Messages

This is the boy (2nd on the right) who controls the BBCNI sports coverage:

He was talking about the younger guy - his name is Shane Glynn. He's "Executive Producer Sport for BBC Northern Ireland".  He's the one who has been "negotiating" with RTE about GAA coverage.

The older guy that's standing next to him (with the beard) is Mike Edgar , "Head of Sport for BBC Northern Ireland".

The situation with the crowd on the hill was a joke yesterday. I arrived at 11.40 and we weren't allowed in. The stewards wanted clarification from the Ulster Council that the Hill Terrace actually meant the Hill and not the O'Duffy terracing behind the goals. I asked some official how they had left it to an hour after the place opened to get this clarification and he told me to effectively get lost. The crowd began to get bigger and they still weren't letting us in. Thankfully somebody gave the go ahead but clearly from other people's posts the organisation seems to be have been a shambles. One of the stewards said that problems with overcrowding occured at the Down V Armagh game and they didn't want it repeated.

That's an absoute disgrace.  I was at the Armagh v Down game the last day and could only get tickets for the Hill (which wasn't ideal as I have young chlidren).  That day I probably spent more time keeping an eye out to make sure they weren't being trampled, than I probably did as to what was going on on the field.  the Hill was absoultely bunged - steps and passageways packed full with spectators.  I couldn't understand why the O'Duffy terrace looked so empty.  When you're in that type of situation you can't help but think of major disasters that have happened in other sporting stadiums.

For Sunday's game we were in the Eastern stand, and the problem there was that a lot of people sat wherever they felt like (and not according to seats per ticket) - and other people came along to sit in the seats as printed on their tickets - and nobody would move.  when I watched the match later that evening you could see a few empty sections within the stand, and yet the reality was in other sections people were virtually sitting on top of each other. 

Health and safety issues should be a major priority - but what can you do when you have stewards who obviously either cannot read, or have not familarised themselves with the layout of the grounds?  The ground regulations as per programme states "a person may not obstruct a gangway, stairway or circulation area at any time".  At the Down v Armagh game the stewards and the garda let people congregate like that well before throw-in but did not move them on.  Could they not see that the O'Duffy terrace or any other areas have spare capacity and move people onto those areas rather than excluding them totally?  I feel sorry for those people then who did not get into the ground, when they had paid for their tickets - especially when it is down to poor organisation on the GAA's part.   It's a shame that this situation was allowed to happen again, and spoiled the day for so many.

Anyone got any idea who is refereeing the game, jasus i have a watched a few games already and some of them are rubbish, Mc Enaney is still the best there is, BTW i hope its not that whore Bannon

David Coldrick is refereeing Sunday's game.

http://ulster.gaa.ie/2008/06/12/cavan-v-armagh-event-info/

f**king hell!  A majority on orchardcounty were teenagers however there was a right few of decent posters and Barry seemed a decent sort.  I had seen the poll on McDonnell (if he should be dropped)l, I think it arose out of a thread on the same subject and I had seen  someone say Tierney had mentioned it in his article.  I didn't read the threads however I'd be shocked if anything out of order was said or allowed to remain on any of them, one of my biggest criticisms of orchardcounty was that there was f**k all criticism of the players allowed.  There is certainly a lot more criticism of players on this site and in fact armagh posters on this site were criticised on orchardcounty last year due to some of the criticism we had dished out to players and management. 
I would be interested to know the lead up to the closing of the site as I would doubt anything libel was said so I wonder was it just a case of Barry not being bothered with the hassle or if he'd be contacted, I don't think he made any secret of his identity. 

I can only describe Tierney and McDonnell (if he's been yapping again) as pathetic!  Absolutely pathetic! The pair must have nothing else to worry them if they're annoyed about a silly poll amongst teenagers. Sad and pathetic lads. 

I too would have to agree with most of that.  I used to be a regular visitor to the orchardcounty, but it had gone downhill the last time I was on.  Most of the good contributors had gone already, so only a few were left, whilst those who were on most were unfortunately teenage girls, who used orchardcounty for all the wrong reasons - more socialising and more about who fancied Aaron Kernan the most or whatever! 

