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ASH CONFIRM GLASGOWBURY SLOT !
        

Fifteen years, ten hit albums, twenty hit singles and an Ivor Novello Award but Northern Ireland's biggest selling band of all-time finally bag a Draperstown gig..... !

Glasgowbury can announce that this year's festival headliners are Downpatrick legends Ash !

We can also confirm that 45 bands and artists have been added to this year's event, with yet another stage making 4 in all. This year's event has already surpassed 2007, is by far the largest Glasgowbury in it's 8 year history, and the biggest ever independent music event held in Northern Ireland.

Looks like the lads have pulled another big one out of the bag. Last year's festival was brilliant and I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy it. Great crowd, great artsists, great location. Here's hoping that this year's festival is just as good, of not better!

www.glasgowbury.ie

www.myspace.com/glasgowbury

Small but Massive!

Well guys I had a quick look for an injuries thread and couldn't find anything and was looking for advice.

Got results of my MRI scan back there and it says "Normal Anterior Cruciate Ligament not demonstrated indicating at least partial and likely complete rupture." It also says I've partially ruptured my PCL.

The only insurane I have is the Coyle Hamilton Willis scheme and I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this scheme for this type of injury. If I go private for the op will it be covered?

Also has anyone been in a similar situation with a partial/complete tear of the cruciate and what can I look forward to after the surgery? Will I have a cast on or have to miss work? I've also heard that sometimes the scan may be misleading and point to a complete tear of the ligament but when the surgeon has a look it can sometimes only be torn slightly. Has anyone any experience of this?

I know I should be asking the doctor these questions but my appointment isn't until next Thursday and was just looking for a bit of advanced info on it.

Any info would be greatly appreciated and if anyone wants to talk about any injuries they've suffered feel free to use the thread.

Was listening to Radio 1 there and noticed Coldplay's new singel was on. What do people think of Coldplay these days? They kind of fell into that trap that happens to a lot of easy listening music like David Gray and James Blunt where everyone loves them after the first album and it's cool to like them next thing they're just singing whiney crap and you're a loser for even mentioning their name.

I think Coldplay are a great band with Parachutes and Rush of Blood being right up there in my list of favourite albums. X&Y was OK but just didn't hit the same heights. I saw them live twice and I have to say that they are a great band for a stadium as the time I saw them in the Odyssey they were class. Having seen them outdoors it wasn't just the same but still a good gig.

Anyway just wanting to see what people's opinion was of them ahead of the New Album... will anyone be buying it? Oh and the new single is available for download for free off their website now (Although there is a high volume on it so it could take a while). It seems to be good enough but will probably take a few listens to like.

I read this article in the BBC:

Premier League conquering Europe


By Ian Hughes

This season there are four teams from the same country in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time ever.

While Italy, Germany, Spain and Turkey have to make do with one side each, the Premier League's big four have all made it through.

The progress of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea has shown the strength of the Premier League - and with two of them drawn together, England is guaranteed at least one semi-finalist.

Never before has one country dominated to such an extent, so why and how has it happened? And will it continue?
   
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/FINALS
Arsenal v Liverpool
Roma v Man Utd
Fenerbahce v Chelsea
Schalke 04 v Barcelona

If so, what does it mean for other leagues around Europe, as the best players head for the Premier League in large numbers every summer?

And could the future of the Champions League be under threat if this trend continues?

BBC Sport asked three men with a vast amount of experience and knowledge of European football to give their verdicts:

Marcel Desailly, who won the Champions League twice with Marseille and with AC Milan and also has experience of the Premier League after spending six years at Chelsea

Jesper Blomqvist, who also has a Champions League winners' medal from his time at Manchester United. The Swede also played in Italy with AC Milan

Ferran Serrano, the vice-president of Spanish giants Barcelona, who won the Champions League in 2006.

WHY ARE PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS DOMINATING IN EUROPE?

Blomqvist: The top clubs in the Premier League have found an excellent mix of the English mentality - the attitude, energy and high-tempo game - with the superior technical skills of the foreign players, and the tactical knowledge of the foreign coaches.

Those elements are giving the Premier League the edge.

Desailly: When the likes of Gianfranco Zola and Eric Cantona came to England in the 1990s the clubs took a more serious tactical approach and they are now able to play at the European level.

The technique was already there, the speed of the game was already there, but tactically they are now clever enough to cope with any opposition.

