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More girth that girlish I would say 

Now that I think about it he has a fine-looking set of daughters.

I thought everyone in Ireland was aware of The Laurels and its resident midges! In time they will!

Wait until we're in Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day

Laurel eye - if you dont mind me asking where did your handle come from.. The Gilmore girls?

The only Gilmore I'm aware of is our County Treasurer and there's not much girlish about him.

Our club's home ground is known as The Laurels. Simple as that.

Seeing as that full-back line was one-third Colmcille, I don't know why you wouldn't have had confidence in it

You don't know???  Where have you been?

I believe that was what is known in the business as a rhetorical question...

I see Little Deccie is now referred to (in the Indo) as DC Reilly, presumably 'Cornadrung' has stuck - I hope you're proud.   

Blame the Flake - I don't have that much influence. "Stouty" gets referred to as Declan "E" on the programmes.

Masterson was good in defence

Yes, there was a lot of talk about the excellence of the full-back line - I wasn't sure this was an advertisement for Swampiness, or just lack of experience at seeing mere adequacy at this level in a Longford team.  We'll see in four weeks time.   

Seeing as that full-back line was one-third Colmcille, I don't know why you wouldn't have had confidence in it

[was]

Any reports on the game - was listening on Roscommonside, never again - even the Longford reports were Dromardside.  I got the impression, from the intermittent references to what was happening on the pitch (as opposed to Sheridan's general marvellousness, Masterson's hairstyle/physique and 'go bhfóre Dia orainn, what'll we do without' Conefrey) that we were reasonably comfortable without ever playing particularly well.

Ah now, Billy, you're letting your Swampophobia get the better of you.

Masterson was good in defence even if the Flake says he was. (Didn't notice anything exceptional about the hairstyles in general, or lack of them in certain cases.)

"Comfortable without ever playing particularly well" would cover it for most of the match - a few sitters of chances missed on either side and neither ever really dominated.

Stream of consciousness review:

Good to see Paddy Dowd back and he played well while he was there.

Mrs Barden's youngest had a nightmare and should probably have been replaced earlier.

McElvaney absent, not sure why.

Keenan's goal put the heart crosswise - you were sure as you watched him proceed in sloooow motion towards the goal that he'd be pulled for overcarrying but he wasn't. Tried the same thing later for a point but it didn't work.

Archie better than one might have feared in midfield.

Mrs Barden's middle child was probably man of the match - didn't pepper the scoresheet but did a lot of work, as did Berry.

Little Dec played well in defence, two other Colmcilles came on late in the match.

Our own pair played well - the elder exceptionally so. Got a knock at the end, think he should be OK, but may not have been thrilled about being taken off.

Team for Clare tomorrow:

Damien Sheridan (Dromard, capt.); Declan C Reilly (Colmcille), Diarmuid Masterson (Dromard), Dermot Brady (Longford Slashers); Gerard Dennigan (Cashel), David Hannify (Fr Manning Gaels), Shane Mulligan (Mullinalaghta); Bernard McElvaney (Ballymore), Liam Keenan (Ardagh); Trevor Smullen (Ballymahon), Paul Barden (Clonguish), Pádraig Berry (Abbeylara); David Barden (Clonguish), Kevin Mulligan (Mullinalaghta), Brian Kavanagh (Ardagh).

Changes from the team that started against Carlow: Gone are Arthur O'Connor and Kevin Smyth, replaced by Gerard Dennigan and Trevor Smullen, both of whom came on as subs in Carlow. Defence and forwards are rearranged; hopefully both will be more effective than the last day.

Lots of half-parish youngsters there Laureleye, what's in the water over there?

'Tis in the breed of them, Billy, 'tis in the breed of them.

Was at the Minor match on Saturday. The team didn't really perform that well, and they were fortunate to be up against an incredibly wasteful Carlow team. But at least one Longford county team managed to beat Carlow last week. One huge and quite dangerous Carlow midfielder who was moved to full-forward towards the end, after Longford had taken off Kieran Gill, and nearly managed to turn the game around. I hear the waterboys were tough opposition as well

Team: Gavin McNerney (Dromard); Aaron Gallagher (Mostrim), Fergal Battrim (Abbeylara), Aaron Quinn (Fr Manning Gaels); Ciarán Gallagher (Mostrim), Kevin Diffley (Ballymahon), John Sheridan (Dromard); Martin Brady (Seán Connollys, 1-0), Kieran Gill (Fr Manning Gaels); Pauric Gill (Fr Manning Gaels, 0-1), Dónal McElligott (Mullinalaghta), Paul McKeon (Colmcille, 0-1); Denis McGoldrick (Killoe, 0-1, free), Michael Quinn (Killoe, 1-4, three frees), Patrick Mullooly (Rathcline).

Substitutes: J.J Matthews (Mullinalaghta) for Mullooly (37 mins); Seán Duggan (Granard) for Aaron Gallagher (49 mins); Shane Mahon (Abbeylara) for Kieran Gill (53 mins); Conan Brady (Mullinalaghta) for Ciarán Gallagher (62 mins).

