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Topics - Atticus_Finch

#1
General discussion / Gyms in Belfast
November 01, 2012, 08:16:35 PM
Moving to the Lisburn road direction side of town.

Just wondering would anyone have any advice on any decent gyms that side of town. Been told DW gym on Boucher is good but I'm sure it is not cheap at the same time.

Is there any decent gyms in west Belfast ?
#2
Derry / Celtic Park Thread
October 21, 2012, 09:49:38 PM
Has your marriage broken down ?  Have you been involved in a car accident ?  Did your child not get into his/her university of choice ?

Did you wake up beside an absolute sea donkey & violate the sacred "If you can't lift them, don't shift them" commandment ?

If you have ever experienced any of the above scenarios then the likelihood is that this was the direct result of a match being staged at Celtic Park !

If that match had been staged in Glen then those scenarios described above would not have happened and you would be leading a much happier life.

This thread is for all those true Derry gaels who need to get a "Why is this match staged at Celtic Park" rant off their chest.

Can we please keep Celtic Park moans/whinges off the main "Derry Club Football and Hurling" thread - it gives other counties an insight into why we are arguably one of the worst supported counties in Ireland !

For what it's worth despite having to travel a considerable distance to get to games staged in Celtic Park i'm happy to continue to do so for two reasons:

1. As someone has already pointed out on the main thread in terms of spectator facilities, press facilities and quality of the pitch; Celtic Park is a good county ground.

2. A lot of work seems to have been going into develop gaelic games in the city and to take away the big games from Celtic Park would send out the wrong signals.  I think for Derry to be successful as a county again then continued development and promotion of gaelic games in the city is key.  You only have to look back at some of the very successful soccer players the city has produced down through the years, easier said than done but ..... if that same conveyor belt of talent could be established for gaelic games then the county would be in a lot healthier shape.

That's the last I have to say on the whole Celtic Park saga, i'll let you lads who are caused so much trouble and turmoil by games being staged at Celtic Park have your say ...
#3
Going down to Dublin with a crowd of ones for the weekend for the sevens and the match (which will be hopefully viewed in croke park but more than likely will be viewed in a bar!).

I was wondering would some kind soul help me out with some advice ?   I'll be looking to get to Donegal town to meet up with a few friends after the game. 

Would anyone know of a bus going to the game that I might be able to jump in with on the way back from the game ?

Even if you can suggest a few clubs that would be running buses, i'll contact them.

I will be supporting Donegal on the day as I'm sure the whole of Ulster will be.

I'm from north derry, so a lot easier on the ear than the city posters on the board (e.g. Hi Mucker / Ticklemister) who all just sound like a male equivalent of Nadine Coyle  ;)

I would also treat your fellow county men, women and children with the utmost respect.

Regards,
Atticus
#4
Heard about this on the radio earlier - The National Army Mueseum is currently running a poll to decide who was Britiain's greatest foe ever.

Michael Collins is the sole Irish representative amongst the list of candidates, the website has quite a detailed bio on Collins:

The son of a west Cork farmer, Michael Collins moved to London in 1906 to work for the Post Office Savings Bank in West Kensington. While in London he studied at King's College, joined the Gaelic Athletic Association and was sworn into the underground Irish Republican Brotherhood.

He returned to Ireland in 1916 and joined the Irish Volunteers. Collins fought alongside Sean MacDiarmada in the Dublin General Post Office during the Easter Rising, but took a dim view of its military strategy. He believed the policy of capturing and then holding indefensible and vulnerable posts in the middle of the capital foolhardy. Such places were impossible to escape from and hard to supply. It was a lesson he would not forget.

Collins was arrested and imprisoned at Frongoch internment camp in Wales. Following his release in late 1916 he helped lead the revival of the Sinn Féin-Volunteer movement, combining political and military strategies, with many volunteers fighting elections on the Sinn Féin platform.

After Sinn Féin's 1918 election victory, in which he was elected MP for Cork South, Collins refused to take his seat at Westminster and instead became Minister of Finance in the newly formed underground government (Dáil Éireann). In January 1919 the Dáil declared that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was the legitimate army of the Irish Republic and in September Collins was appointed its Director of Intelligence.

In partnership with Richard Mulcahy, the IRA chief of staff, he effectively ran the army's campaign during the subsequent Irish War of Independence (1919-22). With the assistance of Dick McKee, Collins introduced the 'flying columns', volunteers who waged a guerrilla campaign, mounting surprise attacks on barracks and police stations and ambushing convoys before quickly withdrawing. He also created an assassination team known as 'The Squad', who killed British agents and police informers. For over two years he ran an intelligence system that infiltrated the British military and police authorities in Dublin.

Despite the difficulties in trying to run a government department during an underground war, Collins also managed to organise a large bond issue in the form of a 'National Loan' to help fund the Irish Republic and more importantly fund IRA units that needed money and arms. He also emphasised that IRA men should rely on the Irish population for support. The latter willingly provided food, safe houses and generally resisted passing information to the British. Much of this support was due to British excesses during the war, especially those carried out by the paramilitary 'Black and Tans' and Auxiliary Division.

