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Can't get The Irish News in my part of the cpountry but here therewas ne're a mention of  the 9th title win in his coloum on Friday - had he not heard?  Maybe somebody should tell him!

Latest Example - The Ulster Council launched their 125 celebrations in Belfast the other day and while the BBC had a journalist there was no camera so no pictures on the TV.  Would such a thing happen for the IFA when the BBC continue to cover every event watched by two men and a dog.

Could not believe the decision by the ref to give what was a clear penalty to Tipp as a free for over carrying.  The replay clearly shows the Tipp lad playing the sliothar and then being wrestled to the ground .  First the 'steal' that was the Minor final win and now this.  Either God is a cat or they have all sold their souls.

Very interesting article and interview with Marty Clarke in The Age today.  Article is by Martin Flanagan whose family originated in Elphin in the 19th cent.

Flanagan visited Ireland a few years ago and was very impressed at a Mayo/Roscommon champioship game by the fans & McDonnel I seem to remember.

The guests at the Dolan wedding yesterday were up in arms about RTE.  This wedding was fixed two years ago with the belief that if a game was switched to a Saturday it would be because of live coverage. Instead RTE said hey were going to cover it, the GAA switched it to SAturday and then RTE changed their minds and showed the soccer instead and it was too late to change back!!

What a way to run a station!

24th October in Perth - Subiaco presumably.  2nd test @ MCG in Melborne the following week.

I, for one, hope its a success.

A ggreat game this morning between St. Kilda & Sydney.  Very tight throughout with womderful defense & Tadgh back to his very best and a star for the Swans who could have been overrun in the first quarter but held on and could of stolen at the end.  I am not an expert on what constitutes a foul in Aussie Rules but there was no doubt the Swans were on the wrong side of the officials with the count about 3 to 1 against them.  I know they are notpopular with the AFL chiefs but this was ridiculous!

Elsewhere Marty Clarkes Collingwood won but judging by the blogs he had an indifferent game.  Brisbane also lost and Carlton were beaten on Thusday so its 3 down & 1 up for the Paddies down under

I see Central Council have voted to continue/resume the series.  The only sensible decision I suppose if we want to have any influence on the traffic of young players.

Caroline Wilson - leading AFL reporter with the Melborne Age is reporting in tomorrows paper that Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire ( Ma supposed to be from Boyle, Co. Rosc) has returned to Dubai for weekend game from Dublin where he has arranged a game against the Dubs for the end of the season or early 2009.  He says he wants to help re-establish good realations with the GAA
and suggests it might be easier through a club rather than a national team visit.  Alsao it might be easier with a more level headed coach!!

.  They also say that they were shown a video with 61 incidents of foul/indisiplined play from the last series.  A good article - check out Real Footy at The Age website.

More good news from Oz!

I see from todays The Age that Kevin won a goal kicking competition and is progressing very well at Collingwood.  He has just played his first AR match and all seem pleased with his progress though it will still be some time before any question of a senior start comes along.

Cricket is not a topic much reffered to on this Board but a I the only one who saw a big resemblence in the behaviour of the Aussie cricket team in the recent test with India and the behaviour of their IR team on their last visit.  Boorish and always right in what ever they do.  Insulting behaviour towards their opponents and the minute its returned complaining about racism.. Behaviour so bad even some of their own journos are turning against them.

RTE sport have confirmed that Charlton have given the Cork man a 2 year Rookie contract.  They say he has impressed sufficiently in training to be awarded the contract.  Good luck to him and I wonder as Charlton has a famous brewery will they start selling Murphys & Beamish!

Its nice to see how a real sportsman and champion behaves in contrast to some recent examples in my neck of the woods.

I see from the Sydney Swans website that Kennelly is to run in the Ney York Marathon in November to raise funds for Heart Research in memory of his Da - the great Tim

Check out the link there if you feel like helping out or if any body knows him maybe the can contact him and get him to set up a Euro account here to receive donations.

Congrats and best of luck to Marty who is picked to make his AFL debut Saturday night for Collingwood against the Sydney Swans.

Apparently its entirely on merit - not because of injuries or any thing like that.  They say he has made remarkablr progress and can not believe his skill level seeeing that he has been out there less than a year.  His trademark is lifting the ball with his feet straight into his hands.  They have never seen this before apparently.

Game live on Satanta at 10am (our time) tomorrow morning.

I was pleased and felt honoured to be in Croker last Sunday - not as good as the 2002 All-Ireland but not bad.
Funniest moment was just before the first French Penalty was kicked - in the middle of the reasonable hush a lone voice in the Upper Cusack bellowed 'Take your point@  Not bad - also heard a patron inform some D4 types that this was the stadioum the culchies built!
Any other gems?