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Louth were winning by 4 or 5 points, but Longford came back well to get the draw. Number 25, not listed on the program, came on and made a big difference. Both teams had chances to win it at the death. Replay on Wednesday.

I hate to take a leaf out of the RTE panelists books but this years championship must be the worst by far in living memory.

one thing appears clear - the gap between the top teams and the middle ranking teams is getting ever-wider.

Few chances of shocks, never mind suprise results and many thrashings.

I think we sometimes have short memories. For practically the whole of the 70s and 80s, there was little or no hope of a Connact or Ulster champion beating a Leinster or Munster champion.

Its not even July and at the start of the championship most thought that nobody would get near Tyrone or Kerry. And maybe that's the way it'll finish, but Cork are definitely genuine contenders and Mayo, Galway, Kildare and Dublin have big games in them. And there's no doubt at least one of Armagh, Monaghan, Derry will get a new lease of life in the qualifiers.

When Kearney made the breakthrough with Leinster, I was an instant fan, but I was also sick that the Dubs had lost what undoubtedly would have been a top drawer GAA player if he gave primary focus to gaelic football. Relieved when I was told he wasn't a Dub!

Cracking game, sickening end. The last test would have been just sensational if it wasn't a dead rubber. Although injuries may mean there's a shadow team out.

The Lions were absolutely superb in the first half, and Kearney was magnificent, but in the second they just couldnt get on the front foot.

People talking, especially in the media, about Shaw being great. Before the game I thought his selection was an error, because his weaknesses (mainly his stupidity) outweigh his strenghts. So I kept a close eye on him and I'm going to go completely against the grain and say he cost Lions the game as much as O'Gara. Yes, he was superb in the loose and better than expected in the lineout but Shaw gave away 5 penalties in the match, everyone of them needless, 4 of which came in the first half, without which its likely the Lions would have been out of sight at half time.

I believe Fourie was in touch for the try, but the cameras didnt show it either way. The last picture you can see is he is clearly in field but Philips clatters him from the side and you see Fourie's feet sliding towards the sideline and then the picture of his feet is blocked from all angles just as he touches down. I think its lkely his feet touched the line before he got the ball down but it was a 50/50 call.

Regardless of the name, the Irish have been as much a part of the Lions as the English, Scots and Welsh since it all started back 100 years ago.

And if yu still havent read it, Im still looking for something as grippingas the Da Vinci Code.

Did you not think that "Angels and Demons" was more gripping?

I read a book called "The Shakespeare Secret" by some bird, which was pretty good. Though you do have to forget that its a bit of a rip off of the Da Vinci code.

[other than Ryanair]

Finally got through to them and baby needs own passport! Have to try and get passport in 1 day by going to passport office, need flight confirmation before they will rush it, cant get flight confirmation without passport. Red f**king tape!

For all carriers other than Ryanair, a passport is not required when travelling internal in Ireland or between Ireland and the UK.
Last year I brought my young lad to the UK on Aer Lingus without any ID for him.

Delighted for Fitzgerald. Hope he does himself justice.

Would be 9 Irish starting if Ferris and Flannery were fit!

That's desperate. Thoughts with the family.

A couple of weeks back, the 3 Sisters - the Nore, Suir and Barrow, each claimed a young life in one weekend. The Shannon got somebody too the same weekend.

Looks like the message should be to keep out of rivers. Lots of hidden dangers.

The Unit - never hear much talk about it but it's a great show

Agreed.

But it must be over a year since I've seen it. Is it finished or what channel shows it?

Well the Villa one is the best rumour of the summer anyway!

If there is any truth in it, then one or both of Alonso and Mascherano would have to be on the way out to help fund it.

The rumour is Benzema isnt all that keen on Utd, as he doesnt want to be playing second fiddle to Rooney/Berbatov thus potentially ruining his ambition of playing for France in the world cup next summer. But you'd imagine he could be persuaded. Of course Lyon will hold out for as much money as they can.

Rescue Me was recommended to me.
Have just started watching it, looks alright - Tommy certainly has a few "issues".

Has anyone seen it?? Think there's about 6 seasons in all.

I really enjoyed Rescue Me. There is one element to it thats a bit weird, but if you can get over that you'll enjoy it. His crew are a great gang!

New signing 

Liverpool have completed the capture of teenage striker Aaron King from Rushden and Diamonds.

King, 16, impressed during a recent trial period with the Anfield giants and has now signed a two-year scholarship agreement.

"We are all absolutely thrilled for Aaron - this is a brilliant achievement for everyone involved in his development throughout the five years that he has been with us," Rushden's head of youth development Paul Driver told the club's official website.

ROG missed a sitter of a kick in the early stages, but played well after that. The early substitution was pre-planned, and O'Gara has at least secured his place on the bench ahead of Hook. But not sure he did enough to get ahead of Jones.

Never been a big fan of O'Callaghan, don't think I'd have him in the Ireland side (Cullen), but I think he's played well on this tour and again played well today. As did Shaw. I'd pick DOC on Saturday - Shaw gives away too many pens for my liking.

Very difficult for the backs, conditions were awful. Earls was probably the pick of them, but he's not a contender for Saturday. Very little to choose between Luke and Shane. If Byrne is fit I'd play him at 11 and Kearney at 15 (Kearney the steadier at full back, Byrne the better finisher). By the sounds of things though Byrne won't be fit, so 11  is up for grabs. I really hope they don't give Monye another chance. Interesting hearing both Greenwood and Evans saying Monye deserves to be dropped after Wallace said he would give him another go.