Topics

Home grown: http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/reg_roses.php/cPath/80

I see Michaela Harte is pulling a fast one and entering again, under Offaly.

International: http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/roses.php/cPath/1

[Starter:]

I recently recalled a conversation I had with a French chef in France after a right few beers. We were talking about our ideal meal - if we were allowed one final 3-course meal before heading to the gallows, what would it be? I can't recall his as he was naming fowl and other animals I'd never heard of. Mine was rather more simplistic:

Starter:

Vegetable soup, fairly salty.

Main Course:

Champ, gravy, butter, cabbage and some kind of meat, probably just strips of chicken.

Dessert:

Custard and chocolate cake /or plain vanilla ice cream.


Yours?

If you can be bothered to listen to it but here's this morning's link to her Radio 2 show this morn....much talk about her slurred words and mumblings. Radio 2 says she had a sore throat....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2_aod.shtml?radio2/r2_kennedy_mon

Had to spake to herself for half the day.

In today's Sunday World, Spillane lets rip on Tyrone's exit and their 'Clive Woodward style of football'. He blames Tyrone and Armagh for destroying Gaelic Football, crediting Kerry for finding the solution to the 'bad old days' of football. Last week's football (Antrim/Wicklow/Sligo/Cork/Tyrone) was 'puke football, the sequel'. He labels Monaghan as 'Tyrone-Lite'.

Please, Banty, squeeze and suffocate the life outta them today....

Smile.

[Three Thousand Years of Hurling]

    Three Thousand Years of Hurling


    We in the GAA are fond of claiming the bragging rights to having the world's oldest sport in hurling, but the history of our national game is not always portrayed accurately. 

    Some argue that field hockey evolved from hurling, others say that hurling evolved from field hockey, and there is a theory that lacrosse may have Irish roots. There was even a theory doing the rounds that hurling is an import from Cornwall, but that is a myth that was caused by a few badly-researched articles about a Cornish custom of 'hurling the silver ball' and bears no resemblance whatsoever to the clash of the ash. 

    One of the causes of the fanciful 'hurling as a hockey descendant' theory is the distribution of the game in Ireland around the sixteenth century. Many of the hurling strongholds of the time, such as Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, East Cork and Cork City, Limerick City, East Galway, and North Tipperary contained British army garrison towns. It was supposed that the British brought hockey with them, and this was copied by the locals.

    This theory does not stand up to much scrutiny. There is plenty of evidence of hurling in Ireland, such as the famous and legendary exploits of Cuchulainn, long before the British plantations. There are also the accounts of the Battle of Moytura in the thirteenth century BC, where the native Fir Bolg prepared for battle against the Tuatha de Danaan with a hurling match. Mann, son of the mute King of Leinster, was given the ability to talk with the accidental blow of a hurley during a game around the year 500 BC. Even written evidence of the game exists dating from the fifth century AD in the Brehon laws. 

    The concept of hitting a small ball with a big stick is a universal phenomenon. It is quite possible that what we know as the modern sports of hurling, hockey, lacrosse, bandy, shinty, and the others evolved in parallel. Stick-and-ball games are noted in ancient times in Greece, as well as throughout Persia and the Middle East. Even the ancient Aztec Indians down in South America, having little or no contact with the rest of the world, were at it in some form.

    As with all aspects of history, twenty-first century labels cannot be applied to ancient pastimes, so to describe all stick and ball games played in ancient Ireland as 'hurling' and those in ancient Scotland as 'shinty' are a bit misleading. Today the two games exist as distinct and clearly-defined codes, but the lines between them get a lot more blurred the further back in time you go. Prior to codification and the foundation of the GAA, teams would agree on the rules on a match-by-match basis, so there was an infinite variety of games being played throughout the land.

    It was during the 'golden age of hurling,' around the 18th century, that the landed gentry became the driving force behind organised hurling in Ireland. Local aristocrats promoted matches as gambling events. Many landlords of the day maintained hurling teams to challenge other landlords, and there is evidence of such games being played throughout what is now the core hurling region.

