Dear Noel,
I’m worried about my husband. Lately he has started dropping hints about getting involved in a seven-a-side. He says all his mates and their wives do it every summer.

I’m just not that type of girl. I don’t want to lose him, Noel, but I’m afraid if he starts dabbling in seven-a-side, he will never regain his love for the conventional 15-a-side game.

We met through 15-a-side. That’s what I’m comfortable with, and I don’t want to interfere with the karma in any way.

What should I do?

     - Lisa (33), Lower Laois.

Dear Noel,

Last Saturday night, I wasn’t looking where I was going as I went down the stairs into a night-club. I stumbled and drove my right high-heel into my left calf. The pain was horrendous. I went to ground straighaway. I thought I had been kicked from behind.

It was a desperate scene: two of my sisters crying I was going to bleed to death. I danced on one leg for an hour until the bouncers asked me to leave.

After the chips, onion rings and batter burgers, I had to walk home and barely slept a minute with the throbbing pain.

Next day, the manager dropped me for the first round of the championship. He wasn’t mad at me for being out on the town. Instead, he said the injury was just “typical you.”

He added: “You never show any vision. You always run into trouble. We can’t risk you.”

Noel, do you think I should wear mouldies now that the good weather is here?

     - Nora, Tralee, Co. Kerry (29)

Dear Noel,

I’m in a terrible state.

I really fancy this guy who plays hurling. He captains his school team and stuff.

But I know nothing about hurling. I go to a private school and play hockey.

I’d like to ask this guy to my Debs. My friends think I’m being anarchic to repay my parents for a sheltered upbringing.

But I really fancy him, Noel. I’ve never seen him without that funny helmet thing he wears, but I hear he’s drop-dead gorgeous.

What can I do?

- Natasha (18), Cork city.

Dear Noel,

Do you think some hot romance the night before a big game is a good or bad idea?

Would the much-trumpeted benefits from releasing all those endorphins outweigh the fatigue generated by the work-out itself? Would I be stronger or weaker going into the last ten minutes of a tight game?

My husband has never noticed any difference in how I play the day after (or, indeed, of) one of our passionate encounters. His name’s Jerry. He’s a tiler.

- Joanne (address and other biographical details withheld)