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PP & Ladbrokes have the teams to win in this order (odds are PP)

Limerick    3/1
Louth    7/2
Westmeath    4/1
Offaly    5/1
Wexford    7/1
Cavan    8/1
Tipperary    8/1
Waterford    20/1

Boylesports is similar except for the Biffos squeezing us down to 4th. Prob would have Tipp higher myself and Limerick normally don't go that well in the league. This will be quite a competitive division, wouldn't be surprised if there was still 5 teams vying for promotion on the last day. Fixtures this weekend are:

Round 1

Offaly V Cavan
Time: 2 30 PM, Venue: O Connor Park, Tullamore

Wexford V Waterford
Time: 2 30 PM, Venue: Wexford Park

Louth V Westmeath
Time: 2 30 PM, Venue: Drogheda

Tipperary V Limerick
Time: 2 30 PM, Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles

Couldn't have picked a tougher start to our campaign than a trip to Drogheda. Our first visit there since Rory O'Connell ruled the skies in the O'Byrne Cup in 05, hope the pitch has improved since then. Think we'll have to crowd midfield this time to counter our shortcomings/Keenan. Will Fitzer be plámásing at the gate?

Thread for interviews of interest from the local papers, start with Damien Healy's interview with the Westmeath Independent http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/sport/gaa/articles/2010/12/29/4002381-healy-looks-back-on-ups-and-downs-of-westmeath--football-career/ Had (and still has) a great outlook on the game, would be the last one to arrive into a dressing room and the last one out onto the pitch but he'd always be first to the ball, savage pace. The man was one of our greatest servants and will be sorely missed. Here he is after one of our better days against Mayo in 2001


Healy looks back on ups and downs of Westmeath football career

For many sportsmen, the medals they accumulate over their careers are cherished as tangible reminders of former glories, but not so for Damien Healy. The Rochfortbridge man, who recently called time on a 14 year inter-county career that spanned three decades, won't be rushing to build a trophy cabinet in his home.

In fact, he admits that not only is he unsure of the location of many of the honours he's picked up over the years, he's also unsure of how many titles he's won. This one fact tells you a lot about Damien and the type of footballer he is. It's the contest that matters; trying your hardest to be the best you can.

"I haven't a clue what medals I have. I don't even know where my Leinster medal is. I wouldn't be sentimental in that way to be honest. People tell me that I'll be looking back and wishing I had those things, but what about it. There's guys out there that know all the stats and if I need to know anything, I'll ask them."

Damien (34), who describes his time with Westmeath as a series of "humps and hollows", made his debut for the senior team in a league match against Antrim in 1996 and, after dedicating almost half his life to the cause, he admits that he may feel a tinge of regret when his erstwhile team-mates take to the field in next year's Leinster championship. Despite this, he is adamant that, after one premature retirement, he has finally called time on his inter-county career. This time around, however, he had hoped to slip quietly away. Unlike his first official and quite public "retirement" - which came in the aftermath of the senior football team's comprehensive championship defeat to Dublin in 2006.

"When Pat (Flanagan) came in first, I told him that I wanted to finish up then. I told him that I wasn't able for it any more, but given the upheaval at the time, I didn't want to cause too much disruption. He knew by then though that I wasn't coming back this year. Somebody sent me a link last week to the 'announcements' last week, I had to laugh. You have to wonder where these announcements come from."

A Railway Cup winner with Leinster, his longevity is all the more remarkable considering that he has lived in Galway for almost all of his inter-county career. While friends were out enjoying Galway's many charms, Damien spent his youth on the then N6 driving to and from training and jokes that the motorway "came 10 years too late." Although he doesn't regret a minute of it, the computer technician admits that he won't miss this side of things.

"You get a lot miles under your belt and you don't realise that when you're in the midst of it. When I took a year off to go travelling in 2008, I began to realise how much time I put into it. When you're in the middle of it, you can't see the woods from the trees. It was only when you stop the routine that you realise how hard it is. When I came back from travelling it was just too hard to get into it again. You realise that there is more to life than running around a football pitch. You have to enjoy it. When you're hitting 34 and you're running after a 19-year-old it's not that enjoyable."

The one part of a county footballer's life that Damien really loved, bar playing, was the intense training. Renowned for his versatility and attacking forays from his wing-back spot, Damien's first sporting love was athletics and he believes this was the perfect preparation for the direction that football has gone in.

"I loved the training side of things. Some players hate it. I think some are suited to it and some aren't. With my background, it was brown bread to me. If it made me fitter and stronger, bring it on."

Dublin legend Barney Rock was the man who gave Damien his debut for the county senior team and, while he acknowledges the impact that Barney and the other managers he played under had on his career, the man who had the biggest influence on him was All-Ireland winner Brendan Lowry from Offaly, who was at helm between 1997 and 2000.

"Each manager had a different approach to things, but the manager that had a profound effect on me was Brendan Lowry. If Brendan had been around when the back door came in, God knows what would have happened. The back door came in a year after Brendan left. We all the know the success we had with Luke (Dempsey) and Páidí (" Sé), but Brendan is probably one of those managers that has been forgotten about."

