Phil Hogan has taken himself out of the race to become the next director general of the World Trade Organisation, I see, staying on as European Commissioner for Trade. I was told he fancied his chances of landing the job. I was also told the HR manager at the WTO was looking for a very specific candidate to fill the post – namely a female African diplomat. Hogan won’t be swapping Belgium GAA for senior hurling with Geneva Gaels anytime soon.