Name: Antoine Griezmann.
Age: 27
La Liga titles: 0
Champions League titles: 0
World Cup titles: 0
European Championship titles: 0
Films about not signing for a different team: 1
Robbie Keane getting a fair bit of shit for being invited to the Euros final. Not only has he been a technical assessor for UEFA at the tournament, he’s also scored more international goals than any English or Italian player.
Enda Stevens was a part-time pizza delivery boy 10 years ago. Now he’s pushing for the Champions League with Sheffield Utd. Spoke to numerous people - from his best mate to his current club boss - who have played a key part in his story. The real story.
Before mid-season break, LOI attendances rose over 500,000 for first time.
Up to June 2022, 283,941 went to PD games. That's 371,551 this year.
Rovers-Bohs broke 10,000.
There have been record season ticket sales.
Women's attendance record was broken.
'Pick your battles?'
🗣️ ‘The crowds are not as strong as some people are saying they are.'
🗣️ 'Don’t issue threats to RTÉ, to me, it’s a battle you cant win.’
Philip Quinn discusses LOI clubs frustration due to the lack of broadcasting of European games this season. ⚽
Can’t stop watching this video because it feels amazing to see my four-year-old son’s excitement & hear him say “chocolate”. Couldn’t imagine it earlier in the year. It has been tough & there have been tears but our Christmas is already made. Keep the faith ❤️✊🏼
#Autism
Spent some time in Robbie Brady’s company near his home in Wilmslow last week. A revealing, honest account of his struggles and search for happiness. Up on
@The42_ie
later today.
Turns out a lot of the great gaels of Ireland can’t stomach a lad getting a freebie. Delighted for him. Enjoy the game, joshpray, you won’t be the only one there for the first time this year.
Ajax and PSV weighing up Troy Parrott move this summer.
The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international has impressed on loan with Excelsior Rotterdam this season.
Incredible evening for Shelbourne. Following up on the breaking news today, understand that Acun Ilicali is writing off his investment. Irish directors taking over this week and won't cost them a cent. Damien Duff staying as manager.
The boys from Bawnogue.
Had a laugh meeting Republic of Ireland U21 internationals Aidomo Emakhu and Sinclair Armstrong in London this week ahead of QPR’s game with Millwall at the weekend.
Piece on
@The42_ie
tomorrow morning.
I'm going to sound like a football snob here but I don't care. I actually feel sorry for other sports at times that they don't have what we do. Hurling? Cork-Limerick? Nothing compares to what we have been seeing from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Epic. Absolutely epic. 😅👀
Seeing Declan Rice come on for England, after he played three times for Ireland, is actually sickening. He is as talented a conniving bullshitter as he is a footballer.
Southampton have agreed a fee with Manchester City for Gavin Bazunu and he will have his medical ahead of completing his move. More to follow on
@The42_ie
shortly.
Megan Markel never was going to be part of our Royal family she is an American actress who has manipulated Harry to get what she wants! Which is a big house in California and a big bank balance playing every card including the race card!
Full interview from today’s
@IrishMailSunday
. Conan Byrne discusses his partner’s stroke last year, the battle to own a home for his young family, and his future as a primary school teacher.
When you’re a goalkeeper... and an only child... in self isolation... and trying to keep up with your training... 😂😂came up with this himself! I’m so impressed.
#coronavirus
#StayHomeStaySafe
Four of the five League of Ireland Premier Division games tomorrow night are sold out. Derry City v Cork City, Pat’s v Shels, Bohs v Dundalk, and Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers.
Tickets still on sale for UCD at home to Sligo Rovers.
Exclusive: Canadian investment firm to buy League of Ireland club with former Ireland international as CEO.
Tricorps Pacific Capital will take charge of Treaty United, making Ciara McCormack the game’s first female chief executive.
Read more:
Listening to
@SecondCaptains
there. The Cork U-20 hurlers have been shown on national telly three times in the last six weeks.
Just had a look... Shamrock Rovers, the League of Ireland champions, were last shown on April 23rd.
Last thing Shamrock Rovers need now is a trip to Kerry in FAI Cup this Sunday.
Fantastic night for the League of Ireland.
Europa League play-off place secured and Conference League group stages guaranteed for Rovers.
St Pat’s in Conference play-off.
The games might be on TV.
Having been labelled a peddler of misinformation by one experienced colleague & described as a sycoFANt by another in England for reporting the reasons behind Duff leaving the FAI, & that senior players (incl captain Seamus Coleman) support Stephen Kenny, this is... interesting.
If you are a football person please join the challenge of posting a football photo. Just one picture, no description. Please copy the text in your status, post a picture and some great memories/pictures
Posting this cause it feels unreal to be back playing football. Completed my first 90 minutes since I was 19 - that will be 14 years next week 🤯 - and was buzzing to be able to take a peno 😅 Five games into pre-season and it is quality to be part of a team again with Beech Park
Things already a bit different with Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager. Asked him a question for the Sunday papers a little while ago about how he wants his midfield to work and got an 11-minute answer...
And to think that one utterly disgusting columnist in the Irish Daily Mail wrote this week that autistic people lack the ability to be ‘witty or opportunistic.’
