Could Guardian Football Weekly podcast host oust Santa and turn on Christmas lights in Birr in 2025?

Could one of the hosts of The Guardian's hugely popular Football Weekly podcast oust Santa and turn on Christmas lights in Birr in 2025?

Listening to the latest episode of the podcast it certainly sounds like  Birr native Barry Glendenning would be up for the job and Max Rushden would be up for joining him. 

On the latest episode with Max, Barry, Jonathan Liew and Sam Dalling, the topic of whether any of them had ever turned on Christmas lights is brought up. 

When asked if he had ever turned on the Birr lights, Barry replies that he 'wasn't good enough at hurling' to get asked.

He went on to say that they would be his lights of choice to turn on if he had an option. Max then suggested starting a campaign 'for Barry to do the Birr lights' but Barry was unsure if anyone in Birr knew who he was any more.

As the always excellent banter continued, Max said he would not rest until Barry got to to the countdown and push the button.

When Barry said he wasn't sure if there was an actual ceremony to switch on the lights in Birr, max went to the place you need to go to find out information about Offaly (and of course I mean us here at www.offalyexpress.ie) noted that Santa had turned them on this year. 

And then he upped the ante suggesting Football Weekly could do a 'Homecoming Live Show' for Barry in Birr next year with Barry noting there was a perfect venue and even offering up his mother's house, which helpfully is across the street from Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, for a party afterwards!!!

So to the organisers of the Birr Christmas Lights, the choice appears to be yours.... Santa or Barry Glendenning and the Football Weekly team to turn on your lights in 2025.... surely you won't hold his hurling skills (or apparent lack of them) against him.