Irish Independent Chief Sports Analysis Writer. Guinness drinker, lustful liver of life. Passionate about sport, movies and music. Views me, RTs don't endorse
Lost a relative to the scourge of cancer this morning; all the family wanted was one more Christmas together. What they wouldn't give now for just one more week; a day even. Enjoy what you have and who you have it with, even if it doesn't seem all that. It might be all you get.
Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool has won a Champions League (and a runners-up medal), FA Cup, two League Cups (in both of which he was outstanding) and a Super Cup, a rare Irishman at a leading world club.
Why on earth would he want to be anywhere else?
Myself and two other journalists knocked on Roy Keane's Saipan hotel room door in 2002 after the rest of the team had left and he answered the door naked from the waist down with Dylan's Positive 4th Street blaring in the background...
Four years ago, Cian Healy was struggling to write his own name; then, he nearly did, to sign a form that would terminate his career there and then. But he didn't and today signs on for another two years to extend a remarkable career he thought one day might be over.
Spoke to Damien Duff yesterday
Before we finished, he told me to make sure I got this message across about certain people in the GAA - "They're fucking dinosaurs"
Maybe while the FAI are in the business of correcting seemingly obvious oversights, they might dig out a few photos of Kerr's Kids from 97, 98, 99 and put them on the wall in the Abbottstown. And they could also apologise for the "oversight" of refusing to organise any reunion.
RIP Simon Young. There will be many gushing tributes but I recall also the dark days of mental and physical turmoil far away from the spotlight that shunned him
He endured, stoically.
"If we were all to throw our problems into a pile on the floor, you'd soon grab your own back."
Week two of the
#coronavirus
lockdown.
Think about this.
By simply doing nothing, you may have saved a life!
What power. Such responsibility.
Was it really that difficult?
Pour a drink. Kiss your partner. Or your pet. Or your self. And sleep well.
Tomorrow the sun shines.
Curtis, can we go deep?
Sure!
Tell me about Mildred.
Jesus, nobody has asked about her in ages...
We spend two hours talking about family and losing our mums..
Great to catch up with an old friend to chat and say sorry for shrugging shoulders at racism.
Quite telling that the IOC can evict Russia, a global sporting superpower from the grandest show on earth and yet they can't budge Pat Hickey from the OCI.......
Munster made 161 tackles to Toulon's 70. Toulon made 526 metres to 299; dominated territory and possession 60-40; 4/1 clean breaks, twice as much offloads/defenders beaten but could not hold sway over a pulsating heartbeat of redoubtable character and spirit.
#MUNvTOU
1yr on. Just putting this up again. A lot of people stayed silent, doidn't look or else did nothing about the FAI and John Delaney. Many tried and were silenced. This is how Ireland works. And has always done so. And like always, the poorest will take the brunt of the pain.
Shane Ross says he goes to soccer matches every weekend in his constituency - where he always sees John Delaney or one of his representatives - and reports that he has never once heard any criticism of the FAI. So that's alright then.
Fair play
@UlsterRugby
for swift, decisive action.
Racism is not a fight for
@SimonZebo
alone but for EVERYONE in Ireland, within and beyond sport and it remains an issue that shames our nation.
He was like another father figure to me growing up, imbuing a love of sport and fun. RIP Pakie McGarty. A man who could recreate the stadia of the world with the contents of a newsagents.
I actually couldn't care less whether Munster beat Wasps, or even if the game takes place at all.
Just hope the players and their families are able to benefit from the emotional and psychological supports provided by
@Munsterrugby
and
@IRFURugby
Rugby is warmly hugging itself for doing its best to protect players but, as much as red card was a good decision, leaving Farrell on the field is a much, much worse look for the sport.
#ENGvARG
Still not sure exactly what is the story with the Mayo ladies but more than a bit disconcerting that mental health has been tossed arbitrarily into the mix
On autism. I recall the ignorance, sometimes from family and friends, indirectly, obliquely, so condescending towards one of my wonderful boys, who has developed more and more wonderfully, thanks to some marvellous teachers. So distressing to see this ignorance still pervasive.
And in rugby news, the Heineken Cup, which changed itself up a little bit but was still called the Heineken Cup, is now officially called the Heineken Cup again. Cheers.
Mario Ledesma speaking morosely about the loss of an Argentinean professional team, the lack of home games, absence of budget to bring family members on tour. "It's a challenge to mental health."
World Rugby is failing so many nations.
I believe, in time, history will treat Stephen Kenny well though results didn't mirror his ambition.
He will go but if FAI appoint quick fix, they will regress. They must continue this journey with the same bold spirit. Irish football deserves this much.
I know Twitter despises the Irish Independent but just want to acknowledge that of the eight major Irish daily newspapers who could have staffed the Irish women's rugby press conference, only one did.
Guess which one?
(feel free to shove trumpet wherever you wish)
A column in which I repeat calls to clone Sexton as a 12 - my colleague
@CianTracey1
has a far more insightful piece on the topic - but broadly I couldn't care less if Ireland played rugby like it was 1957 once their players stopped receiving abuse. It's only a fucking game
Many in Ireland will be disappointed that Denis Naughten has resigned; then again, given that only half the country has high-speed broadband, many may not yet have heard the news.