Unlike many of his team-mates who would have represented the county from under-16 up, Damien "never got a look in" until minor level. After making the breakthrough, his rise through the ranks was rapid and within a few years, he was turning out for the senior team.

With athletics his main priority as a sports mad youngster, he didn't watch a lot of football and today he acknowledges that this may have actually been an advantage as he was never overawed by either team-mates' or opponents' reputations.

"I wasn't one of those young fellas that grew up hoping that I would play for the senior county team. Apart from my cousin, Jack Cooney, I didn't actually know any of the senior county players. Jack was one of the big men on the team and only for him I wouldn't have had a clue who was who and what was what. I remember we had a game up in Croke Park against Laois in the championship and it was the first time I saw some of the older players nervous. I couldn't understand why. I still can't understand it. I suppose I was a cocky young fella who just wanted to play the game."

By the time the summer of 2004 came around, Damien was a seasoned campaigner on the inter-county scene. And although he admits that nothing compares to be being part of the team that brought the Delaney Cup to Westmeath for the first and, up to now, only time, he believes that the team of 2001, which narrowly lost to Meath twice over the course of a memorable summer, was the finest he ever played on.

Murphy ruins Lake hopes

Coached by Luke Dempsey, they began the summer with an agonising one point defeat to Sean Boylan's side. However, the team regrouped and following victories over Wexford, Limerick, Louth and Mayo in the first ever qualifier series, they were given the chance to exact revenge on the men for the Royal County in the quarter-finals.

"We were winning by a point with only a minute remaining. I was marking Ollie Murphy and we had boxed the head off each other all match, but in a good way. Meath were on the attack and I left Ollie for one second to try and block Graham Geraghty. Graham passed it to Ollie and he scored a goal. One second, just that one second.

I was talking about the game to someone at the weekend and it still makes me feel sick to the stomach.

If you ask anyone from the 2001 team, I'd say they'd all still be sickened by that result."

Fast forward to the present day and after a few disappointing Leinster championships and the retirements of Damien and his fellow stalwarts Martin Flanagan and Derek Heavin, many commentators are predicting a less than rosy future for Westmeath football, but the now former county star sees things differently.

"It's not going to happen over night, but I would have no worries about the future. There are a lot of good footballers coming through. Division Three is a good place to be when you're rebuilding. Look at Down, they were in Division Three. Sometimes you have to go back to rebuild."

If the current generation of Westmeath footballers coming through display half the dedication Damien displayed over his inter-county career, then Westmeath's quest for a second Leinster crown may be shorter than anticipated.

On the divisive topic of play and pay, Damien says that its amateur status is an integral part of what make's the GAA great.

"From my perspective, nobody twisted my arm to play. I did what I wanted to do. If you came for another reason, quit. These days players are looked after very well and I always had a great relationship with the members of the county board," he said.

Have a spare ticket for the Interpol gig in the Olympia tonight, doors 7.30, standing ticket, can meet in town beforehand or send on ticket by email, face value is €50 but for a gaaboardie you can have it for €40, PM me if interested.

Croí.

f**k. I was afraid to open this as I thought it was one of Muppet/Seafoids the country is fucked threads.

For all those who prefer to ignore reailty if it is bad news:

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

Its not that I ignore bad news,I look at it as news I can do f**k all about. I had a pretty shit year but came out the far side of it, and it was something I could do something about. I have two lovely kids and a wife that dont care much for all the doom and gloom. It will drag you down if you let it. Dont get me wrong, I am not burying my head in the sand, we have had to make big financial changes at home but its only money, and you cant bring it with you. I try and stay as posiitive as I can. As for FF the first one that calls to my house will be told to f**k off.

I guarantee gerry won't look in here 

NHL Round 1

Sat Feb 12th:

Div 1: Tipperary v Kilkenny, 7.30pm

Sun Feb 13th (2.30):

Div 1: Galway v Wexford, Cork v Offaly, Waterford v Dublin.
Div 2 (Rd 1): Westmeath v Laois, Down v Carlow, Kerry v Antrim, Clare v Limerick.
Div 3A (Rd 1) (2.30): Wicklow v Kildare, Derry v Armagh, London v Meath.
Div 3B (Rd 1) (2.30): Fingal v Monaghan, Louth v Sligo, Mayo v Roscommon, Donegal Bye.
Div 4 (Rd 1) (2.30): Longford v South Down, Cavan v Fermanagh, Tyrone V Leitrim

Sat Feb 19:

Div 1 (Rd 2) (5.45): Dublin v Tipperary.