    Meanwhile, farther to the north, a similar game was being played in Derry, Antrim, Down, and (get ready for this) parts of Armagh. The orchard county may languish in Division 3 of today's National Hurling League, but hurling (or some variation of it) definitely existed there centuries ago. A townland near my birthplace in north Armagh is called Aghacommon, meaning 'hurling field.' In my Irish classes I was taught that the Irish word for hurling is 'iomanacht.' In my dealings with a local shinty team here in California I have learned that the Scots Gaelic word for shinty is 'cammanacht.' A bit more research into the northern version of the pastime reveals that the game played in Ulster was called 'commons,' and it shared a lot of traits with shinty besides having a similar name. Let's not forget that this was all before the invention of the printing press and the standardisation of language that came with it, so when one man says 'commons' and another says 'cammanacht,' they could well be talking about the very same thing.

    We also know that in ancient times before planes, trains and automobiles, it was more convenient to travel large distances by water than to travel by land, and it is a known fact that there was a lot of traffic and trade between Ireland and Scotland in those days, possibly as much there was inland. There are certain people in the north these days who make a big deal of this for political reasons, but it is worth noting nonetheless. In an age when travel to and from Scotland was commonplace, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the types of hurling played in Ulster were heavily influenced by the Scottish varieties of shinty. It would explain a great many things such as place names, and the fact that Antrim still hangs in there as an 'isolated' hurling county, struggling to keep up in a game the rules of which were drawn up from a southern perspective.

    © 2005

    [This is an opinion column and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Western Division Board.]

http://www.sfgaa.org/squareBall/article.php?article=6

I was once told that hurling isn't popular in places like Tyrone because the ancient High Kings and those after believed it was a bastardised Hockey/Cricket/English game, promoted by landloards etc. Eh?

Wild Thing on fire.

Bet he hits an 80 tomorrow.

Clarke bombs. 77.

Confirmed live Sky Sports fixtures:

AUGUST

Sat 11: Sunderland v Tottenham (12.45pm)

Sun 12: Chelsea v Birmingham (1.30pm)

Sun 12: Man Utd v Reading (4pm)

Tue 14: Tottenham v Everton (8pm)

Wed 15: Wigan v Middlesbrough (8pm)

Sat 18: Portsmouth v Bolton (12.45pm)

Sun 19: Man City v Man Utd (1.30pm)

Sun 19: Liverpool v Chelsea (4pm)

Sat 25: Sunderland v Liverpool (12.45pm)

Sun 26: Man Utd v Tottenham (4pm)

SEPTEMBER

Sun 2: Arsenal v Portsmouth (1.30pm)

Sun 2: Aston Villa v Chelsea (4pm)

Sat 15: Portsmouth v Liverpool (12.45pm)

Sun 16: Man City v Aston Villa (4pm)

Sun 23: Newcastle v West Ham (1.30pm)

Sun 23: Man Utd v Chelsea (4pm)

Sat 29: Man City v Newcastle (12.45pm)

Sun 30: Everton v Middlesbrough (4pm)

OCTOBER

Sat 6: Man Utd v Wigan (12.45pm)

Sun 7: Reading v Derby (2pm)

Sun 7: Fulham v Portsmouth (4.10pm)

Sat 20: Everton v Liverpool (12.45pm)

Sun 21: West Ham v Sunderland (4pm)

Sun 28: Bolton v Aston Villa (1.30pm)

Sun 28: Liverpool v Arsenal (4pm)

NOVEMBER

Sat 3: Arsenal v Man Utd (12.45pm)

Sun 4: West Ham v Bolton (4pm)

Sat 10: Sunderland v Newcastle (12.45pm)

Sun 11: Birmingham v Aston Villa (1pm)

Sun 11: Portsmouth v Man City (4pm)

Sat 24: Newcastle v Liverpool (12.45pm)

Sun 25: West Ham v Tottenham (1.30pm)

Sun 25: Fulham v Blackburn Rovers (4pm)


Aren't Setanta showing some as well?