After the cease-fire in July 1921 Collins led the Irish delegation to London to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty (6 December 1921). The agreement led to the partition of Ireland. He believed that this was the best deal that could be achieved given the comparative strength of the IRA and the British, but also felt it would be a stepping-stone to an Irish Republic that would eventually include the six northern counties. Indeed, even after the Dáil had ratified the treaty Collins launched a brief IRA guerrilla offensive against Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, many in the IRA felt the replacement of the republic by a Free State with dominion status within the British Empire was a betrayal and rejected his arguments.

This defiance of the new Provisional Government, of which Collins became chairman, precipitated the Irish Civil War (1922-23), in June 1922. Collins tried to prevent an IRA split, but eventually accepted that the anti-treaty faction was irreconcilable. He was also under strong British pressure to act against the anti-treaty IRA after they carried out attacks in Northern Ireland and London. In the conflict that followed, Collins borrowed British artillery to bombard the anti-treaty IRA volunteers in the Four Courts in Dublin, and energetically built up a new Irish National Army to crush the anti-treaty forces. As commander-in-chief he led a successful military campaign while continuing to seek a peaceful solution, but before he could negotiate a deal with his old IRA comrades he was shot and killed in West Cork on 22 August 1922.

Collins was the outstanding leader of the Irish War of Independence and fought the British to a standstill. He made much of Ireland ungovernable with an army that never exceeded more than 3,000 active volunteers at any given time. He also had an instinctive understanding of the strengths and limitations of guerrilla warfare, realising that the IRA could not completely defeat the British. Indeed on the eve of the 1921 treaty discussions, he conceded that his army was running out of weapons and ammunition. Collins compromised in order to win a partial victory, but he is said to have commented after signing the treaty: 'I tell you, I have signed my death warrant.'


Collin's is currently second in the leaderboard to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a Turkish commander that defied an allied invasion during the first world war.

Collins is only 150 votes behind !  The people on this board alone could make a difference:

http://www.nam.ac.uk/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/enemy-commanders-britains-greatest-foes/michael-collins

#5
I can't see any thread on this and thought that the possibility of the biggest fight of the 21st Century, featuring the sport's top two pound for pound fighters, deserved a thread of its own.

The hope of the fight being made received new hope yesterday when Mayweather called Pacquiao out on twitter.

Call me cynical but i think there is a good reason behind this and wouldn't go booking flights and accomodation for Vegas just yet.

Mayweather had been due to start his 87 day sentence last Friday but his lawyer successfully argued that this be postponed until the 1st of June so that he could fulfil a contractual obligation for a fight at the MGM Grand which they argued would inject a much needed 100m into the economy.

Mayweather has been granted this postponement on the basis that he has a fight but ... no concrete fight is lined up - so by Mayweather calling out Pacquiao over Twitter should he so happen be back before a judge trying to get his June the 1st date postponed he can turn around and say look i tried I called out Pacquiao over twitter.  Just like a drug addict would point to a few days rehab attendance to indicate their intention to go clean.

Also, I would add there would be no negative consequences for Mayweather if he didn't fulfil a contractual obligation to the MGM - in this day and age when Vegas is losing out on major fights to the likes of the Dallas Cowboy Stadium then as one of Boxing's major stars Mayweather is a very important lad to the MGM and Vegas.

The two promoters (Arum and Schaefer) have a lot of differences and that's the biggest stumbling block to a fight happening this year in my opinion.  I see Arum has already knocked back the idea of a May date and is talking about November being more suitable.

But i think a fight has to be made at some date in the future, I just hope it is sooner rather than later, as I don't want to see the fight when both fighters are long past their prime.  There are big motivating factors for each fighter involved.  For "Money" Mayweather the $ signs would surely be too much to say no and for Pacquiao if he wants to cement his legacy and erase doubts over his greatness after his recent performance against Marquez.

The build up to the fight (Jailbird vs congressman) and the fight itself have all the ingredients to justify its super-fight status and could potentially single handedly put boxing back on the map as the major sport it once was.  In terms of viewing figures it now falls behind American Football, Baseball, Basketball and UFC in America.

For me if the fight materialises this year then Mayweather wins.  The reasons why i think this probably merits a post in itself.

I'd do anything to make the trip to this fight - I just hope it doesn't happen in June !  Poland vs Vegas would be a difficult choice but there would be only one winner !

I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on a) the chances of the fight materialising and if so when ?  b) who would emerge as victorious ?
#6
One of my friends got his account closed by Victor Chandler today on the basis that "his win/loss ratio was too high" over the course of the last year.

He was in profit of roughly two grand during this period of time.  Sure, that is a nice healthy sum but it is ridiculous to think that any other major bookmakers would close your account for this sum of money, let alone for this reason.