Sun 20 Feb:

Div 1 (Rd 2) (2.30) Offaly v Galway, Kilkenny v Cork, Wexford v Waterford
Div 2 (Rd 2) (2.30) Laois v Carlow, Antrim v Clare, Kerry v Down, Limerick v Westmeath
Div 3A (Rd 2) (2.30): Meath v Wicklow, Armagh v London, Kildare v Derry
Div 3B (Rd 2) (2.30): Donegal v Roscommon, Louth v Monaghan, Mayo v Fingal, Sligo Bye
Div 4 (Rd 2) (2.30): South Down v Tyrone, Leitrim v Cavan, Fermanagh v Longford.

Sat 5 March:

Div 1 (Rd 3): Tipperary v Waterford

Sun 6 March:

Div 1 (Rd 3) (2.30): Cork v Galway, Offaly v Dublin, Kilkenny v Wexford
Div 2 (Rd 3) (2.30): Laois v Antrim, Westmeath v Clare, Down v Limerick, Carlow v Kerry
Div 3A (Rd 3) (2.30): Armagh v Kildare, Derry v Meath, London v Wicklow
Div 3B (Rd 3) (2.30): Monaghan v Donegal, Fingal v Louth, Roscommon v Sligo, Mayo Bye
Div 4 (Rd 3) (2.30): Cavan v Tyrone, Leitrim v Longford, Fermanagh v South Down

Sun 13 March:

Div 1 (Rd 4) (2.30): Galway v Kilkenny, Tipperary v Offaly, Waterford v Cork, Wexford v Dublin
Div 2 (Rd 4) (2.30): Antrim v Carlow, Kerry v Westmeath, Clare v Down
Div 3A (Rd 4) (2.30): Wicklow v Derry, Meath v Armagh, Kildare v London
Div 3B (Rd 4) (2.30): Donegal v Fingal, Sligo v Monaghan, Louth v Mayo, Roscommon Bye
Div 4 (Rd 4) (2.30): South Down v Leitrim, Longford v Cavan, Tyrone v Fermanagh.

Sun March 27:

Div 1 (Rd 5) (2.30): Cork v Tipperary, Dublin v Galway, Offaly v Wexford, Kilkenny v Waterford
Div 2 (Rd 5) (2.30): Westmeath v Antrim, Down v Laois, Carlow v Limerick, Clare v Kerry
Div 3A (Rd 5) (2.30): Derry v London, Armagh v Wicklow, Kildare v Meath
Div 3B (Rd 5) 2:30: Monaghan v Roscommon, Fingal v Sligo, Mayo v Donegal, Louth Bye
Div 4 (Rd 5) 2.30: Leitrim v Fermanagh, Cavan v South Down, Tyrone v Longford

Sat April 2:

Div 2 (Rd 6) (7.30): Laois v Clare

Sun April 3:

Div 1 (Rd 6) (2.30): Galway v Tipperary, Offaly v Waterford, Wexford v Cork, Dublin v Kilkenny
Div 2 (Rd 6)(2.30): Down v Antrim, Carlow v Westmeath, Limerick v Kerry
Div 3B (Rd 6) (2.30): Donegal v Louth, Sligo v Mayo, Roscommon v Fingal, Monaghan Bye

Sun April 10:

Div 3B (Rd 7) (2.30): Monaghan v Mayo, Sligo v Donegal, Roscommon v Louth, Fingal Bye

Sun April 17:

Div 1 (Rd 7) (2.30): Cork v Dublin, Tipperary v Wexford, Waterford v Galway, Kilkenny v Offaly
Div 2 (Rd 7) (2.30): Westmeath v Down, Antrim v Limerick, Kerry v Laois, Clare v Carlow.

Whet your appetite for next year & get them weekends in your diarys before the woman suggests something them weekends...

Sat Feb 5th:
Div 1 (Rd 1): Armagh v Dublin;
Div 2 (Rd 1), Laois v Meath, Donegal v Sligo

Sunday Feb 6 (2.30):
Div 1 (Rd 1): Kerry v Cork, Monaghan v Galway, Mayo v Down.
Div 2 (Rd 1): Antrim v Kildare, Derry v Tyrone.
Div 3 (Rd 1): Offaly v Cavan, Wexford v Waterford, Louth v Westmeath, Tipperary v Limerick.
Div 4 (Rd 1): London v Kilkenny, Leitrim v Clare, Longford v Roscommon, Carlow v Wicklow, Fermanagh Bye.

Sun Feb 13th (2.30):

Div 4 (Rd 2): London v Roscommon, Clare v Kilkenny, Leitrim v Wicklow, Carlow v Fermanagh, Longford Bye.

Sat Feb 19:

Div 1 (Rd 2) (7.30): Dublin v Cork.
Div 2 (Rd 2) (7.30): Tyrone v Donegal.
Div 4 (Rd 3) (7.30): Fermanagh v Longford.

