A&L scores a goal against its rival Arthur Cox

So that’s the accountants. Next, the lawyers. They are all very, very happy chappies (and lassies) over at A&L Goodbody, after winning the FT/Mergermarket Legal Advisor of the Year award.

Arthur Cox, which many people regard as the Manchester United of the corporate law scene, had previously made the gong its own, winning it umpteen years in a row, only to be toppled this year by its main rival. Does that make A&L Manchester City?

A&L scooped the award after working on a number of high-profile deals this year including advising Telefónica on its sale of O2 Ireland to Hutchison Whampoa and Elan on its defence against Royalty Pharma’s $6.8 billion hostile offer. It also subsequently advised Elan on its $8.6 billion takeover by Perrigo.

Manuel Pellegrini..... sorry.... Julian Yarr, A&L's managing partner, succinctly expressed the firm's delight: "We are delighted that our role in advising on some of the most complex deals in Ireland has again been recognised."

The top of the table clash between these two looks set to continue for some time to come.