Was thinking there about match-day gear and superstition. I recently bought a retro item from retro-gaa (good material btw) as I've never been one for up-to-date county tops. The only time I bought one was for the 2003 All-Ireland Final. I never wore it again until I dug it out for the 2005 final, solely for superstitious reasons. It has been retired again. I normally wear a simple white polo top with the red hand on it - not a lucky top but simply my match-day gear. I've met neilthemac and I know he dons his lucky straw hat for games. I've seen Fearon and he wears his dinner over his top but that might be a different thing altogether.

Does anyone here have a lucky (under)garment that they'd try to wear to all county games?

I'm told Paddy went to town on the Kerryites today, saying they put on a front in public (i.e. gracious losers/humble winners) but when in the safe environment of their jungle, they sneer and smirk at the other 31 counties....

Paddy has stopped my Irish News account for lambasting his lambastations so if anyone has an account could I have a gawk?

That must be some Derry defence - 0-3 against Antrim and 0-1 against Monaghan. They also won every game in the Minor League. I'm sure they'll be hot favourites for this, although the gradual integration of the Omagh CBS Hogan men will help Tyrone. Promises to be a fascinating contest between two high class underage outfits and no matter the outcome, I wouldn't be surprised to see them meet again in September.

Never heard of him til today.

Deadly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyQd5R3mAbA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm-eX58_CLI&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Eyo5BWV7c&mode=related&search=

And while I'm at it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly_WktndKEI&mode=related&search=

Anyone know the answer to this - it is posted on the retro-gaa site in the 'did you know' section....

By 1979, only 9 counties wore the county crests on match days.

If you listen, mostly that is, to another station please state.

[AGAINST THE BREEZE]

Throwback Francie shows up the modern day prima donnas  

AGAINST THE BREEZE  
by Paddy Heaney 


Cult Hero: The cult status that Armagh defender Francie Bellew has built up over the years owes much to his honest, no-nonsense style of play which is in stark contrast to the play-acting of some of his peers

I couldn't help thinking of Francie Bellew while watching the quiz at the end of 'The Championship' on Sunday night.

Our beloved Francie mightn't feature for Armagh this year and the summer will be the poorer for his absence.

Since entering the Championship arena in 2002, the Crossmaglen defender has become a cult hero. He's a figure who commands respect and admiration well beyond the borders of his native county.

One of the reasons for Francie's popularity is that he is a throwback to the days of yore when strength was the pre-eminent characteristic of any self-respecting defender. Back then speed was considered a useful but not an essential component of the defender's CV.

Francie's Allstar award and continued presence in the orange jersey has proved that there is still a place for the traditional footballer in the modern game.

However, Francie's nationwide appeal cannot be solely attributed to his ability as a footballer. The style and spirit in which he plays the game has also endeared him to many supporters.

The elder generation, the boys and girls who remember 'ladies' choices' and Senior Service cigarettes, hold Francie in particular affection because he represents an honest, stoic manliness that is quickly evaporating from a game once played by honest, stoic men.

Watch a golden oldie repeat on TG4 and it's startling to see how much gaelic football has changed over the past 25 years. While the quality has improved, not all the changes have been for the better.

In the not too distant past, players didn't feign injury, they didn't dive and time-wasting wasn't considered a key component of the gameplan.

Again, part of Francie Bellew's appeal is that he harks back to a time when 'going down' was a sign of weakness. Strong men took pride in staying on their feet and getting on with the job, even when they were hurt.

While it's true that Francie is no saint, I've watched him being kicked, thumped and provoked by forwards. On every occasion, he has soaked up the punishment with impervious calm. And, unlike many of the men he has marked, Francie has never tried to get anyone booked or sent off by going down in a heap.

Whenever Francie Bellew does stay on the ground, it's a cast-iron guarantee that he's injured and in genuine pain. If only the same could be said for the hundreds of other players who routinely make a mockery of the principles that once lay at the heart of gaelic football.