Sun 20 Feb:

Div 1 (Rd 2) (2.30): Mayo v Kerry, Down v Galway, Armagh v Monaghan
Div 2 (Rd 2) (2.30): Kildare v Derry, Meath v Sligo, Laois v Antrim
Div 3 (Rd 2) (2.30): Waterford v Limerick, Westmeath v Cavan, Offaly v Wexford, Louth v Tipperary
Div 4 (Rd 3) (2.30): Kilkenny v Leitrim, Roscommon v Carlow, Wicklow v London, Clare Bye

Sat 26 Feb:

Div 1 (Rd 3) (7.30): Down v Armagh, Dublin v Kerry.
Div 2 (Rd 3) (7.30): Antrim v Meath
Div 3 (Rd 3) (7.30): Limerick v Offaly

Sun 27 Feb:
Div 1 (Rd 3) (2.30): Cork v Monaghan, Galway v Mayo.
Div 2 (Rd 3) (2.30): Sligo v Tyrone, Donegal v Kildare, Derry v Laois
Div 3 (Rd 3) (2.30): Wexford v Louth, Cavan v Waterford, Tipperary v Westmeath
Div 4 (Rd 4) (2.30): Fermanagh v Wicklow, London v Leitrim, Longford v Kilkenny, Carlow v Clare, Roscommon Bye

Sat 12 March:

Div 1 (Rd 4) (7.30): Kerry v Galway
Div 2 (Rd 4) (7.30): Tyrone v Antrim
Div 2 (Rd 4) (7.30): Limerick v Laois

Sun 13 March:

Div 1 (Rd 4) (2.30): Mayo v Armagh, Cork v Down, Monaghan v Dublin.
Div 2 (Rd 4) (2.30): Meath v Donegal, Kildare v Laois, Sligo v Derry.
Div 3 (Rd 4) (2.30): Louth v Offaly, Waterford v Tipperary, Limerick v Cavan, Westmeath v Wexford
Div 4 (Rd 5) (2.30): Wicklow v Longford, Roscommon v Fermanagh, Kilkenny v Carlow, Clare v London, Leitrim Bye

Sat March 19:

Div 1 (Rd 5) (7.30): Down v Monaghan
Div 2 (Rd 5) (7.30): Derry v Donegal, Laois v Tyrone

Sun March 20:
Div 1 (Rd 5) (2.30): Galway v Cork, Armagh v Kerry, Dublin v Mayo
Div 2 (Rd 5) (2.30): Kildare v Meath, Antrim v Sligo
Div 3 (Rd 5) (2.30): Louth v Limerick, Westmeath v Waterford, Offaly v Tipperary, Wexford v Cavan
Div 4 (Rd 6) (2.30): Clare v Roscommon, Leitrim v Fermanagh, London v Longford, Kilkenny v Wicklow, Carlow Bye

Sun March 27:
Div 4 (Rd 7) (2.30): Wicklow v Roscommon, Leitrim v Carlow, Clare v Longford, Kilkenny v Fermanagh, London Bye

Sat April 2:

Div 1 (Rd 6) 7.30: Dublin v Down
Div 3 (Rd 6) (7.30): Cavan v Louth

Sun April 3:

Div 1 (Rd 6) (2.30): Monaghan v Kerry, Mayo v Cork, Armagh v Galway
Div 2 (Rd 6) (2.30): Donegal v Antrim, Tyrone v Kildare, Derry v Meath, Sligo v Laois
Div 3 (Rd 6) (2.30): Limerick v Westmeath, Waterford v Offaly, Tipperary v Wexford
Div 4 (Rd (2.30): Longford v Leitrim, Roscommon v Kilkenny, Carlow v London, Fermanagh v Clare, Wicklow Bye

Sun April 10:

Div 1 (Rd 7) (2.30): Monaghan v Mayo, Kerry v Down, Galway v Dublin, Cork v Armagh
Div 2 (Rd 7) (2.30): Antrim v Derry, Laois v Donegal, Kildare v Sligo, Meath v Tyrone
Div 3 (Rd 7) (2.30): Westmeath v Offaly, Waterford v Louth, Limerick v Wexford, Cavan v Tipperary
Div 4 (Rd 9) (2.30): Roscommon v Leitrim, Wicklow v Clare, Longford v Carlow, Fermanagh v London, Kilkenny Bye

Witnessed a very determined Westmeath performance in Navan this evening, they played with a passion not seen since Qualters days. The winning of the game was in the start, they hit 2-7 to no score in the first 15 minutes and they kept that 13 point margin more or less until the end of the game. Kildare did close it down to 8 in the second half but we nipped the threatened comeback with a heartbreaker of a goal. Best for Westmeath were Joe Clarke in the middle, Mitchell, McCormack and Whelan in the backs, and Murtagh upfront. Special mention to Burke in the goals, the referee could have awarded another 2 penalties on top of the 2 he charitably gave and Burke was never gonna be beaten. Slightly worried that we never pushed on after that great opening as you knew once Kildare got to the santuary of the dressing room at half time that they were going to come out reorganised. As expected it's Kerry in the final and while it's nice to be back there we really owe them one after beating we took off them earlier in the campaign. Glad to see the final is in Croke Park, the lads deserve a run out there after that display...