Next match is the 12th May (the day before the Leinster Championship match) but the draw for the next round has apparently still to be made.

[Reality check for Longford as Carlow spring shock.]

Bit after the fact, but here goes:

http://www.longfordtoday.ie/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=2628&ArticleID=2225788

Reality check for Longford as Carlow spring shock.

Carlow 1-15 Longford 1-11.

There was a reality check for the Longford footballers at Dr. Cullen Park on Sunday last as they suffered a shock defeat in their quest to clinch a top four finish in Division 2A of the National League against a Carlow team who were supposed to be in turmoil after losing their manager Andy Shortall along with a few key players.

This is no April fools joke, Carlow won by four points and they thoroughly deserved it. The mettle of the team was called into question as they trailed by two points with three minutes of normal time remaining and most of the sparse attendance would have been content with the performance but Carlow decided that enough was enough.

They rallied with points from captain Brian Kelly, Mark Carpenter and substitute Noel Conway to lead by the minimum of margins with three minutes of injury time remaining. They hung on grimly to the slender lead as Longford poured forward in search of an equaliser and Brian Kavanagh was presented with a chance.

From a free from about 40 yards, he decided to play a one-two, collected the ball and lined up a shot but just as he let rip at the goal Mark Carpenter lunged, arms sprawled to magnificently block the ball. Ok, this may be a little over-hyped but it was a fine block and it told the story of the game in one little incident.

This was the day that Carlow refused to be humiliated any more, they stood up to a man and refused to wilt when they went behind with time almost up. In the final seven minutes (including four of injury-time) Carlow scored 1-3. They had been in this position before, with victory within sight, against Clare and Roscommon but faded and were defeated.

This time it would be different and against a Longford team that were no better or worse than the previous visitors to Dr. Cullen Park they were able to close out the game, something that will give them the most satisfaction.

Longford were very wasteful and kicked at least half a dozen balls into the hands of Carlow keeper James Clarke. They shot as many poor wides and will feel they should have made their advantage near the death count.

However, it must also be pointed out that Longford played over 20 minutes of the second half with 14 men after centre-half-back Diarmuid Masterson was sent-off for two bookable offences and they were also unlucky with a pair of goal chances.

However, Carlow have had as many hard luck stories this year and despite all this they deserved their win if for nothing else for the endeavour shown.

All 19 players did their part for Carlow but there were a few exceptional performances. To put it simply, Mark Carpenter was brilliant. He kicked three points from play but his contribution went way beyond this. He started at full-forward but was moved to the '40' in early play and finished floating around the middle.

He did serious damage to Longford from here, was a constant option for the defenders and distributed the ball with precision and accuracy. In those vital final minutes, he scored a point, made the great block down and set-up Derek Hayden for the match clinching goal.

Brian Kavanagh gave Longford the early advantage with two early frees, before Brian Kelly replied with a free of his own for Carlow. The opening period was error strewn for Carlow and a collection of these gave Paul Barden a chance which he popped over to leave it 0-3 to 0-2 in favour of Longford with 15 minutes played.

Carpenter opened his account with a well-taken point after 17 minutes, the score was made great by its simplicity. He gathered the ball from Paul Cashin, turned his man easily and clipped the ball over the bar.

James Clarke was quickly off his line to smother an effort from Barden after 21 minutes but six minutes later they were in. Padraig Berry beat Paul Cashin to the ball and ran straight at goal with the Carlow defence opening up, he fed David Barden who flicked the ball into the net from five yards to leave it 1-3 to 0-3.

Kelly replied with two points for Carlow, one from a free, and Carpenter increased his tally with Brian Kavanagh and David Barden pointing to leave Longford leading by 1-5 to 0-6 at the break.

Brian Kelly added three frees in the opening exchanges of the second half to edge Carlow in front before Longford again threatened the Carlow goal. The dangerous David Barden hit the post with a rasper of a shot from a tight angle with Clarke beaten after 14 minutes and Christy Bolger was able to clear but substitute Trevor Smullen did point for Longford a minute later.

Carlow responded with a Noel Conway free after Brian Kelly had been injured winning the free with Diarmuid Masterson sent-off in the process. Cashin strode forward for a good point after receiving from Conway and on 27 minutes Kelly, recovered from his earlier knock, added a sublime effort on the turn from about 40 yards after good approach play from Carpenter.

It left the score 0-12 to 1-8 in favour of Carlow but Paul Barden levelled matters with a fine solo effort two minutes later.

The game was now in the melting pot and Carlow were dealt a blow when Christy Bolger was sent-off after receiving his second yellow card on 28 minutes.

David Barden edged Longford in front before Kevin Mulligan pointed when a long ball by Brian Kavanagh caught out the Carlow defence. But Carlow refused to accept
defeat and when Carpenter was fouled, Kelly pointed the free to give Carlow hope and great approach play and movement by Noel Conway, Derek Hayden and James Hickey set-up Carpenter for the equaliser on 36 minutes.

