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michael magill ‏@magill_michael (Ex-Antrim footballer on Twitter) 2hours ago
"Hear the List of gaaboard users going around.few red faces no doubt lol."

Thought this deserved a thread of his own.
All the best in retirement to Marty McGrath, on his day one of Fermanagh's finest ever players and one of the best in the country.
He gave his all for the county, quite often playing through the pain barrier, and his commitment could never be questioned.
He went through an awful lot in his 14 years at inter-county level on and off pitch and gave Fermanagh fans their greatest ever days.
He reached the All-Ireland quarter-final in 2003, the All-Ireland semi-final and replay in 20-04 and an Ulster final and replay in 2008.
He won an All-Star in 2004 (one of three Fermanagh players ever to win one with Peter McGinnity and Barry Owens) and was voted Ulster Player of the Year twice in 2004 and 2008. He also represented Ireland on International Rules duty.
In 2006 he underwent two heart procedures inside six months to correct a heart defect. In 2007 he fractured his skull after being hit on the head with the bucket of a JCB digger.
In 2008 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and actually put treatment on hold due to Fermanagh's run to the Ulster final that year.
Last year his brother-in-law Brian Og Maguire was killed in a workplace accident and Marty soldiered on deciding to give it his all for one more year after what had happened but there was no fairytale ending.
The man certainly deserves his rest, and he deserves to be remembered as a Fermanagh legend.

Sky News breaking story
Tiger Woods has been seriously injured in a car accident outside his home. Reportedly hit a fire hydrant and a tree at low speed but air bags didn't deploy.

US airways plane from New York to North Carolina has crashed into the Hudson River.
195 passengers on board.

Travelling over to Manchester in a few weeks for a game. I'm sure there's plenty on here who have done so, any recommendations on where to stay in or near city centre. Going on Friday & Saturday nights for game on Saturday but not keen on staying out near Old Trafford. Doesn't have to be anywhere fancy, just a bunch of fellas on a drinking weekend more than anything. Even a decent hostel might do.

Need a copy of this years All-Ireland minor final, the replay game if anyone could help me get my hands on it.
Not sure where to go looking but the Tyronies must know.
Thanks in advance.

Dunlop seriously ill after crash

Motorcyclist Robert Dunlop is seriously ill after suffering severe chest injuries in a crash in Thursday's practice session at the North West 200.
Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion in the accident, but is said to be stable in hospital.
The accident happened in the 250cc qualifying as the riders approached the Mathers Cross Section of the course.
Dunlop's brother Joey was killed in a racing accident in Estonia in 2000.
The riders were travelling at speeds of about 160 miles per hour when the accident happened.
Dunlop's bike appeared to seize and he went over the handlebars.
Burns was following behind and was unable to avoid hitting the Ballymoney rider.
Robert Dunlop sustained serious injuries in a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1994 before later returning to action.


I know the debate comes up every year, but is this sport worth all this?
The latest in the area suggests he has serious head injuries also.

Planning a weekend away in the summer. What's the story with local hotels and pubs etc here. Do they try to avoid the stag groups or would a hostel be the best bet? Probably about 25 of a crowd. Any local activities (go karting etc) advisable during the day? Looking online the place seems to be bunged with them.

Sky Sports News just reporting Newcastle have sacked Sam Allardyce. Never liked the man, Shearer anyone?

Cork Echo saying this evening that Morgan has not been allowed to choose his own selectors and has pulled out of the Cork job. Would be the end of quite an era!

Given some of the stuff warranting a new thread in the last few days I though this deserved it too.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to retire following his long battle with a knee injury .
True United legend, and one of the most likeable players to have played in England, brilliant finisher and gave Man Utd their finest hour in living memory in Barcelona, sad news and hope they can keep him on at the club in some capacity

From BBC

Brian McIver is due to meet Donegal players on Tuesday as speculation mounts that he could be about to make a dramatic return as county manager.
McIver stepped down as team boss in July after Donegal crashed to Monaghan in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Ending his two years in charge, Tyrone man McIver insisted he would not return to county management.
However, according to reports, McIver is considering the county board's offer to come back for another year.
This year McIver guided Donegal to the National League title but they lost to Tyrone in the Ulster semi-finals.

Strange situation here, Donegal realise the errors of their ways and repent??

I see Paddy McConigly (sp) injured himself as he was shot in the face paintballing at the weekend and missis the qualifier game with Monaghan.
Also rumours Beano McDonald is injured for the weekend after being kicked by a horse? unsure of that though
Bound to be loads of other crazy injury stories in the GAA, any funny tales out there

Personal stupid moment, injured my leg for two months sliding across a dancefloor on my knees, and I don't remember it

From BBC, typical crap, I'm sure this is less than average for any weekend or public holiday

City hotels enjoy Twelfth surge

Belfast hotels enjoyed increased occupancy rates of at least 15% over the 12th period, the city's visitor and convention centre has estimated.
The centre's spokeswoman, Lisa McMurray, said that 75% of rooms across Belfast were full.
Several other hotels in the city were full and were forced to turn down bookings.
Ms McMurray added that, over the last four years, hoteliers had been treating the Twelfth "as business as usual."
"In fact there's probably more than a 15% increase from last year as a small number of hotels were actually closed then," she said.
The number of tourists making enquiries at the Belfast Visitor and Convention Centre over the 12th was also up by approximately 20% compared to last year.

Spanish media reporting Thierry Henry has signed a four year deal with Barcelona! Breaking news on Sky

What a dickhead, pure publicity stunt I'd say, maybe that's giving him credit for being clever enough to think of that

Higgins 'hits ref' at fund-raiser

Two-time world snooker champion Alex Higgins attacked a referee at a charity match in County Durham on Monday night, according to a local press report.
The exhibition fund-raiser pitted Higgins, 58, against Jimmy White.
But proceedings ended in chaos when referee Terry Riley refused to carry on after he was punched in the stomach.
Higgins snapped when Riley called a foul and had to be restrained by fans, although Durham Police later said no reports of assault had been received.
Class one international referee Riley told the Northern Echo newspaper: "It was a punch and officials are not there to be punched.
"He just came at me and punched me in the stomach - that was when I pushed him away."
But Higgins told reporters on Tuesday that the row had been "blown out of all proportion".
The snooker legend appeared at a signing in a Newcastle bookshop wearing his trademark Fedora hat, jeans, a woolly jumper and a silk scarf.
"We were both out of order," added Higgins.
Reporters were then thrown out of the shop and the promoter of last night's exhibition match refused to comment.
Higgins was signing 'From The Eye of the Hurricane' - his new autobiography.
Monday's charity match was organised to raise money for local players and the event's promoter has since told BBC Radio Five Live that Higgins only brushed against Riley and did not punch him.
In 1986, the Belfast-born Higgins earned a year-long ban for head-butting a match official, and he has had numerous scrapes with the snooker authorities in his long career. He also continues to battle throat cancer.

(couldn't find the old thread)
Brilliant TV on Sky News, Paris Hilton, seen cuffed and crying, has been ordered back to jail to serve her entire sentence!
Disgraceful that she got out at all for a few hours

One rider and two spectators have been killed at the Isle of Man TT today.
It's a sport I have very little knowledge of but how can it continue as a spectator sport with tragedies like this happening

Right someone had to start it, I've heard they're all women, is that right??
Bound to be a few stunners in there, can't even see it here

Lot of comings and goings in the Premiership and beyond at the minute so I thought I'd start this to keep up to date with transfer talk etc especially across Europe where we don't hear much of.
Houllier stepped down as Lyon boss today so it looks like he's coming back to England, City probably