As well as champagne and backslaps, there was some video tape of Ross' finest moments and best sides.

It was a wonderful cricket match - backslaps for a lot of people.''

WHEN I accepted an invitation to take part in an awards ceremony at the Oasis Academy school in Croydon during week, I was told to just brace myself for two hours of handshakes and backslaps.

JACKET off and still sweaty, Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais enjoyed backslaps at the HBO party where he sat with Best TV Drama Actor Steve Buscemi.

The Young Knives' entrance was predictably comical - literally emerging through the packed crowd po-faced and additionally riled by a series of encouraging backslaps.

JACKET off and still a bit sweaty, Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais enjoyed backslaps at the HBO party where he sat with Best TV Drama Actor Steve Buscemi.

But it was backslaps all around for Earnie, Kenny Miller, Eddie Lewis and Craig Fagan after they scored from the spot.

If this hasn't worked, try the entire cycle - including backslaps - up to three times and call an ambulance.

WESTMEATH'S footballers are on a high, but when they come back down to earth, keeper Gary Connaughton will get plenty of backslaps.

The Eire Og clubman and the county's under-21 boss returned to training during the week and was greeted with handshakes and backslaps - and he was clearly bemused.

They walked off as heroes to manager Machin's hearty backslaps.