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Spent a few days in Dublin last week.
Up and down quite a lot to matches last few years but hadnt stayed down, genuinely shocked at the amount of begging  the streets. I couldnt get over the dirt and rubbish either. All the usual places Phoenix Park, Zoo etc are very good but the streets around O'Connell Street and out at Hueston Station would make you sick

We have no got an acht na gaeilge-discuss

Predictions

Senior
Slaughtneil V Middleton
Dunloy v Ballycran

Intermediate
Lisbellaw v Dungannon
Castleblayney v Bredagh
Setanta v Keady
Banagher v St Endas

Junior
Inniskeen v Naomh Cholmcille
Eoghan Rua v Mullahoran
St Eunans v Gort na Mona
Sean Traceys v Newry

A Chairde,

just interested to find out how clubs across the country find the level of pressure being applied on coaches by parents and guardians. I've noticed in my own club a huge spike in recent years of parents starting massive hissy fits etc over team selection. It seems to be on the increase and I feel anyhow that it is a relatively new phenomenon

Anybody on here knowledgable in transfer rules.  If a club objects to a transfer can that player leave after a years inactivity with the club they are transferring from?

Would this not be a better thread than the alternative one currently running.

Where are the areas and clubs who are getting it tight, what are the reasons?, how can they be helped?

The criteria would need to include membership,facilities,finances and also which clubs cant operate freely because of intimiadtion etc.
I wouldnt be too worried about results if clubs are making an effort to field but id be worried if clubs were struggling to field

Im not too sure if I agree with Donál Ógs proposals on Team Ulster. Id be keen to see more investment at club level in Belfast and Derry City first. These are 2 major centres of population and if we can crack these areas you will automatically see hurling in Derry and Antrim get stronger.

Predictions

Intermediate
Na Magha v Dungannon - Dungannon
Burt v Clooney- Clooney
Bredagh v Cuchullains- Cuchullains

Semis
Dungannon v Clooney
Cuchullains v Inniskeen

Final
Clooney v Cuchullains

Clooney to win

Junior

Craobh Rua v Monaghan Harps -Monaghan

Strabane v Lisnaskea- Lisnaskea

Mullahoran v Coleraine -Coleraine

Creggan v Kilclief- Kilclief

Semis

Monaghan v Lisnaskea- Monaghan
Coleraine v Kilclief - Coleraine

Final
Coleraine to win

Senior

Ballygalget v Loughgeil - Loughgeil
Lisbellaw v Slaughtneil- Slaughtneil

Final
Loughgeil to win

Thought some of the acts at radio 1 big weekend were excellent, but I don't think I can take the Derry/Londonderry description anymore. Such a mouthful.

I was driving home last night through Omagh on way back from AI and noticed a very pungent smell around Omagh. Anyone tell me what it is, a factory?farm?sewers?

Not sure if there was another thread on this show. Anyhow, I had to get this off my chest, these people make me sick! I know i shouldnt take it too seriously but I had to switch it off tonight-disgusting people.

Just watching the second episode in a series of 4. Excellent viewing, Missed the first episode unfortunately. Anyone watching it, any thoughts?

The Derry City Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are tabling a bid to host the Fleadh in Derry City in 2013 as part of the UK city of culture bid. It has failed to date because it hasnt been backed at county level. Any thoughts?

I have just about got fed up listening to the IFA moan on about players who have been born in NI declaring for the Republic. The latest drivel has been spouted today by new NI manager M O Neill. His rational was that lads would get more play time with NI than the republic. Does he not understand why these guys are declaring for the Republic? Its not about prestige or game time its about deep rooted cultural differences.  Take Mc Clean and Gibson. Both are from Derry Citry. Both come from working class nationlist housing estates- Creggan and Hazelbank. Nobody ever walks around these areas wearing NI jerseys, in fact it would go down like a lead ballon. NORTHERN NATIONALISTS IN THE MAIN CONSIDER THEMSELVES IRISH NOT BRITISH. They do never feel comfortable or welcome standing in Windsor Park listening to God Save The Queen and facing the Union Jack. I could go on on but I wont. Other northern nationalists have and will continue to play for the North but those that dont want to should not be made feel guilty about feeling Irish and playing for the Republic

If anyone ever needed a reminder of why Dubliners are called Jackeens just switch on radio/tv etc this week to hear the tip the hat, sickening ,weak comments of the Dubiln folk in anticipation of the Queens visit

see that the uhl is startin early this year-2nd week in Feb. Is there much interest about or will the early start put teams off

Is Derry GAA in disarray?
I am not sure but I get a feeling this year that just too much seems disorganised, there is a lot more controversy around and that grassroots members are turning their backs on the association because of perceived corruption and general skulduggery.
Continuous reports of referees not showing up, fixtures postponed over and over, red cards rescinded etc. The CCC are almost Mafia Like.
Football continues to decline in quality and hurling is without a doubt under attack from board.
I liken the Derry GAA scene to the unfortunate economic scene in The Republic. The South lost the run of itself and have ended up forgetting about that which made it admired worldwide. The Derry Gaa have forgotten the basic values of the association and if we are not careful we could implode!

Just throwing a line out there to see if there is any interest at the minute in Derry hurling. The Derry board has has spent 10 years trying to kill Derry hurling- fact.
The stalwarts in the Derry's hurling pockets are as good a hurling men as anywhere in Ireland but they have little or no support