Messages

My pick for Saturday, still have doubts about the half-back line.

1. Murphy

2. McGill
3. Fay
4. O'Conner

5. King
6. Meade
7. Harrington

8. M Ward
9. Crawford

10. C Ward
11. Farrell
12. O'Rourke

13. Bray
14. Sheridan
15. Geraghty

Thought the 1st half was a bit too scrappy, but the 2nd was a good contest. Joyce is quite the player, he dug Galway out of it with crucial scores. Mattie Clancy played well too making tough runs at the Mayo defense. Mayo should be kicking themselves though. Some of their wides were shocking.

The ref didnt help matters, some of the frees he gave were for nothing especially one to Bradshaw(?) in the corner which lead to a crucial Galway point. I'm just glad he'll never ref one of our games.  

What a performance by Tipp. Playing great hurling this year. Was really impressed by them yesterday. While Clare had the fight but just didnt have the forwards to win the game. too many wides that hurt them.

I also see that Australian golfer Stuart Appleby was in the crowd yesterday,

Tipperary v Westmeath - I'd expect Westmeath to win comfortably

Monaghan v Derry - Tough battle but I reckon Derry will come through in the end

Donegal v Roscommon - Donegal will have too much for the Rossies

Limerick v Meath - We can win this but I wont make a prediction

Longford v Laois - Laois in a tough one

Kildare v Cavan - Cavan should come through although its been a long time since Kildare played a competitive game its hard to call it.

Offaly v Down - Down should win this but Offaly will make it tough for them

Louth v Tyrone - Louth, just so I can say 'I told you so', but seriously, its hard to know what to expect from either of these teams

Brett! Stay retired please!

i saw that as well, i was thinkin, for f**k sake, do they actually weigh anyone or just go "give us a look at ye". Wouldnt be surprised either.

Its a symptom I think of todays times where decent folk are afraid to speak up. Should the decent folk who live in the Unionist community say, look enough is enough, its getting completely out of line. But then again I suppose most decent folk are in exodus on the 12th weekend.

Friday Night Lights - H.G. Bissinger
You're OK, It's Just A Bruise - Rob Huizenga

I wonder have they ever bothered looking here......... http://www.arfli.com/

looking forward to this one. it'll be a test of brawn against skill. I think Tipp will win it for that alone. Too much up front for Clare to be able to reply to.

When does a Recession officially start?

had that a year ago. i suppose you've tried taking anti-inflamatries. I'd go to hospital to get it looked at. They'll be able to tell of any damage was done and can carry out draining it if needs be or let you know if it will go down with time.

[Kick-Boxing]

I say this to anyone who's trying to get a good work out.

Kick-Boxing

Best work out ever.

Your fitness will go up loads,

fat will dissappear (pending your diet too)

and if its toning you want its perfect.

And no you wont get all muscular (unless thats what you want) as long as you don't stuff your face with protein.

And lots of ladies do it so don't worry. Most places have a beginners class and you wont get beaten up.

and it's more sociable and way more fun I'd imagine than jumping around your living room on the instruction of some celebrity airhead.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/government-cutbacks-may-spell-end-to-grants-for-gaa-players-1430558.html

By Martin Breheny


Thursday July 10 2008

THE €3.5m grants scheme for GAA players could be under threat as Government cutbacks threaten a whole range of programmes in various sectors.

The Government gave a commitment to the GAA and the GPA early this year to pay the grants for this season, but whether they identify them as an area where savings can be made in 2009 and beyond remains to be seen.

The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism declined to comment on the situation yesterday. But, with all Ministers under instruction to curb spending, the grant scheme - which was finally put together earlier this year after lengthy negotiations - could well come under severe pressure.

Under the scheme, more than 1,900 inter-county players will receive grants ranging from €1,400 to €2,500 per head, depending on how long a team survives in the championship.

The scheme is operated through the Irish Sports Council and is linked to various expenses incurred by the players in their pursuit of excellence.

The €3.5m commitment was given for 2008 but the agreement also noted that "the amount required for the scheme in subsequent years shall be determined by the Minister".

Doubt

That leaves it up to new Sports Minister Martin Cullen to decide if he will continue to provide funding from 2009 on. Clearly, there must be a serious doubt, especially as it is an area his department could identify as an easy target.

The GAA have stressed all along that, in the event of the Government withdrawing the funding, they would not finance it from their own resources. That could bring them into conflict with the GPA, who made the grants a key policy issue for the past few years and who would be dismayed if it were to be withdrawn after one year.

Meanwhile, tributes were paid by both the GAA and GPA to former Sports Minister Seamus Brennan, who died yesterday. He was centrally involved in the introduction of the grants scheme.

GAA president Nickey Brennan said that during his namesake's "all too brief tenure as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, he was always courteous, understanding and helpful".

A GPA statement also acknowledged his role in the grants initiative, noting that he was centrally involved in bringing the deal into being.

Ironically, that deal could now be under threat even before the payments are made for the first year.

looks like fun if you ask me