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Jaysus, look how far Austria have fallen!

The Album of the 80s, The Joshua Tree, has just been re-released all be it a remastered version with some previously unreleased material. Maybe it is a cynical marketing excercise by U2, but it is definitely one for any music collection.

It seems to be a trend now, redoing classic albums on a 20th or 30th anniversary.

Look out for a Darkness on the Edge of Town package (remastered album, concert film, maybe a documentary) next year. He did it with Born to Run two years ago, so hopefully Springsteen will give Darkness the works as well.

The term is also used to refer to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (i.e. the whole island: both Northern Ireland and the Republic) together.

Is there a need to be confrontational?  Am I the only one that would have liked to see a preview of the Republic aswell?

You haven't been here very long (judging by your post count). Let this be a lesson to you when discussing this type of subject on this board in future!

Granted not a part of Britain but still a part of the "home nations"

I just thought they could have done a preview like they did for NI, Wales, Scotland and England.

And then you'd have people on here crying about being considered part of the home nations!

You can't win!

I quite like most of them, although the old classic ones (Dean Martin, Bing Crosby etc.) and the Phil Spector ones are the best. I don't mind the Cliff Richards ones at all.

I have to say lads that this board has been very unbalanced in its debating of the arguments in these GPA threads. reproducing only the parts of the star's article that suit your agenda is typical. there were several newspaper articles reproduced here for debate over the last few weeks but not a word about two excellent pieces by former intercounty players aidan o'rourke and benny tierney last weekend. heaven forbid anyone would would make a calm and sensible case for the GPA's ams. couldn't have that up for discussion or it'd get i the way of the assumptions, hysteria and downright irrelevent stuff that passes for fact on this board recently.

How many pilloried the GPA when the fought for among many other things a set mileage allowance, boots for players, training gear, food after training, etc.?

The GPA have had the foresight to negotiate with the government for provision in the budget for taxpayer's money to be allocated for a grant scheme for intercounty players. Elitest as that may seem, It is the interounty footballer who comes under the most time & effort pressure, scrutiny and criticism for volunteering to represent their county. they are also the same group who the GAA have elevated to elite status through subjection to olympic standard drug testing procedures. if the government are willing to acknowldge this by extending a fraction of the grant aid they afford boxing, judo, bowls, etc., then surely everyone can be accomodated? the money amounts to two mortgage paymets a year out of 12. hardly a kng's ransom.

The GAA have long ago acknowledged that Government subsidising would not contravene any rules covering the amateur status within our association and there simply remains administrative procedures to work out. the perception of where the money comes from is not the GAA 's issue as has been mooted here.

Pay for play is not a GPA objective. members voted overwhelmingly that they would not suport any such move last year at our EGM and badly researched or hysterical claims to the contrary. any move in that direction would need a 2/3 majority vote and would never, in my opinion, even make the floor for debate.

If there are genuine reasons to block minimal government grants which the GAA themselves don't believe contravene amateur status then by all means they need to be aired but to not educate yourself of the facts, to make wild assumptions about the character of intercounty players as a whole or to simply begrudge those that give us some of the best entertainment money can buy are not fair reasons.

EDIT:

There are plenty of posters who have supported the GPA on this board, so their views will need to be included in any "forum response" for it to be fair and representative.

Well said.

[Hitler was Time man of the year in 1938 i think.]

Saw that show and to be honest very imbalanced piece (playing devils advocate)
They are linked with the Nazi's so what? at that time they were considered to be a great party rebuilding germany. Hitler was Time man of the year in 1938 i think.
Still sure every major comapny screws the developing world so if we ban coke we may ban addidas, nike and a host of other brands.
i dont drink their products of any kind at all anyway.

Hitler was not named Time Person of the Year to celebrate what he was doing. The nominee is selected based on their influence on society for that year, whether for better or for worse, and no one had a bigger role in world affairs in that year (or the subsequent years) than Hitler.

You're right about it not just being Coca Cola though. Take a look at the football you're knocking around next time you're out. It was probably made by a kid in a sweatshop in Pakistan.

On a happy note just across the border, Finn Harps are back in the "big time", after beating Waterford in the promotion/relegation play-off. Just have to figure out how to stay there, and how to beat those wankers by the Foyle!

I was trying my best today to defend John O'Shea in work today after it was announced he has signed a new 3 year deal. I think far too many united fans are far too quick to say he's useless. I agree he will never be a first team regular at OT but he's a good squad player who are can play in a number of key positions. I was listening to the Matt Copper show tonight and he was making the argument that he should move to a new club such as Newcastle where he could cement a position in the team and get regular first team football. I suppose the opportunity to win medals at old trafford is too attractive for him to ask for a transfer to another club.

Every club needs their bit-part players, but you don't normally see a player filling that role for years on end. Winning medals is great, but O'Shea will never be remembered as being one of the primary players behind any success that comes or has come United's way. If winning medals (primarily through the class of others) and 15 minutes playing time each week with a leading club make him happier than fulfilling his own potential by getting regular football at a lesser club, then more power to him.

Brian Wilson - Smile
Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
Ash - Free All Angels
Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer

There's a rumour on the internet that they've reserved the RDS for a second night, depending on how sales go for the first date. It wouldn't surprise me if they've done this, as his popularity seems to have increased in Ireland over the past few years.

On a sadder note, Danny Federici is taking a leave from the tour to pursue cancer treatment (melanoma). They're bringing in Charles Giordano, the accordian/piano player from the Seeger Sessions Band as a temporary replacement.

Today we learned that Bertie Ahern's good mate Des Richardson got $10,000 which didn't go to Fianna Fáil and for which no receipt was issued. It came from the promoters of a casio project in the Phoenix Park.

We also learned that 97 women have been recalled to be re-tested for cancer at Portlaoise Hospital.

The country is run by frauds and fools and those who voted them back in should be ashamed of themselves.

Pietas, cop yourself on for f**k sake.
How were voters to know last year that this cancer scandal was going to happen? 

Also, how are you so sure it wouldnt be happening with FG in charge? I'd presume it would be mostly the same staff doing these tests no matter who was in charge.

So basically we should be ashamed for voting for them partly because of a cancel scandal NOBODY predicted. Great logic. 

It was pretty clear before the election that Bertie Ahern is corrupt. The Irish people elected him anyway.

Being US-domiciled, I am not too well versed in this story, so I have no idea how high up the line the responsibility for the cancer-screening screw-up goes or whether it resulted from government policies on hospitals, but it does suggest a serious lack of oversight and quality control on the part of the health authorities.

Dont think you will be getting £10 million for Carson now

Whether he is, on the whole, worth 10 million has little to do with his mistake last night. There isn't a keeper around that hasn't done what he did at some point.

any of youse seen the show called the black donnellys,it's based on a irish crime family based in hells kitchen?

Complete load of sh1t

Olivia Wilde is seriously cute though!

Deadwood beats them all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KsU89R1A8M&feature=related