I didn't see the forums regarding McDonnell on OC, nor did I see what Benny Tierney said in the Irish News.  But what is it coming to when GAA supporters cannot express their opinions honestly?  If Armagh play really badly in future games, are we all to put the tinted-glasses on and say they played brilliantly?!  If you can't have a reasonable debate about GAA related issues - which includes the negatives as well as the positives - then what is the point?   Did Steven McDonnell actually have cause for concern regarding what was being said about him?  Or was it just Benny Tierney saying what he thought?  When you think about it then, Tierney can say what he thinks, but others, for example on forums, can't if it comes across in a negative way? 

You could argue too, that maybe some negativity helps players - they'll work harder to prove a point to others; helps them up their game.  Did this happen McDonnell if he was aware of criticism? Or maybe by the time he got to the Roscommon game, he had just made it through his bad patch?  Or maybe, the opposition had a bad day at the office?

Others have mentioned the fact that GAA are not professionals, so we don't have a right to complain or criticise.  Fair enough.  But do we not have to pay our hard earned cash in to watch games on a regular basis.  Can we not say what we think, even if it is negative, as long as we back it up with a reasonable argument.  I don't believe in criticising for the sake of it - you need to back up what is said.  If you went to a restaurant where the food was alright, but the service was bad, would you not say anything for fear of upsetting somebody or being accused of making a libellous statement.

I do not know Barry Coleman personally, but I do believe he was a decent fella.  I know that he has been heavily involved in helping GAA clubs set up their own websites.  He is a genuine GAA fanatic.  He worked hard on orchardcounty, but he can't be on 24/7 - he has to work for a living like the rest of us.  His site has though, been badly affected by some of the contributors in the past - mostly the teenage "I love Aaron/Ronan" etc brigade.  At the same time though, he had some great contributors.  the site itself was normally a good reference point for fixtures, results etc.  Hopefully, he can bring the site back again some time in the future - minus the teenage girls who have little or no GAA knowledge!  He needs to be supported though by a good team of moderators, keeping an eye on what is being posted. 

According to today's "Lurgan Mail", Eugene Creaney states that Paul Kernan, Brendan McKeown and David McKenna have been added to the Armagh panel - raising the Crossmaglen contingent to 9.

He also writes: "Steven McDonnell should be fit for Sunday but Andy Mallon is still carrying a shoulder injury and Enda McNulty may not be fully fit.  Cahrlie Vernon is also out and currenlty Philip Loughran is being treated for a back injury".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/6994842.stm

[Rafferty confirms he's not interested in Armagh job]

Rafferty confirms he's not interested in Armagh job

John Rafferty, who spent the 2007 season as assistant manager to Joe Kernan, has told the 'Mail' that he is "not interested" in the vacant Armagh job.

Rafferty who was a committed defender for many years with Armagh would be remembered in particular for his head to head battle's with Down's James McCartan.  He brought Belfast side St Gall's to an All Ireland Club Final last season but the then Antrim champions lost narrowly to Salthill.

John said "To be honest, with a young family to attend to and an increasing workload at school (Abbey CBS Newry) I would find it very difficult to give any form of commitment to the Armagh set up.  I was more than glad to have been involved with Joe (Kernan) this year.  Things didn't go exactly how we planned but I would suggest that a new manager would still have a lot of good players around to select from".

"Despite some speculation I was never going to run for the Armagh job.  I don't know whether or not I would pop up with a club somewhere down the line but all of that would be decisions for after Christmas".

With John Rafferty and former Under 21 boss Peter Rafferty both ruled out it now looks likely that either Paul Grimley or current under 21 manager Peter McDonnell would be installed as Armagh boss.

Grimley it is believed is popular with the more experienced members of the squad, while McDonnell would carry more weight for the under 21s who are attempting to make a breakthrough.

The week the 'Mail' spoke to Armagh Board chairman Kevein Brady who said "The nominations are now in place and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.  That's all I can say on the subject at the moment".


Eugene Creaney, 'Lurgan Mail', 16 August 2007

[McIver wants his Donegal job back]

McIver wants his Donegal job back 

Brian McIver has told the Donegal GAA board that he wants to manage the county's senior football team in 2008.

County PRO Seamus O'Donnell confirmed on Thursday that McIver is one of three people to apply for the position even though he quit the job last month.  "The position now is that we have to look at all three applicants equally," added the Donegal official.

