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Incidentally ordered the new book to-day about George Connelly. Older Celts will remember him as an outstanding talent who couldn't hack the pressures of football and literally walked out on Celtic and a professional career. Should be an interesting read

If this ruling finally makes the IFA dispose of the political trappings of unionism at games, and jettison its absurd ban on Sunday soccer, then it may well be a good thing.

I have attended many games at Windsor Park and have even enjoyed some, but I have never felt any affinity with or allegiance to the team. If it is to survive the IFA will have to create a team and an evironment that is devoid of political trappings and welcoming to all

Anyone else think Mc Geady takes too much stick from the RTE Panellists? w**ker Dunphy was ridiculing him again last night and Giles normally has nothing good to say about Celtic (probably hasn't got over the defeat in the European Cup semi final all those years ago), Souness last night diplomatically said nothing (he must be in the frame to take over the manager's hotseat), and Brady the absolute failure as Manager at Parkhead, is normally not very complimentary towards the Bhopys either, though he wasn't there last night.

You almost get the feeling that they think no one playing in the SPL is good enough for Ireland

Brilliant. On the Nolan show and Talkback on the same day...worth 20 letters in the paper!

PS I suspect there was another Board member who had a comment read out on the programme? Anyone else care to guess who this might have been, Orior?

Yes that mindset evident in the postings on OWC are reflective of the British as Finchley mindset, that for decades ignored if not abused the Irish Dimension in the six counties and needed the GFA to finally establish. Many would contend that this was the root cause of the troubles and helped to give birth and indeed sustain the IRA.You will note of course that many unionists, probably a majority, do not accept the GFA.

What they don't get is the reason why players (who are only following in the footsteps of nationalist football supporters, who made the decision long ago ) are actually opting to play for the FAI side. They don't see that playing the English National Anthem, flying the bastardised Ulster Flag that unionists unilaterally adopted as the flag of the North of Ireland is actually the root cause of this. Then again if you believe that the six counties is as Britsih as Finchley I suppose you wouldn't see this.

I actually feel sorry for them. This FIFA ruling and gubbings by Spain and Denmark to come ... all in the space of two weeks

Souness on George Mc Cluskey anyone, in one of his first games, if not the first, after taking over the Huns.

What price the point in Lisbon now if the Bhoys had held on for another couple of minutes?

Still Milan beating Shaktar was what we all wanted to see. If Milan have already qualified by the last game (and they should be) it may not be too difficult taking a crucial point at the San Siro

A great and wonderful victory for Ireland! So much for SammyG and other OWC twats. Once again the IFA couldn't win a raffle never mind an intellectually based legal debate

Did you catch me and Barry Mc Ilduff and others putting Howard Smells and Stephen Beacom in their place on the Nolan show this morning?

Also the arrogance of the English bastard Wells grunting every time Mc Ilduff spoke is typical of the brit/unionist mentality here...British as Finchley and all that crap.

The decision is a victory for individual rights. I suspect FIFA have learned the lesson from Bosman, that any individual can challenge any decision affecting their individual and civil rights in the European Court of Justice.

Still it is a decision that I have waited years for

Anyone else think this was the non event of the year? Also Mark Durkan's attempts at humour are right up there with the AsshHoles in the Wall gang. As for the two so called Ulster Unionists in attendance, which is supposed to mark some sort of pact or co operation between the two parties, has anyone ever heard of them?

They seem to be doing a reasonable job raising Margaret Richie's profile as some sort of latter day iron lady in the Thatcher mould, but still it surely will not be good enough to enable her to win Mc Grady's South Down seat?

It has improved, but could be better. I would expect out corporate wing to grow alongside our rejuvenation as a team and no doubt the new stadium development will come complete wit a new superstore.

Access to and from WHL in general is the pits, particularly after a game. If you want to get away quick you are more or less obliged to make the long trek by foot down to Seven Sisters Tube Station. Even if you're lucky enough to get a bus, yiu're usually stuck for ages in traffic jams

Er, I use interest free Credit Card offers very rarely, eg around Xmas, and always have the total paid off just before the interest free period expires, therefore I am never caught for exorbitant interest charges.

After Friday I will have attended sporting functions at both Windsor Park and Ravenhill whilst enjoying free hospitality but never a GAA sporting event in the Six Counties whilst availing of Corporate Hospitality. Something amiss there, but as Alanis Morrissette would say, Isn't it ironic?

Jealous bastards! The shirt comes in its wrapping and has the certificate of authenticity along with the price (ie £55) marked. A real collectors item, I would suggest

Also handling fees are part and parcel of all balance transfers and 3% is about par for the course.

Next on the list is a Corporate Hospitality Trip to the 9 Counties of Ulster Versus Gloucester Heineken Cup tie on Friday night, with free nosh, free bar, and mini bus transfer to and from home. Terrible life but someone has to do it! Think of me downing hot whiskies free gratis when you are sitting freezing your assholes off in the wooden seats

It was stated by Levy at the AGM in January that there would be a decision taken in the next 12 monts to either build at a green field site or redevelop WHL.I am delighted that we are staying at the Lane, it is and always will be our spiritual home. Hope they extend the underground link though as it is not the easiest of places to get to.

Anything less than a 2-0 win tomorrow night will be seen as a failure for the Bhoys.

Sure wsh I was going, was at the Juve match in 2001 (4-3) and last year's 1-0 win against Man Ure, and although Benfica are not in the same class as those two, you simply cannot beat a big European game at Paradise for atmosphere.

Here's hoping the huns get tanked in the Nou Camp as well!

Cracking goal all the same from Luke Young for Boro, another player, along with Pedro Mendes etc, that should never have been let go from the Lane. We simply must beat Wigan at home next Saturday

Good interview with MJ in to-day's Sunday Times. He reckons he may well be back managing Spurs one day (didn't Glen Hoddle say the same) and spoke very eloquently about how he feels his strength is buying and developing young players and he felt that this would ultimately have paid dividends.Also said he had no idea during the game with Getafe that he was going to be sacked.

See the legendary Jimmy Greaves has said that the Board must resign if the Ramos move doesn't work out. Quite right

Countering recent criticism of the obcene wages earned by Premiership players Stephen Hunt has spoken to how hard he has had to work to get to where he is and his days as a young apprentice with Crystal Palace, when the landlady scrimped on the club allowance and fed hm spaghetti hoops morning noon and night.

Brought the tears to my eyes.

Can't wait for the match programme for the next Ireland home game. No doubt another sponsor will appear on the ever growing list somethin like

Heinz: Official Spaghetti Hoops supplier/partner of/ to the FAI