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Bit of advice please. Need a set top box to watch digital tv in North Donegal. Ideally would like one that allows me to watch RTÉ and BBC channels if possible. Anyone know what I should be looking out for in terms of the tuner I need on the box.

Had a quick check there and couldn't find an appropriate thread so started this new one for less supported sports. I'll start with one I enjoy. Bowling.

Congratulations to Chris Sloan who made the TV finals of the USBC masters this past weekend. One of the majors of the PBA bowling calendar it's a very impressive performance from the Dubliner who continues his recent excellent form which also saw him record a third place finish in the Men's world championship. I think but don't quote me that Chris might be the first Irishman to make a major finals in your history. With the return of the NI Open next month and a possible second World Cup hosting just a few years away, Irish bowling is on a real high at the minute.

Over in Edinburghfor the weekend. Just wondering where the best place to watch today's games would be. Will be in the city centre all day

I don't see it discussed anywhere else so i thought I would start a new thread.  From HoganStand


Plans to change the structure of next year's National Football League have been unveiled.

Under the new format, the 16 teams currently in Division 1 and 2 will make up Divisions 1A and 1B. The remaining 16 team would be moved into Division 2 and 3 based on their final standings in this year's league.

Tyrone, Kildare, Westmeath, Meath, Louth, Derry, Monaghan and Galway were due to play in Division 2 next year, but they will now join Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Armagh, Donegal, Laois and Down in Division 1.

They would be divided into two groups of eight using a random draw, which would be repeated every two years to keep the competition fresh.

The new format would allow for the reintroduction of Division 1 semi-finals, while the bottom team in each of 1A and 1B would drop down and be replaced by the top two in Division 2.

Before reverting back to its current format in 2008, the National League had comprised of Divisions 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B with the outright winners being crowned Division 1 and 2 champions.


I for one am not in favour as I think it will make the two Division ones less exciting if only the bottom team is getting relegated, also likely to be more dead rubber matches on the last day. Also makes a mockery of all the work some teams did to get into/ stay in Div 1 over the last few years.

Heading to the point tonight for the KOL gig and I am wondering where the best place to park is?  I have badly hurt my back ths week as well so would like somewhere quite close.  Tried pre-booking the Euro Car Park at the point village there but seems i am too late.  Anyone know if I can turn up there without pre-booking or should I be looking at trying to park somewhere else.  I will be coming from the north probably via the tunnel

Bit of a long shot but I was wondering if any one on the board had two tickets for Dara O'Briain in the Waterfront on Tuesday Nov 9th that they might swap for two tickets to the show on the 10th.

Im heading down to the Russia game and I thought I would ask my mates if they fancied it.  Long story short, one decided he wanted to go to this game only and another two decided they wanted season tickets.  As a result I was able to get a spare ticket for tonights game from my cousin and thought the season tickets would just be a formality.

So I tried phoning all week to order the season tickets as my job is more flexible for doing that than theirs.  After getting a voicemail message all week, which I consistently asked to ring me back I finally managed to get through to day but was told I was too late to buy any season tickets for tonight but that I could order a 6 match season ticket from next Monday.  I was a little miffed at this as I had been trying to get tickets all week but thought ok.  I then asked were there tickets still available for tonights game and was assured, yes there are but only as a double pack with the Norway game.  I then asked if I ordered them could I order a 5 game season ticket and they said no they weren't planning a 5 game season ticket so in effect I would have to buy 4 tickets instead of 2 for the Norway game.  What the FAI have in effect managed to do by not thinking the situation through is cost themselves 540 euro.  To me if I was in business and still had tickets available for tonight I would be doing anything I could to get rid of them not making it as awkward as possible for customers.  A 6 game package without the Russia game is a lot less appealing than the 7 game package.

In summation I am now going to have to try and source two tickets at the ground tonight of which the FAI will receive no additional income

Going away on holiday in the middle of June with a group of friends.  One of them doesnt have and has never had a passport so about 4-5 weeks ago they applied for an Irish passport via the passport express service.  About 10 days after sending the application, it is returned to him as the photos aren't right.  He immediately goes out and gets proper photos and re-submits.  Now with the strike hes not sure if hes going to be able to go on the holiday.  Anyone any recent experience with the passport office that could offer some advice.  Would he be served going down and seeing them and/or bringing proof of travel.  I know a few years back I went down on a Monday with proof I was flying on a Wednesday and as a result they had the passport for me on the Tuesday but I don't think theyd do that now

Not criticising it but I see the Ireland v Australia soccer match is going to be played at Thomond Park in August.  This is after the city was selected to hold the first international rules test of the year.   Must be a great boost for the economy in the area following the redevelopment of the grounds, just wondering though will Limerick continue to get international games or will these be a one off to mark the redevelopment?

As I have previously commented on varying admission prices are a big bugbear of mine especially when they vary on a game by game basis in the league (no problem on them changing as you progress through the championship).  As a result I decided to start this topic to see what the years league is like for pricing.  Two weeks ago in Wexford I was charged €15 into the stand for the Wexford v Armagh game.  Last night for the Armagh v Laois game it was €12.  Whats it like in other counties and what are the concessions like.  I remember last year getting student rate into every national league game until the Armagh v Dublin where I was told in no uncertain terms that Central Council did not allow counties to offer student rates  No idea why they had then for 5 or 6 games.  My favourite incident though was a McKenna cup game last year when my brother went to pay me in and said one adult and one student to which the man on the turnstyle responded that would be £5.  The guy behind me then says one adult please and the man on the turnstyle says £7 please.

Also where does the additional money go?

Anyone know where I could get old all ireland finals such as those featured on TG4 as a box set.  I think I remember seeing on for the 80's in Golden Discs once but couldnt find any, anywhere when I was looking today

Sorry if this has been covered already but I see that under new rules for next season there will no longer be tickings.  Instead now two yellow cards will result in a replacement coming on to the field.  Does anyone have any more info on this, will it apply at all levels etc?  I don't think I like the rule at all, gives referees even more room to not issue a straight red card for striking which is one of the things that annoys me most

Where any other new rules past?

Was talking to a friend of mine recently and he saying that the the young players of the year in 2001 2002 and 2003 were all past pupils of Saint Patricks Armagh.  Can any other school club town or even county claim a record like that for young player of the year or player of the year.  I would think that probably only counties could match this

Does anyone know where I could get information on why a number of county boards changed their crests a few years ago?  I remember Armagh doing it and someone saying it was to do with the city council, anyone any more info?

What was the first name of Ryan McMenamins solictor when he appealed the suspension he got from the Ulster Final replay in 2005.  I can remember his surname was Logan but my mind is blank as to his first name

I am doing a project about how the DRA is supposed to be removing the high court from Irish sport but I know see from Hoganstand that Enniskillen Gaels are threatening legal action, can anyone fill me in on any details about this?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Also if any Enniskillen Gaels members could contact me that would be very helpfull.  Sorry if this is covered in a topic elsewhere