HE’S THE MAN who controls the purse strings so we’re betting (no pun intended) that Michael Noonan knows a thing or two about placing the odd wager.

While on the campaign trail with the Fine Gael candidate for Meath East, Helen McEntee, yesterday Noonan decided to make a trip to the local betting shop and show them how it’s done:

Step 1: Enter betting shop, preferably with a posse

“Now lads, watch how the pros do it…”

Step 2: Fill out the slip

“Have you got a pen that works?”

Step 3: Assess the finances

“Now, I have the ESB, Aer Lingus and the Coillte forests in here… ”

Step 4: Show them you mean business

“Sure, we’ll go with €50 and see how we do.”

Step 5: Stay cool, laugh off any nervousness

“Hehhehheh, no problem, lads. No problem.”

Step 6: Have the banter with the fellow punters

“No, but seriously yiz had better pay the property tax…”

Later we learned that Noonan put €50 on Helen McEntee to take the Dáil seat at odds of 4-7. Not the greatest bet in the world…

Pics: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

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