G Connaughton
F Boyle, D O'Donoghue, J Gaffey
M Ennis, K Martin, D Harte
D Duffy, P Bannon
J Smyth, C Lynam, A Gaughan
P Greville, M Flanagan, D Glennon

No Dolan    I really hope that's a dummy team from Flanagan. 1 to 5 pick themselves, Kieran Martin is a big call at center back, he did well there for the U21s but it's a big ask for a young lad who started out life as a forward, he'll need to have the motor running to keep up with Hannon who'll tear around the park all day. I wouldn't have played Doran Harte as a wing back either, he's much more effective as a wing forward dropping back to provide some cover and sweep up the breaking ball.

Major reservations in midfield, we don't have many other options here to be fair but I think Gary Flanagan did enough during the league to justify a start. Duffy and Bannon will be doing very well to break even with Stafford and JP Dalton. I expect to see Smyth and Lynam swapping positions at the start and would rather see Lynam in the corner but he'll do a job out there. Massive call with Gaughan, haven't a clue what Flanagan is up to here. Inside line can do well if they get the ball, expect a big performance from Glennon, u never know what you're gonna get from Flanagan and Greville has a good left boot on him.

If the right team had took to the park with the right mentality I would have been very confident we would have seen off Mickla. However not with that team, I hope Flanagan has some hidden football knowledge that he didn't display under O'Flaherta, I fear the worst. It'd be hard to stomach seeing Micko the Mercenary get the curse of the maroon jersey off his back at 5 o'clock on Sunday...

Edit: The Mickla team is...

M Travers
S Kelly, D O hAnnaidh, A Byrne
C Hyland, B McGrath, D Hayden
J Stafford, JP Dalton
L Glynn, T Hannon, N Mernagh
P Dalton, S Furlong, P Earls

No thread on this as far as I could see, does anyone know what time the games start on Saturday??? God forbid they'd be on gaa.ie or the leinster website... 

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2010/pc/pod-v-070310-07m49s-anthonyrainbow.mp3

Good to see the two lads having a laugh about previous "encounters", both got a few digs in at the other, worth a listen...

Right lads, what can you tell me about him? Was involved with Monaghan in 2007, managed the Slashers & Offaly back in the day and trained the Irish International Rules Team in the 90s. According to hoganstand he was only 26 when he got the Slashers to a Leinster semi-final appearance against Dublin in 1988. They where three points up at half-time and then they seemed to get a bad dose of the shits as they lost by 18 in the end...

It certainly is a surprise announcement, I'm not sure it's the one we needed although all the other names mentioned for the post wouldn't fill you with confidence either. From what I've read about him he seems like a good trainer, a good number 2 but will he be able to cut it on the sideline? It's a massive gamble by the county board IMO and they've given him three years to boot. Hopefully he does a Jason Ryan on it in his first year anyway...

See Aldi have a special on Football & Hurling Gear at the minute, looks like stuff for a kick/puck around. The hurls don't look like ash anyway according to one of the lads, might make good presents for the sons/daughters/nephews/nieces to get them interested... http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/offers_week26thursday09.htm?WT.z_src=main

Heading to South America for nearly 7 weeks next January, probably gonna head to Lima & do Machu Picchu first & take it from there. Will prob try to take in Buenos Aires & fly back from Rio but what are the other sites to visit & what is to be avoided at all costs, bearing in mind we only have 7 weeks in total?

Three debutants for Westmeath

Keith Scally, Conor Lynam and Willie Murtagh will make their Leinster SFC debuts for Westmeath against Wicklow at O'Connor Park on Sunday.

By Randal Scally

Martin Flanagan and Fergal Wilson will also make their first appearances since last July's narrow All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone, while Donal O'Donoghue returns as well after missing most of the National League.

But Dessie Dolan and Michael Ennis aren't included in Tomas O Flatharta's starting XV after failing to recover im time from knee and Achilles tendon injuries.

Tyrrellspass clubman Scally and St. Loman's teenager Lynam will make their championship bows at right half forward and left corner forward respectively, while Ballynacargy's Murtagh - who saw action as a sub in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers - has been given the nod to start ahead of Damien Healy at left half back. Healy only recently returned from a stint abroad, and his lack of match practice means he has to be content with a place on the subs bench.

Martin Flanagan renews his midfield partnership with David Duffy after recovering from ankle surgery, while Fergal Wilson has also put his injuries problems behind him to line out alongside Denis Glennon and debutant Lynam in the full forward line. Lynam's inclusion comes as something as a surprise given that fellow under 21s Thomas McDaniel and John Connellan were believed to be ahead of him in the pecking order in the event of Dessie Dolan not been passed fit.

Garrycastle's Doran Harte has been selected at left half forward, but is expected to play as an extra defender just as he did against Dublin and Tyrone last year.

Westmeath (SF v Wicklow): G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane (captain); D O'Donoghue, D Heavin, W Murtagh; M Flanagan, D Duffy; K Scally, J Smyth, D Harte; F Wilson, D Glennon, C Lynam.


