Messages

[How are we expected to take him seriously?!]

i see 'nobber' norris has another two letters he didnt bother disclosing.

No way! A Presidential candidate hasn't been open and honest on the details of his past? How are we expected to take him seriously?!

indeed 

Typical D-List Politics in Ireland.

I would've preferred David McWilliams had he stood. Perhaps Marty is the best on offer, Gay Mitchell is a Clown whilst Michael D Higgins is simply too old. Sean Gallagher's not too bad, but can he break the mould?

Ireland needs Leaders, not Politicians.

[I personally view myself as Bipartisan (as stipulated under the GFA) and hold both a British and Irish Passport (also under the terms of the GFA)]

If Marty is to win, he'd have to unite the 'Anti-Establishment' vote. Saying he will shake hands with the English Queen will burn too many Bridges down to achieve that.

I personally can't see a United Ireland ever happening. The ultimate solution for the 6 Counties, in my eyes, is Joint Authority with the Westminster Secretary of State acting as First Minister and the Irish Foreign Minister acting as Deputy First Minister. I personally view myself as Bipartisan (as stipulated under the GFA) and hold both a British and Irish Passport (also under the terms of the GFA).

I hate the way that the two sides in the North constantly bicker over things they'll NEVER agree on (prime example being the rows with Evil Genius about NI Soccer). This underlines the (lack of) maturity in our Politics. When Belgium was under Political Limbo due to the Flemish and Waloons not agreeing to form a Coalition Government the Country actually experienced Economic Growth (bear in mind Belgium's currency is the Euro).

The way I see it, Marty is just another Machiavellian Career Politician and that Sinn Fein are basically Fianna Fail with a Private Army.

Bipartisanship all the rage on the loughshore these days?  Changed times

Well, since the childer embrace all the British Pop Culture whilst remaining Gaels, I'd say so.

http://url.ie/d70x

A stak warning to the GAA about fixture scheduling (ie. The Qualifiers being on a Saturday Evening rather than a Sunday Afternoon).

If Marty is to win, he'd have to unite the 'Anti-Establishment' vote. Saying he will shake hands with the English Queen will burn too many Bridges down to achieve that.

I personally can't see a United Ireland ever happening. The ultimate solution for the 6 Counties, in my eyes, is Joint Authority with the Westminster Secretary of State acting as First Minister and the Irish Foreign Minister acting as Deputy First Minister. I personally view myself as Bipartisan (as stipulated under the GFA) and hold both a British and Irish Passport (also under the terms of the GFA).

I hate the way that the two sides in the North constantly bicker over things they'll NEVER agree on (prime example being the rows with Evil Genius about NI Soccer). This underlines the (lack of) maturity in our Politics. When Belgium was under Political Limbo due to the Flemish and Waloons not agreeing to form a Coalition Government the Country actually experienced Economic Growth (bear in mind Belgium's currency is the Euro).

The way I see it, Marty is just another Machiavellian Career Politician and that Sinn Fein are basically Fianna Fail with a Private Army.

Cant see Clonoe beat. McNulty and O'Hagan really stepped up in extra time, Damian Burke was very good also. Really solid at the back, still need more from the forwards though.

Imagine a Team with Clonoe's Backline and Dromore's Forwardline? They would win 10 in a Row in Tyrone.

I've always said before the Start of the Year that Omagh will win the Championship and I'm sticking by that estimation.

Typical whataboutery 'Flame War' involving NI Soccer Fans and GAA Fans.

I just want to make a few points clear.

1. Whatever Sport you play is basically determined by your Postcode. If you live in the Coharine Estate in Portadown, you're gonna support Portadown GFC. If you live in Craigwell or the Garavghy Road, you're gonna support Tir na nOg GFC (or the Hurling Club, I think they're called St. Makachy's). Rugby is really played by the 'Poshies' of either side.

Corcrain, shower of c***ts, got stuck behind them marching coming back from Armagh last night. Who in their right mind spends their Sat night dressed up as a clown doing that shite? Also Portadown is a poor example, they all like groundball there!

Which proves that only the Chav Element within Unionism supports the Orange Order.

Typical whataboutery 'Flame War' involving NI Soccer Fans and GAA Fans.

I just want to make a few points clear.

1. Whatever Sport you play is basically determined by your Postcode. If you live in the Coharine Estate in Portadown, you're gonna support Portadown GFC. If you live in Craigwell or the Garavghy Road, you're gonna support Tir na nOg GFC (or the Hurling Club, I think they're called St. Makachy's). Rugby is really played by the 'Poshies' of either side.

2. As I said in a previous thread, a lot of 'GAA-isms' also featured amongst the fans of the Milk Cup game I attended in Ballymoney. There were open-top Boots with Tea and Sandwiches, there was a sizeable Female representation and there were those leaving prior to the Final Whistle to avoid the Traffic Jam.

