 I’VE had to face up to some pretty big facts this week and make a tough decision regarding the path of my Great 08 Challenge. It’s just six weeks now until the Cross Mersey swim on August 31, when I will be going head-to-head with Olympian Steve Parry. And after ultimately falling apart on centre court at Calderstones and out on the Links at Royal Liverpool I’ve realised that only 100% dedication from this point is going to get me across the precarious tidal water. I was supposed to start pre-season training with one of the region’s leading professional football clubs this week, however, my limited participation with the first team squad would not have made for much of a challenge. Getting a 10 minute run out in a friendly was also littered with red tape leaving the whole challenge representing more of a publicity stunt than a test of strength, stamina and skill. Therefore, I've decided to scrap the football part of my challenge altogether and concentrate on getting in shape for the swim. The decision wasn't an easy one. I've kicked a ball since the day I could walk, gracing practically every ground on Merseyside at one stage or another. The prospect of joining up with the first team squad of one of the region's top clubs was certainly one of the personal highlights when I started putting my Great 08 plan together. But I have to be true to myself and make sure that every event at least matches the last, if not surpasses it, as regards to a personal challenge. Football training for a week or two, even at the highest level, would have been more of a pleasure than a challenge and that’s not what this year is supposed to be about. However, my Great 08 Challenge isn’t about to become a Superficial 7 . . . I’ve got a cracking reserve sporting challenge up my sleeve. Don’t miss next week’s column for full details of my new Safari challenge. Got you guessing? Let’s just say that for once I’ll be walking in a land of the giants. Push him in Steve! DESPITE being urged on by council leader Warren Bradley, Olympic hero Steve Parry resisted the temptation to give me a soaking this week. I met up with my swimming mentor (we race across the Mersey in my next challenge on August 31) at the opening of the new Aquatic Centre in Wavertree. And I got plenty of pointers from Steve and Beijing-bound Fran Halsall and Michael Rock as I begin my training proper. After clocking up just 800m in 35 minutes on Monday I am going to need all the help I can get. Picturesque challenge that really putts on the style AFTER spending the best part of a month patrolling the fairways and greens of many of the region’s best – and worst – golf courses for challenge number four I've been getting inundated with the same question from friends, associates and, well, random people in the street. Everybody wants to know which course I enjoyed most and which I would recommend playing this summer. And, while a handful of Liverpool and Wirral's municipal courses are in their best shape for years, naturally they don't hold a wedge to a lot of the private tracks on Merseyside. As you might imagine, I found both West Lancs and Royal Liverpool incredibly intimidating although, once out there, fiercely challenging. With green fees quoted as being near £150 a round it's unlikely I will play either ever again but – hand on heart – that's probably a relief to my current game. As far as facilities are concerned Formby Hall now leaves all the others standing, but it’s turned into Disneyland. Even the keenest of weekend putters could spend two days running around there now. All that's missing now, though, is an afternoon parade through the car parks! Grange Park, Childwall and Hillside are all nice knocks, but when it comes to testy inland courses, Frodsham scores a hole in one. Okay, so it's a little out of the way, over the Runcorn Bridge up towards Delamere Forest, but I've played there three times in the past fortnight and it’s the only course that not only satisfied, but left me eager to return. It's not the longest or even the most difficult in the region, but every green is as tricky to read as those courses with championship credentials, while only a chosen few can boast its picturesque setting. The clubhouse is modest but welcoming while – unlike one or two overlay pretentious courses I could mention – the members were not only hospitable but encouraging. I am planning on returning soon as I attempt to rid myself of my baseball grip and net my first proper handicap. Neary clash is confirmed IT’S official. The ring and, more importantly, paramedics are both booked and on Saturday, October 25 I will find myself on the inside of the ring for the first time when I take up the penultimate test of my Great 08 Challenge. I will be co-headlining a boxing show at the Olympia, coming face to fist with one of the city’s best loved former world champions - all on my own. The ‘Shamrock Express’ Shea Neary will come out of an eight-year retirement to once again grace the ring. The now 40-year-old Shamrock’s Gym boss is still in terrific shape due to his new role in the corner of a handful of the city’s most exciting young pros. But he’ll be the star attraction again, one last time, to face me in a match-up already being dubbed The Mismatch! Tickets for the show, which will feature eight other bouts much more evenly matched - will be available soon. And I am sure that this event more than any other this year will raise plenty of cash for the Liverpool Unites charity . . . after all who wouldn’t want to see the brilliant Neary one last time, clocking up another first round knockout! | 