I closed my account with them out of disgust.  I'm sure they won't lose any sleep over the loss of my account but there is no way I would ever want to punt with them again.
#7

19:00 Carlow U21 (1/19)   v    Kilkenny U21 (15/2)
   
19:00 Derry U21 (15/8)   v    Armagh U21 (8/15)
   
19:00 Meath U21 (1/4)   v    Longford U21 (4)

19:00 Westmeath (4/11)   v    Offaly U21 (11/4)
   
19:00 Wexford U21 (19/10)   v    Kildare U21 (8/15)   

19:30 Limerick U21 (8/15)   v    Clare U21 (2)   

19:30 Waterford U21 (15/4)   v    Tipperary U21 (1/4)

Out of all the competitions, there's normally a bit of value to be had with u-21 games.  A lot of the time that's because they represent unknown quantities for the bookies.

Take last time out for example, Dublin were red hot favourites to beat Meath and they got beat.

Anyone got any insight into any of the above games ?
#8
Folks, the latest i'm hearing in relation to the proposed Khan vs McCloskey fight is that  Sky have concerns that Mc Closkey might not be a big enough draw.  I've a wee favour to ask, please spare a minute of your time and contact sky  http://www.skysports.com/contactus/  .  Select Sky Box Office for the subject area from the drop down menu and type a brief message to let them know that if Khan vs McCloskey was a pay per view event that you would get it out.

Good old fashioned people power could make this fight happen, thanks for your time.
#9
I'm in London for a long weekend, trying to talk a few of the boys into taking a trip to the Ruislip to watch the London vs Wexford game. 

This is no easy task as one of the cockney lads is not interested at all but will only go if i can guarantee him that the "Jack and Danny" (Cockney Vernacular I believe) at the game will be of high calibre.

I could make him no such guarantee but i'd imagine that any game in Ruislip would bring a lot of Irish there and that the "Jack and Danny" would not be to bad.

Anyway his request for a guarantee sparked a debate amongst us lads about which county had the best looking weemen.

I wouldn't go to enough games to make a stab at a league table of the country's talent but my top three would look something like:

1. Armagh
2. Galway
3. Mayo

One of the lads, in his unbiased opinion, put Tyrone at the top of the table for calibre of ladies.  I dismissed his assertion out of hand.

Would just like to get anyone's thoughts on what counties has the best Gwen amongst their fanbase ?
#10
GAA Discussion / Donegal vs Derry
July 12, 2009, 07:00:47 PM
With Donegal scraping past Clare, you would have to fancy Derry to win this quite comfortably.  No disrespect to Donegal but was hoping for a tougher draw, someone that would give Derry a bit more of a test and galvanise them for a good run in the backdoor.  Was hoping for Meath ...
#11
I was having a night-in with the missus the other night and was forced to watch Coronation Street. I have to say I was captivated by the episode because I couldn't help but notice how the writers of Coronation street have used their current storyline to reflect their predictions for who's going to win the Sam Maguire. 

They have done this in a less than subtle way.   Allow me to explain ...

There is a character in Corrie called "Tyrone" who in the current storyline symbolises County Tyrone.

Once upon a time Tyrone had everything he wanted, he had the moon and the stars, and most importantly to him he had his Molly (Molly = Sam Maguire, Moon and the Stars = Sean Cavanagh, Footballer of the year , 2008)

Tyrone thought that when he got married that Molly would be his forever (Tyrone thought they would become the Kilkenny of modern day football, winning Sam year after year)

So as a result Tyrone started taking Molly for granted,  and didn't show her the TLC she truly deserved (Tyrone took Sam Maguire for granted, got complacent and it was only a matter of time before they got knocked off their perch and were dethroned as All-Ireland Champs)

As she was feeling neglected Molly started looking around the Rovers for another possible suitor, when an unlikely candidate, Kevin Webster (Antrim) catches her eye.

Traditionally Kevin wasn't regarded as a much of a ladies man around the street,  his last big achievement with the ladies , Sally Webster (1951 Ulster Title) had long been forgotten about.

Kevin decided it was time for a change, spruce himself up a bit and show a more appealing side to the corrie ladies (Baker Bradley comes on board for the Saffrons, gets them out of Division 4 and gets them playing some nice ball).

So it was inevitable that Molly and Kevin were going to embark on a passionate affair (passionate affair = Ulster Championship run).

As time passed,  Kevin started to take this affair a bit more serious and made plans for a weekend away with his new love (Weekend Away=Ulster Title)

That weekend away hasn't taken place yet but who knows if it goes well, one thing could lead to another and Kevin and Molly could get married (Getting Married = Antrim win All Ireland)

One thing is clear, Tyrone has lost Molly forever (Tyrone will never win the All Ireland again).  The way he is going it looks like that Tyrone will end up with the big ginger mess, Fizz (Fizz = Playing Division Four Football)

I believe the above is an obvious interpretation of the above especially when you consider that despite his Manchester accent it is no secret that Kevin Webster was born and reared in Randalstown.

I for one hope Kevin and Molly find true love and wish them a happily ever after.

Aointroim Abu,

Atticus