I went to a match on Friday and saw a fellah run around with not much purpose while wearing gloves with temperatures nearing double figures.
Harry Gregg went back into a burning plane to save anyone he could.
And played a game two weeks later.
And he remained utterly humble.
Shane Ross says he goes to soccer matches every weekend in his constituency - where he always sees John Delaney or one of his representatives - and reports that he has never once heard any criticism of the FAI. So that's alright then.
Not the worst outcome for Rhasidat Adeleke to be slightly pissed off with a silver; in time, this will be marked as another significant step on a journey. Astonishing battle and a PB to boot. She's only 21 lads!
A reminder that England are one of the favourites to win the Euros; they are World Cup contenders. Ireland's task is to catch up with the Finlands of the European game, not England.
Okay, govt nabobs and panjandrums, now for enforcement. My sister works in retail and today, like many others, she was abused and threatened for the heinous crime of requesting customers wear a mask. She has no authority to refuse them entry. She needs to be afforded it.
#level3
Amhrรกn na bhFiann greeted with respect in Windsor Park for the first time as two Irelands meet; Lucy Quinn and Rebecca Holloway, sporting opponents here, are partners off the field.
Women just do everything better, let's face it.
Katie McCabe "It's been tough. Katie v Vera is not a thing. We've spoken and I'll always be grateful for what Vera gave Irish football. I feel okay now. But we're looking forward now to qualifying for the Euros."
But Munster making both play-offs, with a coach in the chair for just a matter of months, is still a hugely creditable achievement which, hopefully won't get lost amidst the drowning of sorrows.
#R92vMUN
For those of a certain age tweet....
Original season runs of "The Wonder Years" and "The Golden Girls" begin on TG4 this morning from 11.10am.
This has been a public service announcement on behalf of smiling...
Wayne Pivac has already ruled out his concussed players from next week's game; Ireland likely to proceed with the depressing song and dance about protocols and procedures in an effort to shoehorn theirs into next week's side. If in doubt, leave them out. Please.
I'd love to talk to one of the (many) sources who leaked from both NPHET and the government in the past 24 hours. Did it make them feel self-important? Did they get an adrenaline rush of self-satisfaction? Did they stop and think how the anguish deeply affects so many?
#level3
Burrowing down a rabbit hole and remembering the time I asked Roy Keane was he an alcoholic and yet still managed to leave the room with both my arms intact.....
A little love letter to
@NewcastleCC
post
@ChampionsCup
.. Finest people, male and female, wondrous boozers, marvellous architecture, stunning stadium and a final word for my angel of the north, finder of my cherished MP3 player, containing much of sentimental value. Chapeau all.
"The joy has gone from the Olympic Village, that went to sleep with the optimism of youth and awoke as old as sin." James Lawton, 1988, Seoul, 100m final RIP
" A day off for the gee-gees!" jokes the straight fellah on the radio to the sports jock, without any comprehension how devastating this equine flu could be for those involved. Sometimes wish people who know nothing about sport would just fuck off and leave us to it....
Some thoughts on Cliodhna Moloney.
She may never wear the Irish jersey again, nor receive an apology.
But somebody in the IRFU should call to say "Thanks".
They should have her phone number....
Jarring how athletes so readily commit to such intimate confessionals in their moments of greatest despair to fulfil the needs of TV entertainment in the same week when this nation's political elite have dodged and deviated from the people they are supposed to serve.
I am biased but fwiw but this non-scientician felt much safer in
@Thebankbar
last Thursday - social distancing, restriction on numbers, strict adherence on face coverings - compared to what I witnessed in several large city centre shops when none of the above was being enforced.
Soccer in Ireland, Dateline, 25/06/2020 -
Celebrating being drunk 30 years ago after a penalty
Getting drunk now celebrating a match in England
FAI and its clubs scrambling down the back of a couch looking for enough pennies to restart its national league Good night !
Connacht the first green lighted province for this weekend; all negatives returned on squad testing so good to go for Munster this Saturday. Mack Hansen, Ben O'Donnell and Paul Boyle may return but Jack Carty (foot) likely to miss out.
I am proud to have known Ryan Tubridy for nearly 30 years and despite our Lennon/McCartney difficulties, my admiration for him has rarely been higher as he prepares to bring joy to so many with this evening's toy show. A beacon amidst so much darkness in 2020.
Okay, I know this is controversial but I really don't give a fuck. I never heard of Ray Walker from Carlow and now everybody does. A four-year ban for a 35-year-old playing for a team who were never going to win anything? Give me a break.
This Bury story is so sad. I remember when my club nearly died and others in football turned away, when we were locked out of our ground and our house on Emmet Road, when people thieved when claiming to help. It's about more than football, it's people and community. Life itself.
The GAA and Premier League meet separately; one, patiently trying to find out how best to keep its folk safe and healthy, the other, seeking, by any means it can, to play as many games as they can as quickly as they can.
Reminds me why I love the GAA and its kin so much more.
A few hastily written words last evening as the dreaded news about the passing of Jim Lawton was received. Inadequate, definitely, but certainly heart-felt.