Also, you have four major teams who have the capacity to qualify for the Champions League.

The league is at a level where there is no space for them all to win the title so these teams have more concentration on winning the Champions League. Take Liverpool - they struggle in the league every year, so they concentrate on the Champions League.

Serrano: These things happen from time to time. Five or six years ago the Spanish teams dominated the Champions League.

However, since there is a strong correlation between the amount of money spent on players' salaries and results, it is fair to say that the Premier League (the biggest league in Europe in terms of revenues - double the size of Spain, France, Italy or Germany) is bound to have more teams winning in the competition.

SO IS IT ALL TO DO WITH MONEY?

Desailly: Money does play a part. But remember there is also money at Inter Milan, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona - they have that capacity at any time to splash any kind of amount on salaries.

However, you can see the huge potential and interest of foreign owners who want to establish themselves in England with football clubs. In Italy it is different, you cannot buy AC Milan or many of the other clubs because they are not on the market. But the fact that they are available in England motivates these people.

Blomqvist: The Premier League is offering really good money at the moment, and the other leagues are perhaps struggling to match that - particularly in Italy, where the top sides are struggling to hang on to the best Italian players.

So, the really good players are going to play in England right now. Money is a big factor, but it is not the whole reason for the Premier League's domination.

Serrano: Not entirely. The difference in revenues between the Premier League and other leagues has been like this for years.

But the fact that now there are more foreigners playing in England makes the style of play a bit more European and makes the English teams more competitive in the Champions League.

WILL MORE FOREIGN PLAYERS COME TO ENGLAND?

Blomqvist: Yes, I think that the resources that the Premier League has at the moment means that more foreign players will be heading for England.

And, also, the best players want to compete in the Champions League and the best players will go to England because they know they can go far there.

Serrano: I believe that foreign players will continue to move to England. The Premier League will continue its global projection, attract more revenue and therefore be able to spend more money on players.

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE ENGLAND TEAM?

Blomqvist: It is a big problem for the England team. There are not enough good players coming through, and when you look at the top clubs there are not many Englishmen playing in the first team.

To alter things would require a complete change of philosophy and big changes throughout all levels in England.

Serrano: I am not sure much can be done about the England team - they may just have to live with it.

IS ENGLAND'S DOMINANCE BAD FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?

Serrano: No, you must have free competition, in a free market. As for the format of the Champions League, the only improvement that can be made is to go back to the old two group stages format.

Blomqvist: The best teams that are left in the competition are there on merit and that is how it should be. I don't believe one country will dominate completely, anyway.

But if it did happen, then I think it would be devastating for the competition, not only in a football sense, but other factors like the TV rights would be affected.

Desailly: English clubs will not dominate. You have to consider Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and many other teams.

Yes, England are doing well but when you look at the likes of these teams and the quantity of trophies they have won, you see their history of winning European titles.

IS THE PREMIER LEAGUE THE BEST IN THE WORLD?

Desailly: In terms of the level of interest and supporters, we can say yes, the English league is the best. It can be more interesting, is quicker, and has more players who want to play and show they are the best.

However, if you talk with the Italians they would tell you that Serie A is the best league. The only difference is that the Premier League has a global following. I think that, tactically, the gap is not so big between England, Spain and Italy.

Blomqvist: I think Spain is as strong as it has ever been but possibly Italy may be suffering a bit economically and struggling to keep its best players. Perhaps not at the very top, but I feel Serie A is weaker and has gone backwards a bit.

In the Premier League, the combination of the English way of playing with the more tactical parts and technical parts from Europe and South America makes it very, very strong.

Serrano: I would say that the Premier League has certainly been the best-managed league in the last 10 years.

I hate all this Premier League is the best in the world and English teams domination of Europe crap! English teams have won the European Cup twice in the last 24 years! Also, let's be honest here they were freak occurances as it could be argued that both Man Utd's and Liverpool's comebacks in those finals will rarely happen!

Ok of course English teams are doing well this year but I think all this domination crap is a bit much. I would be surprised if Utd. or Arsenal don't win but to talk about English domination of the competition is ludicrous when you consider that with England's 2 wins in 24 years AC Milan have won the Cup 5 times, Juve twice, Real 3 times, Barca twice also... it's a pure joke!

English domination of the European Cup ended in 1984 after they won 7 out of 8 European Cups and English clubs will not dominate the competition again until they win a few more within a decent space of time!

