A week ago the subject of racism dominated the sporting press here at home, but this week the buzz phrase has been fair play in both the ancient art of hurling and the rather more universal game of rugby.

More than one Irish voice has protested at the manner in which the Argentineans used every foul means and fair in their attempt — unsuccessful thanks to Ronan O’Gara’s late winner — to beat Ireland at Lansdowne last Saturday.

After the game the Irish players complained that at least six of their number were gouged in the course of the match and it made for a stormy press conference in the usual tent used for such events behind the West Stand.

Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan and captain Brian O’Driscoll led the barrage of complaints that certainly left a bad taste in the mouth before the Argentineans got in on the act when their captain Agustin Pichot claimed that O’Driscoll tried to get some of his players sent off.

It was a most unsavory end to a tempestuous game and clearly strained relations between the two teams to such an extent that the next game between them may require suits of armor.

It wasn’t much better on Sunday when the Kilkenny side James Stephens beat Dublin’s UCD in the Leinster club hurling final by just one point.

In the normal course of events such a narrow wining margin wouldn’t provoke much debate, never mind a full blown dispute but the one point in question will be talked about for many years to come.

It transpired, thanks to television evidence, that a Richie Hayes point for the winners had in fact struck the woodwork and gone wide even though the umpire awarded the point.

UCD boss Babs Keating, the former Tipp player and manager, then claimed that the least James Stephens could do was replay the game, a request that has been flatly rejected by the Kilkennymen.

“This goes against the spirit of Kilkenny hurling,” claimed Babs on Tuesday but to no avail as it transpired that the referee’s report makes no mention of the disputed score.

Consequently the James Stephens players are preparing for an All-Ireland semifinal and UCD are licking their wounds. “Their cup and their medals are worthless now,” added Keating on Tuesday night. 

I have a feeling we haven’t heard the end of this one.