Messages

Have you been in Thurles? I have. Big wide main street with cafes, bars and restaurants. Not a big town but works well for big match day. Nothing like Clones.
ps: Thurles is where the GAA was founded... so no matter what the town it should have a stadium. Clones never should have developed a stadium. I understand the 1980's midset of supporting deprived border areas and not having to pay match tax to Maggie Thatcher at the time but it was a very poor location choice.

What has the 1980s got to do with it?

I didnt realise I would have to explain what the 1980's had to do with Clones... and you a Monaghan man Maguire!
The decision to re-develop Clones was taken in the 1980's.. at a time when the border areas were economically deprived. I'm not saying much has changed in that resepct but Clones was a poor choice even back then. Casement was always a better long term option.

I buy the Irish news for GAA coverage and always buy another paper for quality news and insight.
Bottom line.. The Irish News is excellent for Sport and mainly GAA. They have sharp angles are usually on the money as things happen and have some quality respected journos.
As for the rest of the paper.. God help us. As has been mentioned above, it is just filler. As for Meabh Connolly, I flick past at speed in case I catch sight of yet another cringe worthy headline. A full page of soap info? Jesus, Irish News, wise up!

Totally agree, Belfast is easily Irelands best city. I'm there for work regularly and stay on the odd weekend. It has everything and the shopping is top notch to keep herself happy. The value for money is streets ahead of say Kilkenny, Galway or Cork. ...as for Dublin well sure you'd need to take out a mortgage to go for a good weekend there!

Have you been in Thurles? I have. Big wide main street with cafes, bars and restaurants. Not a big town but works well for big match day. Nothing like Clones.
ps: Thurles is where the GAA was founded... so no matter what the town it should have a stadium. Clones never should have developed a stadium. I understand the 1980's midset of supporting deprived border areas and not having to pay match tax to Maggie Thatcher at the time but it was a very poor location choice.

Rather strangely I have only recently started reading GL and I think it's excellent. My main problem is it's availability. I travel for work and can rarely find it in main retail outlets especially across Belfast, Antrim and Down.
The fact that GL is still going strong shows how they have hit the mark and are totally inside the heads of the average Ulster gael.

Interesting thread. Whilst I completely share the amazement that Tohill was ommitted... why do people insist on mentioning players who most of us never even heard of and never even won a Sigerson. I mean, Justin and Enda McNulty? Justin never even won a Sigerson. Enda won one after about 10 years at college. I wouldnt be throwing out awards to people who flunked their exams just to continue some pipe dream of playing football.

As for the biased Tommy Joe. If the 15 players selected were UUJ players, Tommy Joe would still be complaining. I have never met the man but his reputation proceeds him.

I take what you are saying Donelli but one big hill up to a major stadium is mental. Yeah the colour is great but the town is an absolute kip and the Ulster final brightens it up but a new stadium at Casement would add to the attraction of the GAA. Major finals should be in major cities... not some hole in the middle of no-where.

The argument that the Ulster final should not be taken out of Clones is an absolute nonsense. Why a stadium was ever built in Clones was crazy anyway... a clear case of gepgraphical inertia in that there was a big hill in Clones, it could hold a big crowd back in the stone ages... so lets retain it and put our stadium there. Regardless of the fact that Clones town is a dump, poor road access, a nightmare to get out of (especially when you loose!) and is so bad that it puts people off going!

I'm a Donegal man living in Sligo and I would travel to Casement any day of the week over Clones. There is also the benefit of making a weekend of it in Belfast for a big game. The best thing about Clones is the "Slán abhaile" sign.

I look forward to the re-development of Casement, especially if it means I never have to go to Clones again.

Anyone any idea who will win the Sigerson cup this year? I have heard that the Cork teams are strong as are UCD and Queen's.
Anyone any idea where the strong freshers are this year and who will win that. DIT won last year which was unusual.

I have to say, I am really dissapointed in the BBC's Thomas Kane is all of this sorry episode. Jerome Quinn has proved himself to be a genuine man of principle who is willing to stand up for what he believes in. Kane is just spineless and is probably more interested in his own career development than any bigger picture that may arise. A small man with a narrow selfish agenda.

Has anyone read Darragh O'Sheas book? Thinking of buying it but not if it's just a fluffy bit of niceboy stuff. Does it really get into issues about playing with the Kerry team? Does he talk in detail about how he trains etc?
Would appreciate an insight.. cheers

A wee bit more grass roots GAA and sure why not. Queen's Freshers this time, from this afternoon up at the Dub. Watch out for the lads on the town tonight..
http://www.jeromequinnmedia.com/watch/Queens-Freshers-GAA-2010-11-255//

Excellent feature. Well done Jerome Quinn. Enjoyed his interview in the Gaelic Life. He is a big asset to GAA.
Enjoyed the Queen's freshers feature. The Irish news seems to ignore this quality competition which leaves it hard for teh likes of myself to keep up to date.

Tom is easily the most progressive candidate. During his spell as Ulster president he was exceptional in many ways. His reaching out to the Unionist community was quality and not just lip service as is the case with many GAA execs.
Tom for president. He will win hands down imo.