...

He'll come back in a minute, I suppose.

Probably, yeah.

You never know. He's a right dope.

Three years old, and he still doesn't know his name.

You're all right?

Yeah.

Will I drop you back?

Nah. I'll be fine, Mr Furlong.

Are you sure now?

Yes.

Grand.

Erm...

All right, say happy Christmas to your family from me.

Yes, sir, you too.

When's the test?

It's on Monday.

Come on, Kathleen, you be the teacher. Here, catch.

Okay. "Sickscious" is not a word.

- Hi, Dad. What am I supposed to do here?

Hi, girls.

Kathleen... - What? There's nothing on them.

Have you forgotten the names of the rivers already?

No. You dirty liar.

Right, I have it. Hang on.

Okay, right. What's that wiggly one there?

- The River Shannon. - That's easy.

Ah, Sheila.

Right.

- (GIRLS LAUGHING) - And this one here?

The Boyne. The River Boyne.

The River Boyne, correct.

And this one here?

- River Lee. Wow.

- And this one? - The River Liffey.

You're a genius.

Give me the cards.

- Let me hold it then. - Don't crease it.

Mad. Hey!

Show your daddy how you learnt them?

Show me, love.

She's just a smarty pants.

Here you go. That's your card.

Got two pieces of tracing paper and traced the outline of Ireland

and rivers on one piece.

Added another piece of tracing paper on top and wrote the names.

Good girl.

She's just a smarty pants. - You should see my piece.

- Don't! - No!

- Ha-ha! - Let Kathleen hold it.

What's that? Here we go.

Oh, I saw a school friend of yours.

Yeah, who?

Erm...

Mick Sinnott's boy.

Diarmuid's his name.

- Diarmuid, yeah. - Whereabouts?

Ah, he was out by Tullogher.

Picking up sticks, so he was.

Did you not stop and give him a bag of timber off the truck?

What? Don't be daft.

- Thanks, love. You're daft.

Did you stop and talk to him, Daddy?

I did, yeah.

What did you talk about?

Er, I said hello and I said...

"Happy Christmas" to his family.

That all?

I made a ring.

I gave him a bit of loose change.

What did you do that for?

His dad will only drink it.

I mean, he's never not drunk, that man.

Just needs to...

Pull himself out of it.

We don't know that, love.

He might be trying.

Er, girls, have you more homework to do?

Jimmy, we have to say goodbye to you.

But believe me, the few moments you've been here,

you really have made the show.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart

"and try to keep it all the year.

"I will live in the past, the present and the future.

"The spirit of all three shall strive within me.

"I will not forget the lessons that they teach."

Billy.

What happened to your coat?

Your mother said there was spit on it?

What was it they said to you?

Nothing.

Don't be listening to them.

They're only brats, hmm.

What was it you wrote to Santa for?

- A jigsaw. - A jigsaw?

A difficult one. I hope.

And what would the picture be?

Anything at all.

A farm with animals.

Sure. I can help you if you get stuck on it, yeah.

Are you ready for another Dickens in the new year, do you think?

Yes, Mrs Wilson.

Good boy.

Will you put the record on for me?

Ned...