Make no mistake, the current tactic of time-wasting by feigning injury is the single biggest cancer affecting the sport. This abominable, dishonest practice is sabotaging the spirit of the game and ruining it as a spectacle.

The closing stages of Sunday's minor game between Down and Cavan was a prime example. Down were defending a three-point lead as they faced a late onslaught from Cavan. It could have been an exciting finale, but the play was continually disrupted as the Mourne lads hit the deck at every opportunity.

It was infuriating to watch and it was hard not to sympathise with the Cavan players who grew increasingly frustrated as they watched their opponents engage in this shameless play-acting.

Maybe the Down lads were injured, but none appeared to be suffering from cramp or any other ailment when they celebrated their victory.

It's perhaps a bit cruel to single out the Down minors, but I make no apologies for my choice of example. The fact that it is U18 players who are engaged in this behaviour further demonstrates how endemic this appalling tactic has become.

The 'Dying Swan' routine can be witnessed at every level, from underage to senior, from school to club to county. The problem is so widespread that it must be assumed that players of all ages are being encouraged to do it by their mentors.

Unfortunately, the reason teams are encouraged to indulge in this hideous gamesmanship is because it has yielded results.

Tyrone, the All-Ireland champions in 2003 and 2005 have been the worst offenders at the top level. In 2003, they were particularly guilty.

Sean Cavanagh put Jurgen Klinsmann to shame when he got Derry's Padraig O'Kane sent off for a second yellow card in Casement Park. Brian McGuigan went down like he was shot when Greg McCartan threw the ball at him in the Ulster final and Philip Jordan didn't cover himself in glory during the incident which led to Diarmaid Marsden being sent off in that year's All-Ireland final.

In Tyrone's case, the Red Hand players were willing to make a meal of fouls in a bid to get players booked or sent off. Since then, referees have become more wary of the thespian tendencies of players from all teams and are not as easily hoodwinked.

However, the practice of feigning injury during the closing stages of a game is still rampant and this scourge will only be eradicated when referees have the bottle to add on whatever extra time is required.

Once three or four minutes of added time has been signalled, players realise the referees are reluctant to go beyond what has been displayed on the board. But, it's time for the men in black to get tough.

If one team suffers a rash of 'injuries' during this period, referees must have the courage to stop the clock.

This may lead to seven or eight minutes of added time being played, but the trailing team must be given a sporting chance.

Otherwise this disgusting behaviour will become embedded in the culture of our game and we will continue to see young players rewarded for acting injured instead of acting like men – men like Francie Bellew.

Surely the nerves are wrecking the rest of yiz too? Only for the taigs in the UK, Ireland could have been receiving their first nil points ever....Switzerland for me......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/eurovision/2007/contestants/

I called into the Bot yesterday to see Arsenal win the title for Utd. The smell was excruciating. Not sure whether it was sweat, the passing of wind, toilets, last night's beer/wine spillage but it was close to being gag-inducing unbearable.

Did our southern friends suffer the same effect at the start or will it be something we'll need to get used to?

I see some lass from Forkhill is about to make it big. She sings that sleepy version of Let's Dance by David Bowie in the Ballygowan advert. Heard on the radio that it was only a mess-about but fell into the hands of Ballygowan. Now she's releasing it as a single.

This is all down to the good work of Datsun Donaghy who seems to have inspired a generation of songsters in that area with his ode to Aidan O'Rourke to the tune of She's Beautiful

....and I saw his face
In the Forkhill Mace

Anyway, Paula Flynn I think you call her - misspaulaflynn on myspace.

In this interim period a few of our heroes have the odd weekend off and I was wondering if you had spotted many about again?

I was shopping in Cootehill Mace and saw Trevor Mortimer hassling the checkout girl in Boots Chemist. He had asked for Maybelline Ultra but she told him it was out of stock. He lost the head and called her a typical tight hoor, threatening to take his business elsewhere until she handed him Charles Worthington Whitener at half price. He paid E2.56 exactly and didn't return her goodbyes, wiggling his arse as he exited. Dermot McCabe looked on in disgust as he purchased Cod Liver Oil.