As for the Premier League being the best in the world what a load of nonsense. Outside the top 4 it is utter tripe as can be witnessed by English teams involvement in the UEFA Cup final stages or lack of English involvement I should say.

Anyway I just thought I would put it out there... my own opinion would be the same as Desailly's who is basically saying that in terms of hype and interest the Premier League is the best but when talking about overall quality Spain and Italy are better.

End of Rant

Anyone ever bother with this newfangled idea?

I've subscribed to Ricky Gervais and Today FM's Gift Grub but I haven't really come across anything good apart from those 2.

Anybody else use podcasts much? Maybe someone could recommend some good podcasts to subscribe to.

Cheers.

As we are all interenet whores I'm guessing there are a fair percentage of us who have membership to one or all of the sites listed. Which do you prefer?

Personally I think myspace is pish while facebook and bebo have their upsides. I think facebook is better as a site as there are so many things you can do with it but a lot more people are on Bebo so it is probably better as a means of keeping in touch.

What does anyone else think?

Had a conversation over the weekend about this whole 'metrosexual' stuff.

Personally I think it's a load of crap that's mainly used for posers and gay men but I know of a few people who have been forced into it by their other halves.

What are the grooming habits of lads on the board like? Do you use moisturiser every day? Do you have separate shampoo and conditioner to achieve the desired look for your hair?

Personally I don't do any of it I'll use whatever shower gel or shampoo is lying about, usually lynx or wash and go (you know the one where the bird washes her hair and then pisses off!) and any moisturising comes from it being tied into whatever gel or cream I'm using for a shave.

What do the rest of you think about it? Ladies are also invited to comment as to what they think of the whole idea.

From Irish News This Morning

By Paddy Heaney
ARMAGH'S rising star Kevin Dyas boarded a plane to Australia last night to begin a month-long trial with AFL club, Collingwood.

A representative from the
Melbourne club flew to Ireland last weekend to watch Dyas play for his club Dromintee against Crossmaglen Rangers in the Armagh
senior championship. Dyas was superb and the game ended in a draw.

Dyas will be met in Melbourne by Down's Martin Clarke who has proved to be a sensation since joining 'the Magpies'. Dyas and Clarke were opponents in last year's
MacRory Cup final. Clarke represented St Louis', Kilkeel while Dyas played for Abbey CBS.

The Dromintee lad spearheaded the Newry school to Hogan Cup glory when he scored 2-1 in the All-Ireland Colleges' final against St Pat's, Navan. Since leaving the Abbey,
Dyas began a course at the University of Ulster.

This year, he was on Jordanstown's Sigerson Cup panel, the Armagh U21 squad which won the Ulster title, and Joe Kernan's senior squad. Dyas also received an offer from
the Brisbane Lions, but Collingwood proved to be his first choice.

Anyone else watching the madness unfold in the McLaren team... I usually hate motor racing but F1's turned into more of a soap opera at the minute with new boy Hamilton stealing all the accolades from seasoned pro Alonso who is not taking it well... The weekend past is just another in a long line of incidents between the two drivers

From bbc.co.uk

Alonso is ignoring me - Hamilton 

Hamilton leads Alonso by seven points in the F1 title race
Hungarian Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton admitted his relationship with McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso had hit rock-bottom after Sunday's race.
"He doesn't seem to be speaking to me, so I don't know if he has a problem," said the 22-year-old Hamilton.

"If I walk in and I see him then I will speak to him, but I won't go looking for him and make him feel better."

Hamilton's win came after Alonso was demoted five grid places for holding up his team-mate during qualifying.

The relationship between two-time world champion Alonso - who joined McLaren from Renault this year - and F1 rookie Hamilton has appeared strained since the Briton's astonishing start to his debut season.

In June, McLaren boss Ron Dennis was forced to play down Alonso's comments that the team favoured Hamilton.

Matters came to a head during the build-up to the Hungarian Grand Prix when Spaniard Alonso stayed in the pits just long enough to prevent Hamilton from getting out in time to complete a final qualifying lap.

That came after Hamilton had refused to obey team orders to let Alonso past at the start of qualifying as part of a pre-arranged strategy.

Alonso was angered by the penalty, feeling he had explained to the race stewards why he had stayed in the pits for a further 10 seconds after being given the signal to go.