3. The Irish League is indeed an Old-Boys Network. However a lot of the blame lies with the Unionist Politicians for creating a Gravy Train within the IFA. NI needs clubs such as AFC Wimbledon, Ebbsfleet Town, or FC United of Manchester where the Fans are Shareholders. However, Political Factors will stop it.

Do they play games on Sundays now?

On a similar vein, can anyone tell me why bookies in the north aren't open on Sundays? they are open in every other part of the UK and ROI on the sabbath.

Forbes Racing does the Books on a Sunday.

Paidí, the great man manager that he is, would have gone to Australia, kidnapped Walsh and Kennelly, and parachuted them into the team last Sunday.
God he's some clown.

He is almost as deluded as Bertie..

The Republic really is a Car Crash Nation. 

btw, I went to Uni with a fella from Ballymacnab. He's now working in Dublin. I also know the Mum of a few Ballymacnab Camogie Players.

Doubt they'd beat Cross, but who knows?

Ricky Otto of Reading and Birmingham City fame.

Disgusted at how Ardboe threw it away. Why didn't we just put the Free over and hope for a goal opportunity from the proceeding kick-out? You simply do not give anything away cheaply at this level.

Beavis was our best player on the Field (once again). But there shouldn't have been a replay and we have no one to blame but ourselves for that.

http://url.ie/d6lv

BY-ELECTION IF McGUINNESS WINS


Published on Thursday 22 September 2011 13:27

MARTIN McGuinness is to resign his seat as MP for Mid Ulster should he be elected as President of Ireland.

Speaking to the Mid Ulster Mail Mr McGuinness said: "If I am lucky enough to be elected there would have to be a by-election in the Mid Ulster constituency which no doubt Sinn Fein would participate in and win.

"If I was to become President I would have to detach myself from all political parties and influences. I want to be a President for all the people of Ireland and would do it without fear or favour."

The 61-year-old Sinn Fein MLA had not announced his decision to stand until Sunday after his decision to stand was ratified by the party's Ard Chomhairle,

He lodged his nomination papers on Tuesday in Dublin following a meeting at his Mid Ulster constituency on Monday.

And it is understood his seat as MLA in Mid Ulster could be co-opted to another member of Sinn Fein.

Speaking about Monday's meeting Mr McGuinness said: "I have to say all of them are very excited about my participation in the election. I have had great support from everyone who has spoken to me right across the community.

"I have met unionists who have wished me well and who have said they hoped I get elected," said the deputy First Minister.

"A number of people in the north who lost loved ones as a result of the actions of the north have actually said they hope I do get elected and even offered to work for me during the election."

He said the constituency of Mid Ulster was very important to him. "When I went there in 1997, I went to contest a seat that many people thought was unwinable. But the people of the contituency rallied to my cause and on four occasions I have been elected.

"I always regard the people of south Derry and east Tyrone with a huge amount of respect. Right across the board. The friends that I have made from all sections of the community is probably one of the most heart-warming things that have happened to me over the course of recent times.

"The amount of people I have met within the Protestant churches throughout the north of Ireland and the very close friends I have within those churches, the enormous respect I have for them and for their religious beliefs and also the fact that something hugely important has happened in the north where we have brought conflict to an end and where we have successfully all of us held the hand of friendship to each other," he said.

"Obviously there are the exceptions of those who don't share in that," said the MP.

He said he was getting a tremendous reception on the campaign trail.

"I am in it to win but at the end of the day whatever the democratically expressed wishes of the people of Ireland are I will whole-heartedly accept it,"

Cookstown councillor Ciaran McElhone said Mr McGuinness' constituency office will continue to run as normal during Presidential campaign.

Speculation that Mr McGuinness would stand for president emerged last month leading one punter to place a €100 bet at 25/1 on the MP winning.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

However since Sunday the odds of Mr McGuinness becoming President were slashed.

Several large bets were placed on Mr McGuinness last week ranging between €1,000 to €5,000 even before he revealed his decision to stand.

The odds offered by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power last week on him winning stood between 8/1 and 16/1. So if one punter put €5,000 at 16/1 and Martin wins, the winning bet could be as much as €85,000.

At the time of going to press he was tipped at 3/1 to be elected.

However Mr McGuinness said didn't encourage people to bet on electoral contests. "At the end of the day it is down to the electorate. The bookies are out to make money and the odds have come down markedly but I don't follow the bookies, I follow the people and the reception I get when I travel to meet with the people of Ireland. The amount of goodwill is absolutely amazing."

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: "However, it's Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness who has literally blown the race wide open with his odds slashed from 33/1 into 3/1 second favourite over the past seven days."

The odds for all the candidates are as follows: evens Michael D.Higgins; 3/1 Martin McGuinness; 4/1 Gay Mitchell; 9/1 David Norris; 14/1 Mary Davis; 25/1 Sean Gallagher; 50/1 Dana Rosemary Scallon; 50/1 Labhras O'Murchu.