Messages

I know the lad's real name but for the life of me I can't remember his Board name. He's long since gone anyway I think. Apart from a massive GAA knowledge, he could also sink pints of the blackstuff like there was no tomorrow

FFS I still cringe how we threw that one away (there were AI Final Tickets for every member of the winning team as well) and we were 3 or 4 points ahead with two rounds to go. The eventual winning team had a couple of big celebrity names in the GAA Quiz world on their team (we are talking Know your Sport contestants and Hogan Stand Quiz winners here) and I remember one of them telling me afterwards that with about two rounds to go they had all but given up the ghost as they thought we were home and dry. We had a nightmare penultimate round.

A couple of points here. O'Neill gave a moving eulogy at Dougan's funeral last year, and not one IFA representative showed up at the funeral. Even after nearly 35 years the narrow minded bastards couldn't forgive him Of course he was never selected to by the IFA again due to his involvement in the organisation of this game.

Also, Alan Hunter, David Craig and Bryan Hamilton willingly participated in this game for the Irish team. None of these lads were from a nationalist background yet they willingly played. Along with the late Derek Dougan and George Best, this to me indicates a high interest in an All Ireland team from a sizeable section of unionists who unlike OWC, do not believe that they need a so called national football team to confirm their political identity or allegiances.

O'Neill and Jennings must become proactive in the promotion of one all Ireland side, and not just talk the talk. With their profiles in the game they have important roles to play in this regard

Thats the test of good management. Look how many players Dungannon Swifts have lost yet Fay has still got more out of the team than the sum of their ability. You are providing excuses for Eddie not reasons. If Marty Quinn had been in charge Cliftonville would be champions already...and in the Irish Cup Final as well

Well given the fact that I have been going to GAA games, both club and county for over 40 years, have qualified for the National Finals of the Brain of the GAA competition, won numerous GAA related prizes (including a trip to LA), and in conjunction with a Dub who was on this Board, dragged a quiz team to runner up spot (in which we routed many teams containing posters on this Board as well as 5Sams ) in the GAA Brains of Ulster quiz sponsored by the Irish News in 2005, I think the evidence is quite conclusive as to my GAA credentials

With all due respect GD, choking in last year's Cup Semi Final against Dungannon Swifts, and failing to pick up a single league point against Coleraine or Newry (none of these clubs is awash with cash) suggests that Eddie cannot lead the team when the pressure's on.

My old mate Harry Fay has done a much better job at Dungannon and came within a penalty kick of winning the Irish Cup last year.

Its all about getting the very best out of your players when the pressure's on. Patterson cannot do this evidently, as Cliftonville have one of the best squads in the league, yet look destined for another trophyless season, and being true to form they will probably fcuk up Glentoran and hand the Championship to the Windsor scum

What Bradley doesn't seem to be able to grasp is the fact that most Unionists hate all things Irish or perceived to be Irish, including the language (look at their strident opposition to an Irish Language act for example), GAA, etc.

Therefore no amount of tinkering to the GAA's constitution will make a blind bit of difference to their attitude.

I know a fair few protestant/unionists (of the liberal variety) and they happily watch GAA games.

Let the status quo prevail. The GAA has already done more than enough to make itself more acceptable.

If it was a "no comment" then there wouldn't have been a post.

It was a carefully measured comment as I was yellow carded previously when I posted my true thoughts about another poster

I said there was a "distinct possibility" thats all. I didn't predict.

Its not my fault if the two teams in question can't rise to the occasion although Donegal Celtic deserve more praise than Cliftonville who seem to constantly choke under Patterson when the chips are down (eg last year agaisnt Dungannon Swifts in the Cup semi and this year in the league against Coleraine and Newry ffs

Stew, I wonder why the Ballyholland bollix has never offered to fight me. In fact I am ware that he has been in places where I have been but has never approached me to exchange views for some reason?

Maybe he knows when to keep a low profile

Promises to be a good night but the idea is a carbon copy of the memorable evenings in the Marketplace the week before the All Ireland Finals in 2002 and 2003, only they had better guests (John O'Mahoney, Tommy Lyons, Houlie and Frank Mitchell ) hosted by Logie and screened by UTV. Julian Simmons was the warm up act in 2003 and I remember sitting beside this Tyronie, who had had a few, and he was saying, rather audibly, "What the f77k is that gay bastard doing here!"

I remember particularly the 2002 event, when I had only one ticket and being the chivalrous type that I am , I let my wife use it, and was just about to sink a pint at the Marketplace bar when a UTV employee came rushing round to tell me that there was one spare seat, and I had to forsake the pint as recording was about to commence.

I see this was desribed on Aretel yesterday as an "imbroglio", ie the headline stated "GAA apologises to Armagh and Dulin fans for imbroglio"

There you are. We can rest safe in the knowledge that we have been imbroglioised and the GAA is sorry

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Thank you! It is the support and admiration of my public that sustains me in my letter writing crusade

Jennings, O'Neill, the late George Best and Derek Dougan,only four big names of six county soccer who have recorded their support for an All Ireland side.

The only obstacle is the handful of bigots in the IFA and OWC. This will eveolve naturally if Irish passport holders in the North follow the example of Darren Gibson and it is important that the FAI push this now (surely Trappatoni will have major influence with his former player, Platini) and not allow the bigots in Windsor Avenue to stymie this.

How many times have we conceded 4 at home this year? Chelsea, Villa and Newcastle Shows where the problems lie and the truth is that were it not for the prowess of Berbatov and Keane respectively we would be in the midst of a relegation dogfight and no Carling Cup either. I shudder to think what will happen if Berba goes.

Juande will earn his corn this summer, only hope that he and not Comolli will have the final say in terms of player recruitment. Wasn't too enamoured with his tactics last Sunday. 3 strikers left us badly short in midfield.

The potential is there to be a top six club but it will take good management to achieve it

Simple question. Is there any other sporting organisation in the world where the paying customers are treated so shabbily?

The stand was full yesterday prior to the postponement and there was an announcement to this effect ffs.