I guess he [Hamilton] will have a different relationship with the team in the next race, because I don't think they are very happy

Fernando Alonso
"I hope he still speaks to me. I'm easy to get on with. I don't hold grudges over anyone," added Hamilton, who stretched his lead in the drivers' championship to seven points with victory in Hungary.

"But if he doesn't want to speak to me, then that's for him to decide. But I'm open."

Alonso said his relationship with Hamilton had not changed.

"It's the same as before the race," he said.

"Each of us looks at his own interests, trying to do the best race possible, with the best strategy, and I try to do the same with my group of engineers and mechanics.

"But I guess he will have a different relationship with the team in the next race, because I don't think they are very happy, and I will have the same one (relationship)."

Hamilton said he had cleared the air with Dennis, who admitted on Sunday that the tension between the drivers had led to "a very difficult time" for the team.

"We sat down, we spoke about it and came to a mutual understanding and started with a clean slate," said Hamilton, who has known Dennis since he was 10.

"The relationship we have is very strong and something like this is not going to come between us, so we will move on to bigger and better things."

ANybody venturing to the foothills of the Sperrin's to be a part of the North's fastest growing music festival??

Really good lineup with Duke SPecial Headlining and many other good acts on the bill.

Check the website:

www.glasgowbury.ie

Was involved in a match at the weekend in England where the referee made some very debatable decisions regarding the Free Kick situation.

On 4 separate occasions the referee hopped the ball from a free kick in scoreable positions. Whilst during the match he would not divulge as to why he had done this, we were later informed that it was because the free takers had 'bounced the ball before taking the kick'. You can imagine the uproar from one of the camps as to this suggestion  as it can be clearly seen from any number of televised games on a Sunday that there are many High Profile free takers e.g. Padraig Joyce, Paddy Bradley, have a routine where they bounce the ball before taking a free kick for a score. Can anyone clarify the ruling on this as it would serve to help the argument currently going on over on the Hoganstand website.

Thanks in advance.

Saying as the Championship weekend begins on Friday week I thought it might be an idea to start a thread on who the favourites are for each of the competitions... who are the big name players to look out for and more importantly does anyone know where to head out to for a weekend when staying in Jurys Heathrow!

Personally I think it will be hard to look past Liverpool Hope for the main competition. We got absolutely tanked by them in the NW league and I personally thought they were better organised than John Moore's although it will be difficult to see what effect the loss of the University of Liverpool boys will have on the team.

St. Mary's and Napier may challenge the 2 Liverpool Uni's but from what I've heard they aren't as good as they have been in previous years.

As for Division 2 I'd say it will be a toss up between any number of teams as it will depend on what Uni's get their full teams out and also a lot will depend on conditions.

The plate competition will be an even bigger lottery. My club Man Met Uni (Now Manchester Comnined) have recently been relegated due to a 'clerical' error and we've a decent squad so we'll be lookin' to give it a good rattle.

Oh and please don't let the thread deteriorate into the Hoganstand version of "No Hope are better than John Moore's" "No John Moore's are better than Hope" as it gets a bit tedious reading the same thing 100 times over!

Having seen Ireland's 2 immense performance on the world stage there over the past few weeks it led me to think about the whole "Drinking and the GAA" issue. I'm sure it's no secret that a lot of the Irish Rugby team hit the town bigstyle just over a week before their 2 big games. Don't get me wrong I'm not begrudging it to them becasue they've obviously done a lot of work and deserve a night off but it has to beg the question do we in the GAA go completely overboard when it comes to drinking bans?

The year Monaghan won Division 2 they had been off the beer since November and were only allowed one night of celebration after their division 2 success. I myself have been involved in 3 month drink bans as well. It amazes me that these Professional International Athletes can perform to such a high level on 2 occasions withink 2 weeks of having been drinking and Intercounty and CLub players are expected to be dry for months and most of the time still come up short.

Are we taking ourselves too seriously? Should there be more realistic drink bans in place? Does anyone think that the culture in the GAA of going on massive drinking bans means more people are willing to flout it?

I'm just interested in hearing some opinions on it. My own opinion is that GAA teams, both club and county are getting much too carried away with themselves and that drink bans of one month before a game are more than sufficient coming up to championship and that you shouldn't drink the night before training or a normal match. I also believe it should be a two way thing and that if players are given this kind of respect they should not be out drinkinng 15 Aftershock and 10 vodka and red bulll.

If a more common sense approach was used I think drinking would become much less of an issue within the GAA than it is at present.

Rant over