Both teams went for the win and to the delight of the home supporters Conway pointed after great work and a fantastic ball in by Carpenter a minute into injury-time. Brian Kavanagh then saw his effort blocked by Carpenter before the latter got on the ball to tee-up Hayden, who leaped over his marker to claim the ball and he made no mistake to score a goal from 10 yards to clinch Carlow's first victory in the National League this season.

CARLOW: James Clarke; James Ryan, Christy Bolger, Mark Nolan; Paul Cashin (0-1), Evan Doyle, Aidan Murphy; Gary Morrissey, Ronan McGrath; J.J. Smith, Derek Hayden (1-0), Brian Kelly (0-9, seven frees); Gavin Farrell, Mark Carpenter (0-3), Paul Reid.
Subs:- James Hickey for McGrath (inj.); Noel Conway (0-2, one free) for Farrell; Michael Murphy for Kelly, Joe Roche for Reid

LONGFORD: Damien Sheridan; Dermot Brady, David Hannify, Arthur O'Connor; Shane Mulligan, Diarmuid Masterson, Declan C Reilly; Liam Keenan, Bernard McElvaney; Kevin Smyth, Paul Barden (0-2), Padraig Berry; Kevin Mulligan (0-2), Brian Kavanagh (0-4, all frees), David Barden (1-2).
Subs:- Ger Dennigan for Keenan (injured); Trevor Smullen (0-1) for Smyth; Jamsie Martin for Berry.
Referee: Pat Fox (Westmeath).

Longford must overcome Clare to finish in the top four.

After suffering a major setback in their shock defeat by previously pointless Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park on Sunday last, Longford must now overcome the Paidi O'Se coached Clare in their remaining National Football League Division 2A fixture to finish in the top four.

At least Longford will have home advantage for that make or break game against Clare, who are on the same number of points in the league table, and the losers will miss out on the 2007 All-Ireland Qualifiers and will go straight into the Tommy Murphy Cup - unless they happen to reach the provincial championship final.

Therefore, the pressure is very much on for Luke Dempsey and his players for the Pearse Park showdown switched to Sunday week, April 15th. The final round of Division 2A fixtures were scheduled to be played on Sunday next, April 8th, but so tight is the situation that the re-arranged fixture between London and Leitrim in Ruislip must be played this week-end.

Leitrim, of course, scored a surprise success over Roscommon at Hyde Park on Sunday last to put themselves right back in contention for promotion and they will be expected to clock up a big win against London and move into second place ahead of their home game against Monaghan the following week.

As unbeaten Monaghan have already clinched the top spot in Division 2A and are thus through to the play-offs, they could well be joined by Leitrim who will be quietly confident of getting a result in Cloone.

While Roscommon could also finish in second spot, they will have to beat Offaly in Tullamore which will be a very tough task indeed particularly as the faithful county need to win to make sure of their top four spot.

Depending on the other results going their way, Longford could also finish runners-up in Division 2A with the aid of their superior scores difference and clinch a place in the new look Division 2 next season but they must first beat Clare and then see what happens.

All will be decided on Super Sunday, April 15th, with a lot at stake for Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly and Clare in a very tense and exciting conclusion to the so competitive National Football League Division 2A campaign.

[at all]

The ladies want, and does anyone here honestly believe that if they challenge this is a European court they won't get it?

And a host of other sports - hockey, basketball, AIL rugby for a start - are going to be right there after them.

And given the hoops that existing sports grant recipients have to go through to get money in terms of reaching a required level of performance, they're not going to be happy at all with money being doled out to the likes of the Cavan hurlers.

Sometime down the road the Government will need to cut corners - something we haven't had to do in over a decade. When €3bn or so needs to be cut from the budget, subsidising the GAA to pay players will look like a very easy target. This may be as many as ten years away, it may be as few as three. I priced up odds on a housing crash there recently, and some very prominent figures were very quick to back all the worst scenarios. Some unpleasant material is destined for the fan very quickly.

I wouldn't even expect it to be as long as three years away. We could be looking at months. Once the election is out of the way, all bets are off.

Why only if Longford and/or Offaly are involved? Since they're game ended in a draw then it affects neither's scoring difference nor has no impact on any of the other teams.

You're making the fundamental mistake there of thinking logically...

Being on a day off, my time isn't worth a cent, but I agree with Hardy, AZ and the rest.

Why does everyone (generalisation) in modern day Ireland want paid for everything they do?

Welcome to the Celtic Tiger, where you're only as worthwhile as the amount you earn.

On an unrelated issue, Shamrock, may I commend your excellent taste in your choice of new avatar 

[ever]

That makes no sense.

Yes. And?

This is the world of the Gee-Ay-Ay comm-itt-ee we're dealing with. Nothing ever makes any sense.

I understand but you must get your picks in before 2 on this Sunday.

The spreads will not change...

Not looking for an extension - just pointing out that there are 4 matches there for which there aren't going to be any results, so it seems pointless displaying them.