I wonder is that the team or is Tomás giving Dessie & Natchie every possible opportunity to prove their fitness? Light enough team & hopefully the lads on the bench will be fit enough to come on if needed. Donal O'D hasn't played in the half backs in years for us & Murtagh wasn't given much opportunity there is the league either. Harte hasn't played in the "forwards" since last year & Scally didn't exactly play every league game. I think this is a massive gamble by Tomás and maybe he's no choice here but it certainly evens the field & nullifies any percieved advantage we were supposed to have. The only thing we have left in our favour is that Micko hates the sight of the Maroon jersey, hopefully that is still intact Sunday evening. O'Connor Park has been decent to us recently too. There's a fine view from the new stand, hope they're ready with the season tickets, no word on the aul email yet...

Anyways I hope Heavin picks up Glynn & sticks to him all game. Much like Redmond Barry & Wexford, if u shut Glynn down you'll go a long way to helping your chances of winning. Full back line looks tight enough, can't give away frees inside the 45 as that's what killed the Slashers.

Will be travelling somewhere between hope & expectation.

Folks,

If you're one of those people like myself who bury the head when walking past those charity clipboarders on the street, here's your chance to ease your conscience. Growing a "Mo" for Movember, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, check out all the info here http://ie.movember.com/ Bit late to the game, got a week's growth behind me so will keep at it for the next three weeks anyway and longer if the need to itch disappears... You can donate online or by sending a cheque to the ICS so if your interested PM me. You could look at it as your subscription for abusing this corner of the interweb all year round  Will bump this up every couple of days so apologies in advance and will get back to yous in early December to let yous know how well the gaaboard did.

Croí.

31.01.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 1

Roinn I
Páirc an   TBC      Baile Átha Cliath    v    Tír Eoghain
Chrócaigh


01.02.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 1

Roinn I
2.30pm   Maigh Eo       v    Doire
2.30pm    Iar Mhí       v    Gaillimh
2.30pm    Ciarraí          v    Dún na nGall

Roinn II
2.30pm    Loch Garman    v   Ard Mhacha
2.30pm    Fear Manach    v    Muineachán
2.30pm    Corcaigh       v    An Mhí
2.30pm    Laois          v    Cill Dara

Roinn III
2.30pm    Ros Comáin       v    Uíbh Fhailí
2.30pm    Longfort       v    An Cabhán
2.30pm    An Lú          v    Luimneach
2.30pm    Tiobraid Árann    v    An Dún

Roinn IV
2.30pm    Sligeach       v    Cill Chainnigh
2.30pm    Ceatharlach       v    An Clár
2.30pm    Londain       v    Liatroim
2.30pm    Aontroim       v    Cill Mhantáin
Port Láirge       BYE


07.02.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 2

Roinn IV
2.30pm    Cill Mhantáin    v    Port Láirge
2.30pm    Liatroim       v    Ceatharlach
2.30pm    An Clár      v    Sligeach
2.30pm    Cill Chainnigh    v    Aontroim
Londain      BYE


14.02.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 2
7.30pm   Doire          v    Iar Mhí
7.30pm    Tír Eoghain       v   Ciarraí
7.30pm    Dún na nGall    v    Maigh Eo

Roinn II
7.30pm    Ard Mhacha       v    Laois
7.30pm    An Mhí       v    Fear Manach

Roinn III
7.30pm    An Cabhán       v    Tiobraid Árann
7.30pm    An Dún      v    An Lú
Round 3
Roinn IV
7.30pm    Aontroim       v    An Clár


15.02.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 2

Roinn I
2.30pm    Gaillimh       v    Baile Átha Cliath

Roinn II
2.30pm    Cill Dara      v    Corcaigh
2.30pm    Muineachán       v    Loch Garman

Roinn III
2.30pm    Luimneach       v    Ros Comáin
2.30pm    Uíbh Fhailí       v    Longfort
Round 3
Roinn IV
2.30pm    Ceatharlach       v    Londain
2.30pm    Sligeach       v    Liatroim
2.30pm    Port Láirge       v    Cill Chainnigh
      Cill Mhantáin       BYE


07.03.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 3
Roinn I
7.30pm   Doire         v   Ciarraí
7.30pm   Tír Eoghain       v    Gaillimh
7.30pm   Dún na nGall    v    Baile Átha Cliath

Roinn II
7.30pm   An Mhí       v    Laois
7.30pm   Corcaigh      v    Fear Manach
7.30pm   Ard Mhacha       v    Muineachán

Roinn III
7.30pm   An Dún       v    An Cabhán


08.03.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 3

Roinn I
2.30pm   Maigh Eo       v   Iar Mhí

Roinn II
2.30pm   Cill Dara      v    Loch Garman

Roinn III
2.30pm   Uíbh Fhailí       v    An Lú
2.30pm   Luimneach       v    Tiobraid Árann
2.30pm   Ros Comáin       v    Longfort