The other two applicants are believed to be ex-Fermanagh boss Charlie Mulgrew and Jim McGuinness.

The Donegal PRO refused to reveal the identity of the two other contenders but he did confirm that they had submitted their applications prior to McIver's shock announcement of his u-turn.

Mulgrew stepped down as Fermanagh boss in July after a four-year stint which included an All-Ireland semi-final place appearance in 2004.   Former Donegal midfielder McGuinness guided Gweedore to the Donegal title two years ago.

Speculation emerged last weekend over McIver's change of heart over the Donegal job.

The Tyrone man stepped down as team boss in July after Donegal had crashed out to Monaghan in the All-Ireland qualifiers. McIver's decision was something of a surprise as he had steered Donegal to the county's first ever Allianz National Football League title in April.

Despite this week's surprise events in Donegal, the county is unlikely to have a manager in place until early next month.  One of the candidates is on holiday for another 10 days while county secretary Crona Regan, who will be centrally involved in the appointment of the next manager, is also on a break at the moment.

When he announced his decision to quit, McIver insisted he would not return to county management.  However, there has been speculation that his backroom team convinced him to change his mind.

The Donegal board has not imposed any deadline for applications so, in theory, other candidates could also put their names forward for the job.   However, with strong candidates such as McIver and Mulgrew in the race, that appears unlikely.


From BBC page, Thursday 16 August 2007


In yesterday's Irish News Joe Kernan said he had been approached by 2 counties - would Donegal have been one of them?

yes, generally anything by Ocean Colour Scene, is pretty good.  Mind you, trying to get a decent video which wasn't filmed by someone on their mobile phone on 'youtube' was nearly imposiible - which was why I just posted that one.

the "Live Acoustic at the Jam House" is a great album.  One of my favourites on there is "Won't Get Grazed".

yeah, agree with that armaghniac - would like to have heard something we haven't heard before.  Joe Kernan is a gentleman - I could listen to him all night.  But I wish interviews would be a bit more in-depth.

Green Day "Wake Me Up When September Ends" - always reminds me of the Armagh v Tyrone AI semi-final in 2005 ......  , but I never tire of listening to it.  It makes me me think of 'what might have been?'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4qfCNQB6s


another great song (but much better sung live): Ocean Colour Scene "Beautiful Thing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV4_AbEwKY8

Monaghan
Sligo
Derry
Meath
Tyrone
Cork
Dublin
Kerry

dear God, some people are real pernickety.  orangeman was just trying to say that he felt that Joe Kernan was a gentleman.  Which he was.  I know all managers should behave in this way, but not all of them do.  So dear love orangeman - he was just trying to be nice.

Football qualifiers, Murphy Cup dates and venues revealed
25 June 2007


The times, dates and venues for the All-Ireland football qualifiers and Tommy Murphy Cup first round ties have been announced.

Five of the eight All-Ireland qualifiers will be have a 7pm throw-in on Saturday, July 7. The games between Fermanagh and the losers of next Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final between Laois and Wexford, and Armagh and Derry, will take place at 2pm and 4pm respectively on Sunday, July 8, while Roscommon will host Kildare at Dr Hyde Park at 3pm the previous day.

Both of the Sunday games could yet be played as a double-header at Clones as Enniskillen, which was out of commission during the National League due to upgrading work, may not be ready to host the Fermanagh v Laois/Wexford clash. Armagh's meeting with Derry will definitely go ahead at Clones.

On the Saturday evening, Limerick will play Louth at the Gaelic Grounds, Castlebar will host the meeting of Mayo and Cavan, Newry is the venue for Down v Meath, Westmeath will have home advantage in Mullingar for their clash with Longford, while Leitrim will entertain Donegal in Carrick-on-Shannon.

In the Tommy Murphy Cup, Kilkenny face Antrim in a preliminary round tie next Saturday, June 30 at Nowlan Park, with the winners travelling to Ruislip to play London in the first round proper on July 7 at 3pm.

The remaining three first round fixtures will also be played on July 7 at 7pm. Carlow must travel to Dungarvan to face Waterford, Wicklow host Offaly in Aughrim and Tipperary take on Clare in Ardfinnan.


