A trip to Lord's for a Middlesex media day, a Champions League quarter-final and a kiss from a future pop star meant my 40th birthday was a day to remember.

They say life begins at 40 and that was certainly the case for myself as my landmark birthday led to one of my more action packed days on the planet.

As part of my celebrations I'd planned a trip to London where with Middlesex hosting an open media day it was a chance to photograph and interview amongst others Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan, Tim Murtagh, and Shaun Udal, about whom there were rumours he was about to declare his intention to play for Ireland.

I'd taken a photo of Ed and Eoin together when Tim Murtagh - who was yet to even know he was Irish qualified - took the camera and snapped the three of us.

I put the photo on the site with the caption Three of Ireland's Greatest left-handers!

Eoin Morgan, Barry Chambers and Ed Joyce

Following the media day it was off to the Emirates where Arsenal were playing my beloved Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

I was supposed to be attending with David Townsend, who as a season ticket holder had managed to secure two seats at the big match.

However, he told me that his son Danny was mad keen to go the match, and he had relented and would allow him to go. We would meet after the game in a local bar, the Cobden Arms.

I arrived at the stadium in good time, bought two programmes and settled in. There was no sign of Danny and the seat remained empty until about a minute before kick-off when a very attractive young woman entered, and informed me that Danny couldn't make it, and she was using the ticket.

We exchanged pleasantries and being stuck in alongside all the Arsenal fans, I kept quiet about my affiliation.

When Arsenal took the lead in the 23rd minute through Adebayor everyone leapt up and danced and cheered. This is when events took an interesting turn.

The young lady grabbed hold of me and gave me a kiss..."Isn't it great, We're winning."

I felt like St Peter denying our Lord three times when I agreed. "Come on you Gunners", I shouted...

I feigned suitable sympathy when Dirk Kuyt equalized shortly afterwards. A half-time conversation revealed that her name was Eliza Caird and that she was at college and just starting out in the music business.

The game thereafter drifted aimlessly with little excitement at either end and I spent most of the second half thinking that another goal for Arsenal wouldn't be the worst result in the world with the away goals rule...

Fast forward two years later when I received a call from David asking me was I near a radio? I switched on Radio One and being played was Eliza who now was known as Eliza Doolittle rather than Caird.

Her single "Pack up your Troubles" was on the way up the charts. I was willing it to get to number one but in the end it peaked at number 5. She's enjoyed modest success, with her latest album release in 2018. She has performed a concert with legendary singer songwriter Burt Bacarach and also was guest vocalist on a recent number one album.

Alas my 50th birthday was nowhere near as exciting - maybe the 60th will!