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At the Sligo v Kildare match there were a lot of failira faces in the Sligo set-up who aren't doing it for the good of their health. I imagine there has been a fair few quid spent.

I think from a Kildare point of view it happened in the past that a manager threw in a load of U21s the year after they won Leinster and itruined them. But Flanagan is coming up with them and their levels are far above what we have ever had if you ask me. In fact the 'experienced' lads in the county are often the ones with the least football intelligence.

I hope we go up from the top spot, but I reckon Mickey & Co can't wait to welcome us to Tullamore.

It will be interesting to see where Kildare are now after their first blip. I didn't make the game, but they seemingly missed a lot and let Sexton have the freedom of the pitch in the first half. Offaly will be a test, but we have had time to sort things and being honest we needed a loss to see the reaction.

Kildare are great at all levels when things are going their way. Sligo's win opens it all up again, and it kinda shows that the teams here are no world beaters.

Sounds like they are heading the way of Second Captains...

Even apart from the move from sport they had the interview series and one was Annie Mac.
They rattled on for 15 minutes, indulging themselves in in jokes before we heard a sound from the guest.

Like Leinster the last few years, I find this Irish team hard to warm to. Maybe its listening to the Dublin media  but both teams seem totally devoid of personalities. Its all very robotic both on and off the pitch.

I'd be similar, there was a time I wouldn't miss a 5/6 nations game, recently I'd more than likely not see it.

I really hate the residency rule, I think it makes a mockery of international rugby. I know every country does it, blah, blah blah, it really irks me.

I'd love Saudia Arabia to take a keen interest in rugby , sign up 100 top up and coming players and compete for a world cup in 5 or 6 years time and show the ridiculousness of the rule.

Only a matter of time before that happens probably

They are not bothered with a minority sport. Too busy buying football.

I do have to laugh about people giving out on socials about the Aviva fans and lack of atmosphere. Full time whistle goes and people laughing and joking in the stands.
I'd say 20% actually care about the game and it's a just a day out. But it has been that way for years.
Even the fans that do care are often bandwagoners who never felt the weight of a ball. GAA worry about rugby but they get blinded by the bright lights and media exposure.

I know this has been touched on before, but I do have to laugh at managers giving out. The game they are coaching is not the football that has been played for decades and not the one that most of us fell in love with.

The skills of Gaelic football were being watered down and something had to be done. Now, I do think there is too much at once - but 3 up top, tap and go, anything to encourage long kickouts is good in my humble opinion.

I think it was Robbie Brennan who mentioned tuning in and it was 17-0 and fans won't watch it...well guess what lads? A county manager has to have some idea of an attacking plan. Too many spoofers just sit lads back and then don't know what to do without it.

Giving out about keepers allowing the ball to go back and forth as it's a bad thing. But, it's that lateral play is the very thing that most county managers have been coaching for years. So, are they admitting it was muck?!

I have been to all but one Kildare match and I have to say they are far better craic. It's much more chaotic, breaking balls are there to be won. Teams let the ball in earlier too.

Kids grow up with it at Go Games in terms of holding positions too, so it's not an alien thing. Let it rip I say!

Won't make Ennis, but a win would guarantee us promotion at this stage I think.

A couple of boaters showed well in the past 2 games. Cathal Hagney wouldn't be widely known even in Kildare.

Dan Flynn got his first minutes and we have the strongest bench in years.

I do think we are too forward minded and come championship holes at the back could be exploited.

I had put a bet on Kildare and Sligo to go up...

Teams seem to be very Jekyll and Hyde so far.
The Dubs were much better in the second half but they still really need Con and Kilkenny to lead.

Rafferty clipped a couple of lovely passes. Just v pleasing on the eye.

But, that's an aside. I like tap and go. 3 up top is good too.

The out ball is there. One way might be to designated your 3 back and forwards who stay up?

Kids grow up with this in Go Games.

For Kildare 8 lads have made their senior debut this year and others are still bedding in from last year.

Confidence is up, but Div 2 would be a much bumpier ride.

Ww hoped it would go well, but weren't expecting results like Saturday.

Better get the talking points about the new rules in before League Sunday.

Was wind a thing before the new rules?!

Joking aside Galway have been excellent everywhere and really biting in.

Just reading this on the Guardian...

Forced to name a bench with Victor Lindelof and eight untried teenagers on it last weekend, Manchester United number Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Toby Collier and Johnny Evans among the lame and halt clogging up their physio room, but should have Christian Eriksen, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte available after spells out.

Shaw and Mount are never not injured so hardly worth a mention. Evans is another. Collier is a chap, so United are really only missing Diallo and Martinez (another spending too much time injured).

So a week after someone is stabbed off Grafton St and I am strolling the area looking for a quiet one before heading home.
It's 9pm, buskers are still out along with late shoppers and the bars have a lovely buzz. Walk down Grafton St, South William and then Wicklow St before heading for the bus. Really wanted a quiet 1 but places were fairly full.

Did not see 1 Garda. I did see little scrotes just walking around. One lad around 9 (with around 10 older lads 15 or so with him) giving grief and another group throwing oranges at people.

I know in the grand scheme of things it's harmless, but FFS at least have a bit of presence after what happened.

The Dubs won't be caught. And in fairness Meath are doing well in a higher division so they are in a better place to do it.

It's odd as I expected Sligo to be better and then others are popping up eg Offaly. I really want us to lay down a marker v Laois and I think we will. A home game under lights vs a local rival should make for a good night.

That being said we are still a bit open at times and we could be caught out in the Championhip playing Div 2 outfits.

Disappointed Pep didn't give Mbappe some performative coaching advice after the final whistle.

I know it's very hard when your team is under pressure, but Foden is meant to be world class.
No influence tonight or all season.

Mbappe Hat Trick now...