Saturday 30 June

Tommy Murphy Cup - Preliminary Round

Kilkenny v Antrim, Nowlan Park, 3.00


Saturday 7 July

Football Qualifier - Round 1

Limerick v Louth, Páirc na nGael, 7.00

Mayo v Cavan, Castlebar, 7.00

Down v Meath, Newry, 7.00

Roscommon v Kildare, Hyde Park, 3.00

Westmeath v Longford, Cusack Park, 7.00

Leitrim v Donegal, Carrick-on-Shannon, 7.00


Tommy Murphy Cup - Round 1

Waterford v Carlow, Dungarvan, 7.00

Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim, 7.00

Tipperary v Clare, Ardfinnan, 7.00

London v Kilkenny or Antrim, Ruislip, 3.00


Sunday 8 July

Football Qualifier - Round 1

Fermanagh v Laois/Wexford, Enniskillen/Clones, 2.00

Armagh v Derry, Clones, 4.00

(hoganstand)

From BBC

Dad worried about McGuigan injury

The father of Tyrone's Brian McGuigan fears his son might never play again because of a serious eye injury.
Frank McGuigan, a former Tyrone player and All Star, has revealed that Brian is facing further specialist surgery to repair damage to his eye.
The Ardboe forward has had two recent operations on an eye that was severely damaged in a reserve club game in May.
"Having spoken at some length with his consultant, my personal fear is that he may never play again," said Frank.
"My son went through an operation on Wednesday afternoon in the Royal Victoria Hospital and had to lie on is side from then until Thursday morning.
"He then returned home but has still had to lie on his side until Tuesday of this week."
Brian McGuigan had recovered from a broken leg sustained more than a year ago when he suffered a setback with a related ankle injury.
It was while making a recovery from the ankle problem that he turned out for his club in a reserve league game against Aghyaran in an effort to get some match time under his belt.

Apparently Frank has sent an open letter to a Tyrone paper on this matter, criticising the media at length, anyone see it?

I haven't seen the Tyrone Times, but the Irish Star had this story today:

"My Brian May Never Play Again"

Tyrone Legend Frank McGuigan has revelaed his fears that son Brian may never play football again.

Brian was forced to lie still in his bed for almost a week after the latest in a series of operations aimed at repairing a detached retina and saving the sight in his left eye.

Luckless Red Hand star McGuigan watched last Sunday's Ulster semi-final win over Donegal from his bed.  He sustained the injury in a club reserve game last month against Aghyaran, as he continued his comeback from a horrific broken leg.

Frank wrote an open letter to a local newspaper this week to clear up misinformation about his son's state.  "My son went through an operation last Wednesday and had to lie on his side until Thursday, when he had a follow-up operation", wrote Frank.  "He then returned home but has still had to lie on his side until Tuesday of this week at least.  "Having spoken at some length with his consultant, my personal fear is that he may never play football again", contiuned the letter in the 'Tyrone Times'.

McGuigan went on to slam a story which stated that his son could return in time for the Ulster Final.  "That puts into perspective the ridiculous story which appeared a couple of weeks ago in some newspapers, on teletext and websites, which suggested that Brian might return in time for the Ulster Final, should Tyrone make it there", he said.   "The author did not get that information from anyone who has anything to do with Brian and we were far from happy at its appearance."

Frank has been critical of the Aghyaran club for their lack of interest in Brian since the injury occurred.  It has never been revealed how the injury actually happened.

"Initially Brian was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and, after some emergency treatment, he was home for a few days before going to the Royal Victoria, where they worked to try and put the retina back," the letter continued.  "The Consultant explained that it was being held together by two wee bits at 12 o'clock and six o'clock positions.  On Wednesday they inserted a 'bubble' to try and move everything back into its proper place - a very painful process as it was only under local anaesthetic".

Frank revealed that his son's primary concern is that his sight returns in his left eye.  "As for the future, Brian hasn't mentioned playing football, which was all he talked about when it was his leg or ankle that was injured.  Now he's only concerned about getting the sight back in his eye".

- Karl O'Kane, The Irish Star


Dear help him.  I knew it was bad, but I didn't realise it was that bad.  This story puts things into perspective - really your health is the most important thing.  Brian McGuigan is without doubt one of the most talented footballers ever seen in this country, and he has been badly missed.  I hope to God he gets some good luck now, after all the bad luck he has had to endure in recent years.  I wish him a speedy recovery - hopefully we will see him play again soon.