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[Really - I think you are talking complete bollocks there son.]

McIlroys achievements this year are far greater than anything any other Irish sportsperson has achieved.

Really - I think you are talking complete bollocks there son.

Who has achieved more? Whatever about whether you like him or not, he's won 2 majors and a WGC event, and is ranked #1 in the world. I'm struggling to think of an Irish sports person with a better roll of honour than that in  2014.

Katie Taylor won the European Amateur title for the 6th time this year. If she retains her world title in November she would have achieved comparable results to Rory imho.

And she's Irish....

As British as Rory, qualifies to fight for them if she wants...

The transfer fee that's been reported is crazy for a player of his standard.
Real Madrid laughing all the way to the bank.

Cannot see his signing being a success. Is a player of some ability but isn't in Bale's league (who himself is light years behind CR7). English game won't suit him either.

Following the plane hostage drama where he spoke to the perp., he was interviewed by an English TV newsman. Albert had to explain that the hijacker was a 'pioneer', a teetotaller. When Albert mentioned that the perp wanted the third secret of Fatima revelaed, the newsman asked him "And what on earth is that?" The look Albert gives him is priceless! "It's a religious secret. It's not for me to say." Look here at 3 minutes in;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Q6Z1xmoSY

Feeling Joe was misled (perhaps by the board) as to the quality available to him. Anyone on the ground knew Galway had hardly a player worth talking about in those years.

An absolutely terrible signing for 'Pool. Suarez may have been hair-trigger but there's no comparison between them as finishers. Balotelli will break Rodger's heart, mark my words.

Lar was poorish against Cork but still did a few good things. His history v KK is mixed but until someone as good as him with that indefinable bit of extra class comes along, I think he's worth persisting with.

For all KK's fans hype of him, TJ Reid has been quiet *from play* in a number of big games this year, e.g. league final, draw with Galway, (MOTM in replay in fairness), quietish v Dublin and again v Lk. Indeed KK's forwards in general haven't set the c'ship alight; Colin Fennelly has been consistent and good, Eoin Larkin works hard but has not to date been a major scoring threat, Henry's impact has been largely marginal, Richie Power is dangerous but has been injury-plagued, Mark Kelly and Walter Walsh have just been poor and Taggy hasn't been starting.  Could KK suddenly go the way of MU??!!!!!

[By happy coincidence, today is 'kick a ginger' day. Many people are advocating it, on twitter and elsewhere.]

By happy coincidence, today is 'kick a ginger' day. Many people are advocating it, on twitter and elsewhere.

I'm interested to see what logic you all use for differentiating, given that there must be a difference. There certainly is in the criminal investigation rate.

When does "kick a k***ker "day come?

That a tat on the inside of her right arm?

[Di Maria]

Red issue have quoted Denis Irwin (?) saying expect a massive announcement within 48 hrs !? Brace brace...

Di Maria, Vidal, Daley Blind, Cuadrado and Rojo. 3 out of that 5 to join hopefully.  Throw in Benatia too.

Veron MkII and Heinze MkII respectively.

[From Ireland, Rory McIlroy]

They just introduced him on the first tee.

From Ireland, Rory McIlroy


Hope winker Watson enjoyed that!

Northern Ireland I think I heard them say.

His driving off the tee over the past month must have been at a level scarcely seen in the game's history - quite exceptional.

Rapidly becoming the greatest sportsman this island has produced.

Second time this year he played an unbelieveable approach with a 3 wood - missed the putt for the win last time, earlier in the year.

Galway to win by 2. It will be shock of the season so far

You ain't kiddin.!

Last year Galway bet Armagh and ran Cork close I don't think its known yet with wins over Tipperary,Sligo if Galway have progessed much more this year.

Its a different side to last year though, its a younger team. Only 7 of the team who started against Cork in the qualifies last year started against Tipp last Saturday. Those younger players are more important to the day this year than they were last year. That's progress to me.

O'Neill, Moore, P Varley, FOC, Flynn, Walsh, Cummins, Lundy, Comer, Burke & A Varley should in theory be better players next year.

There's still a few of the recent U-21's to come through yet. Lads that maybe physically or mentally weren't ready this year. Thinking about the likes of Ian Burke, Cathal Mulryan, James Shaughnessy, Sean Moran,  Michael Boyle, etc. Will probably see more of some of those next year.

Meant to include Mulryan as he is on the panel already.
Boyle must be a couple of years older than the rest of them? Why isn't he on the panel currently?
As usual looks like there's a lot of excellent attacking players coming through and were a bit short on quality defenders.

Boyle not good enough, had a few chances already last year in the league but didn't stand out. Moran didn't as yet feature for the Seniors I think, but I don't rate him too highly TBH, big strong lad but not a lot of football in him. Shaughnessy on the panel already as is Mulryan, who was at least a very good U-21 player. Ian Burke was away for the summer; should be a good one if he pushes on, though a tad light yet. Gary Kelly of Wiliamstown had a great reputation at Minor level, but doesn't as yet seem to going up to the next level; could probably do with playing for a stronger / more prominent club.

He's a brutal co-commentator or analyst, the Connacht Pat Spillane!

At least Pat Spillane was a good footballer.