Round 4
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Cill Chainnigh   v    Cill Mhantáin
2.30pm   An Clár       v    Port Láirge
2.30pm   Londain      v    Sligeach
2.30pm   Liatroim       v    Aontroim
Ceatharlach       BYE


14.03.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 4

Roinn I
7.30pm   Ciarraí       v    Maigh Eo
7.30pm   Baile Átha Cliath   v   Doire

Roinn II
7.30pm   Laois          v    Corcaigh

Roinn III
7.30pm   An Cabhán      v    Luimneach


15.03.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 4

Roinn I
2.30pm   Gaillimh       v    Dún na nGall
2.30pm   Iar Mhí       v    Tír Eoghain

Roinn II
2.30pm   Fear Manach    v    Ard Mhacha
2.30pm   Muineachán       v    Cill Dara
2.30pm   Loch Garman    v    An Mhí

Roinn III
2.30pm   Tiobraid Árann   v    Uíbh Fhailí
2.30pm   An Lú          v    Ros Comáin
2.30pm   Longfort       v    An Dún

Round 5
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Londain       v    Port Láirge
2.30pm   Liatroim       v    Cill Mhantáin
2.30pm   An Clár       v    Cill Chainnigh
2.30pm   Ceatharlach       v    Aontroim
Sligeach       BYE


21.03.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 5

Roinn I
7.30pm   Doire          v    Gaillimh
7.30pm   Dún na nGall    v    Tír Eoghain
7.30pm   Ciarraí       v   Iar Mhí

Roinn II
7.30pm   An Mhí       v   Muineachán
7.30pm   Laois          v    Fear Manach
7.30pm   Corcaigh       v    Loch Garman

Round 6
Roinn IV
7.30pm   Aontroim       v    Londain


22.03.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 5

Roinn I
2.30pm   Maigh Eo       v    Baile Átha Cliath

Roinn II
2.30pm   Cill Dara       v    Ard Mhacha

Roinn III
2.30pm   Uíbh Fhailí       v    An Cabhán
2.30pm   An Lú         v    Longfort
2.30pm   Ros Comáin      v    Tiobraid Árann
2.30pm   Luimneach       v    An Dún

Round 6
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Cill Mhantáin    v    An Clár
2.30pm   Port Láirge       v    Liatroim
2.30pm   Sligeach      v    Ceatharlach
Cill Chainnigh    BYE


28.03.2009 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 6
Roinn I
7.30pm   Baile Átha Cliath   v   Ciarraí
7.30pm   Tír Eoghain       v    Doire
Roinn II
7.30pm   Ard Mhacha       v    An Mhí

Roinn III
2.30pm   Tiobraid Árann    v    An Lú
7.30pm   An Dún       v    Uíbh Fhailí
Round 7
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Port Láirge       v    Ceatharlach
7.30pm   Aontroim       v    Sligeach


29.03.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 6

Roinn I
2.30pm   Gaillimh       v    Maigh Eo
2.30pm   Iar Mhí       v    Dún na nGall

Roinn II
2.30pm   Loch Garman    v    Laois
2.30pm   Fear Manach    v    Cill Dara
2.30pm   Muineachán       v    Corcaigh

Roinn III
2.30pm   Longfort      v    Luimneach
2.30pm   An Cabhán       v    Ros Comáin

Round 7
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Cill Mhantáin    v    Londain
2.30pm   Cill Chainnigh    v    Liatroim
An Clár       BYE


12.04.2009 (Sun)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 7

Roinn I [Final Round]
2.30pm   Baile Átha Cliath    v    Iar Mhí
2.30pm   Ciarraí       v    Gaillimh
2.30pm   Maigh Eo       v    Tír Eoghain
2.30pm   Doire         v    Dún na nGall

Roinn II [Final Round]
2.30pm   Loch Garman    v    Fear Manach
2.30pm   Laois          v    Muineachán
2.30pm   An Mhí       v    Cill Dara
2.30pm   Corcaigh       v    Ard Mhacha

Roinn III [Final Round]
2.30pm   Ros Comáin      v    An Dún
2.30pm   An Lú          v    An Cabhán
2.30pm   Tiobraid Árann    v    Longfort
2.30pm   Uíbh Fhailí       v    Luimneach

Round 8
Roinn IV
2.30pm   Liatroim       v    An Clár
2.30pm   Ceatharlach       v    Cill Mhantáin
2.30pm   Londain       v    Cill Chainnigh
2.30pm   Sligeach       v    Port Láirge
Aontroim       BYE


18.04.2008 (Sat)
Allianz GAA Football National League
Round 9

Roinn IV [Final Round]
2.30pm   An Clár       v    Londain
2.30pm   Port Láirge       v    Aontroim
2.30pm   Cill Chainnigh   v    Ceatharlach
2.30pm   Cill Mhantáin    v    Sligeach
Liatroim       BYE

Any of our Galway or Connaught based posters able to tell me about the layout of the grounds in Athenry? Basically just wondering if it's possible to drive a car in to watch a game from the sideline or failing that what the disabled facilities are like?

