Bookies, punters and hacks all had a grand day out at the Shelbourne Hotel last week when Mr Raymond Farrell became the first on-course bookie in the Republic to embrace the technological revolution and offer his odds online. NetbetIreland.com will take betting out of smokey, cigarette littered floors of the State's betting shops and into the comfort of a person's own front room, said Mr Farrell, clearly bubbling with excitement at his latest gamble.

Unfortunately his race towards becoming the latest dot.com millionaire fell at the first hurdle when technical difficulties disrupted an online demonstration at the launch. Not to worry though, lunch and a £25 charity bet managed to keep a smile on the faces of even those who don't know a Bobbyjo from an Istabraq.