The little b****x 😂❤️
Burnley jump ahead of four English clubs, plus Serie A interest, to sign Ireland intl.
Vincent Kompany driving force behind getting deal done.
Burnley boss believes 24 y/o capable of operating at top 6-8 level of Premier League, & can make him better.
McClean starting ahead of Connolly is a surprise - unless you listened to
@SecondCaptains
earlier 👀 - but worth remembering he did score some big goals in the last World Cup campaign... Moldova, Austria and Wales away.
Oh, and Aviva Stadium would have been at capacity for the 2023 FAI Cup final had security not insisted on closing certain sections. Still, largest ever attendance at 43,881.
'Don't poke the bear?'
Before mid-season break, LOI attendances rose over 500,000 for first time.
Up to June 2022, 283,941 went to PD games. That's 371,551 this year.
Rovers-Bohs broke 10,000.
There have been record season ticket sales.
Women's attendance record was broken.
'Pick your battles?'
Stephen O’Donnell is no longer St Pat’s head coach. Told Garrett Kelleher he was leaving for Dundalk yesterday. Tim Clancy has just been granted permission to speak to Pat’s by Drogheda. More on
@The42_ie
shortly.
Spent a bit of time with Gavin Bazunu at home in Firhouse on New Year’s Eve. Reflects on a life-changing 12 months at Manchester City after arriving in England from Shamrock Rovers. Covering everything from Christy Moore gigs to Pep Guardiola training. Up on
@The42_ie
tomorrow.
It’s a Dublin derby Cup final this Sunday so who better to spend an afternoon with than the two townies facing off in midfield. We started at the Ha’penny Bridge and went from there… For
@football_ie
on
@The42_ie
this Saturday.
St Pat's revival prime example of League of Ireland culture shift.
No need for gimmicks to see attendances rise, the challenge now is to capitalise on a change in attitude.
Series of Premier League and top European clubs express interest in signing Gavin Bazunu this summer. Two years left on his Manchester City deal but the Ireland goalkeeper has impressed so much that they expect serious bids. Full story:
Keith Fahey invited me into his home - the one he grew up in in Tallaght - & spoke openly about his demons, how his faith saved him, &, for weekend that’s in it, scoring on his Ireland debut in Yerevan against Armenia. Plus I met the beautiful Pneuma. On
@The42_ie
in the morning.
Wasn’t aware how much of a driving force Tommie Gorman was for Sligo Rovers’ redevelopment of The Showgrounds.
Last week he was in the bank & helping to finalise their Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund submission for Monday.
His funeral is today.
Big boost for Shamrock Rovers as they aim to make it five titles in a row in 2024. Understand that Rory Gaffney has agreed a new one-year contract at the club. Had the chance to go to Derry City but is expected to sign deal to stay at Tallaght Stadium. More on
@The42_ie
shortly.
Last bit for
@The42_ie
for a while... so here are 4,000 words about how Roy Keane really ended up at Man Utd. Fascinating archive quotes & a sign of times that he was taking midnight calls from Noel Spillane for
@ExaminerSport
for updates.
Watching my one-year-old son eat scrambled egg for breakfast is how I imagine the staff at Charlie’s looked at me eating a four-in-one at three in the morning...
Roberto Lopes starts for Cape Verde v Ethiopia at 7pm (on Sky) - fairly sure he’s the only player in AFCON putting his Covid free buildup down to the help of the Rialto Medical Centre. Last shout for his first diary here.
This could sell-out 🤯
Get the last remaining tickets for a special Sunday now before it’s too late.
Bohs v St. Pat’s in the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium.
#FAICup
|
#BOHPAT
Leo Varadkar spoke to reporters in Brussels about stepping down: 'It can’t be forever, and I don’t want it to be forever. You know I left Leinster House last night at nearly 10pm. I went home, had a takeaway, had a chat with my partner and got up at 6.45am to get on a plane at 8
Dundalk. Torn asunder. Have that American ownership group invested a penny or were they hoping European football and some luck was a get-rich-quick scheme?
'If I had kept going I would have died. I was taking 12 to 14 sleeping tablets a night'
A year ago, Darron Gibson regained consciousness with paramedics in his home.
Visited him to talk addiction, recovery, & moment his life changed.
Click pic to read:
Considering Alan Kelly felt he had to issue a personal statement (not through FAI) denying claims he leaked info which led to the investigation that was the reason for Damien Duff leaving, you have to wonder why experienced reporters continue to ‘peddle’ a particular angle.
Stephen Kenny has lost a second member of his senior ROI staff with respected goalkeeping Alan Kelly following Damien Duff out the door. Something clearly amiss with ROI management set-up.
With all the good
@bfcdublin
are doing off the pitch, how do they keep getting it right on it? Spoke to Keith Long, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley and James Talbot to find out. With mention of David Attenborough, ‘Keith’s little shed’ and Dublin City Bikes.
Interview with Aidomo Emakhu and Sinclair Armstrong in London for
@The42_ie
.
Childhood friends from Clondalkin leading the line for Republic of Ireland U21s and making their way in the game.