Did the Croke Park tour yesterday, great to see the workings of the stadium. Didn't have near enough time for the Museum but did pop into the Park Live firing range. Personal best speed was 121kph, anyone able to top that??? Could be the longest bored at work thread yet... 

The nominees for the 2008 Opel GPA awards for hurling have been announced. A total of 45 players have been named on the shortlist for the Team of the Year, with three players also nominated for the Player of the Year award.

The shortlist for the Opel Gaelic Team of the Year includes 45 players - three players for each position. The shortlist contains players from nine counties including; Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Offaly, Wexford, Dublin and Galway.

The Opel Gaelic Team of the Year shortlist reflects the most successful counties in this year's championship with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny receiving a total of 13 nominations. All Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary received nine nominations while losing All-Ireland finalists Waterford received four. Clare received six nominations, Cork five and Offaly three. Wexford and Dublin both received two nominations each with Galway's Joe Canning the sole Tribesman to be nominated for an award.

The three nominees for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year as chosen by the Hurling Selection Committee are: Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny), Shane McGrath (Tipperary) and Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny).

The shortlists were drawn up by a selection committee headed up by Chairman Donal O'Grady. The winners will be selected by GPA members, all of whom will be issued with voting cards.

Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Hurling Selection Committee, Donal O'Grady said, "These type of awards are entirely subjective and don't always attract universal approval but the over-riding aim is to get the best 15 players for the 15 individual positions. Those of us on the committee feel that objective can be achieved from the 45 players we have chosen for the nominations."


The shortlist in full for the 2008 Opel Gaelic team of the Year consists of:

1. Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Clinton Hennessy (Waterford), PJ Ryan (Kilkenny)

2. Shane O'Neill (Cork), Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny), Pat Vaughan (Clare)

3. Paul Curran (Tipperary), Noel Hickey (Kilkenny), David Kenny (Offaly)

4. Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny), Brian Murphy (Cork), Conor O'Brien (Tipperary)

5. Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny), Michael Jacob (Wexford), Tony Browne (Waterford)

6. Conor O'Mahony (Tipperary), Brian Hogan (Kilkenny), Ronan Fallon (Dublin)

7. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny), Sean Og hAilpin (Cork), Shane Maher (Tipperary)

8. & 9. Shane McGrath (Tipperary), Derek Lyng (Kilkenny), Tom Kenny (Cork),
James Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny), Brian O'Connell (Clare), Colin Lynch (Clare)

10. Ben O'Connor (Cork), Niall Gilligan (Clare), Brian Carroll (Offaly)

11. Seamus Callinan (Tipperary), Diarmuid McMahon (Clare), Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)

12. Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Jonathan Clancy (Clare), Stephen Doyle (Wexford)

13. Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny), Eoin Kelly (Tipperary), David O'Callaghan (Dublin)

14. Eoin Kelly (Waterford), Lar Corbett (Tipperary), Joe Bergin (Offaly)

15. John Mullane (Waterford), Aidan Fogarty (Kilkenny), Joe Canning (Galway)

Nominees for Christy Ring Cup player of the year: Keith Higgins (Mayo), Sean Kavanagh (Carlow), Brendan Murtagh (Westmeath)

Nominees for Nicky Rackard Cup player of the year: Keith Raymond (Sligo) and Diarmuid Murphy (Louth)

Mullingar Shamrocks' Simon Quinn is a surprise inclusion in the Westmeath team for their All-Ireland football qualifier against Tipperary in Ardfinnan.

Quinn, who has never played minor or under 21 football for his county, makes his first championship start at wing forward in place of the injured Fergal Wilson. His only previous appearance for the senior side was in a challenge match against Leitrim nearly two months ago.

A second change sees Athlone's Paul Bannon coming in at midfield for the injured David Duffy. Bannon's younger brother Dermot has also recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained against Dublin to start at top of the left.

Francis Boyle has been passed fit to take his place at right corner back, while Martin Flanagan is expected to see some action from the bench as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Westmeath (SF v Tipperary): G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; D O'Donoghue, P Bannon; S Quinn, J Smyth, D Harte; D Dolan, Denis Glennon, D Bannon.

Don't think there's many in Westmeath who would have been able to predict that team. 1 - 8 pick themselves as do 11 - 15, will be interesting to see what Quinn offers. O'Flaherta has thrown unknows/young lads into the mix before and I assume it's to concentrate the others minds on the job in hand. Bannon has never really let us down in midfield but we're now lacking height there so the 2 lads will have to break everything. Hopefully Flan and Duffy aren't too far away as we'll need them in the coming weeks if we can get out of Ardfinnan intact. Anyone know how far out the Clonmel Road the ground is??? Stating the obvious here but with Willo out as well we need someone apart from Dessie and Denis to start kicking scores, pressure on Dermot Bannon and Smyth. Would like to see David Glennon being given a half if Bannon isn't scoring or if the game is comfortable, he needs decent game time to see if he can cut it at this level. All in all I think we will win this one but not by as much as the spread suggests...