Messages

Any of you fellas recommend a decent Garmin (or other make) watch for golf? 

I've been playing for a few months and am beginning to be able judge how far I can strike a ball with each club (if I connect properly). 


I've had a look online and am none the wiser and I'm not really looking to break the bank either!

I use the Garmin Approach S20 GPS Watch
I've probably had it 18-24months & I've no complaints at all.  Used to use a rangefinder as I didn't like the thought of wearing a watch while playing golf (didn't even wear a watch at all at that point).  Went ahead and bought the watch anyway; rangefinder is rarely out of the bag now.

[Could Upper Bann be in play at all for a pact?]

Any word of reciprocal moves from Alliance in South Belfast/ North Down, couldn't see them doing it in NB TBF.

Would have thought the Green's would withdraw in North Down and East Belfast also.

Could Upper Bann be in play at all for a pact?

Or even South Antrim to help out UU they prob burnt that bridge by withdrawing from NB?

Couldn't see it. Results from 2017 general election:

DUP 43.5%
SF 27.9%
UUP 15.4%
SDLP 8.6%
Alliance 4.5%

The DUP Brexit result is atrocious. I wouldn't rule out a backlash

I would. Areas like this and north Antrim won't change.

I agree. Upper Bann is a safe DUP seat. Arlene could blow millions on a half baked heating scheme and the DUP wouldn't lose a single vote. The unionists have more in common with free staters than they care to admit.

Will the news of David Simpson standing down have any affect in Upper Bann?

[The key to victory more often than not in provincial championship is experience.]

The key to victory more often than not in provincial championship is experience. Just take a look at all the teams mentioned in the last few pages and they all have vast experience in their respective provincial championship series - Crokes, Corofin, Cross, Derrygonnelly, Kilcoo, Ballyboden. To a lesser extent Naomh Conaill and Clontibret but these 2 have consistently reached finals within their own county. Yes of course, a team can come from nowhere to win it but not often. The likes of Cargin, Magherafelt, Trillick etc need to get there for a few seasons on the trot but they can't even get out of their own county again to do that. Fair play to the teams that win their own county consistently - they deserve a provincial title if they get it but they are not easy won.

I agree with that to a certain extent but ulster is littered with champions that have little or no experience of competing at that level:
Gaoth Dobhair 2018
Slaughtneil 2014
Loup 2003
Ballinderry 2001
Dungiven 1997
Crossmaglen 1996
Mullaghbawn 1995
Bellaghy 1994
Errigal Ciaran 1993
So in the past 25 years a third of the champions have "came from nowhere"

Then you have the clubs that have gained plenty of experience at ulster club level but haven't had the breakthrough
Cargin
Scotstown
St Eunan's
Kilcoo
Mayobridge
Roslea
Enniskillen Gaels
Derrygonnelly
Castleblayney (post '91 team)

To suggest Slaughtneil were strolling through Derry is just nonsense. They won because they were the best team but some of their Derry championship games were tougher than some of the Ulster club games.

Awk oakleaf wise up they strolled through it, yes it was because they were an exceptional team but they still walked through it

But in 2014 Slaughtneil won their first Derry title in 10 years and went on to win Ulster... how does this fit the narrative that you need to be regularly competing in Ulster to win it??

It certainly helps. The fact is Slaughtneil were coming back again and again after that, they pipped an Omagh side in the final who had just won their first Tyrone title in 26 years.

But the Derry championship is litter with one-off (or first-time) winners going on to in Ulster in the same season; why not Tyrone... maybe because they aren't good enough!!??

Bellaghy 1994
Dungiven 1997
Ballinderry 2001
Loup 2003

To suggest Slaughtneil were strolling through Derry is just nonsense. They won because they were the best team but some of their Derry championship games were tougher than some of the Ulster club games.

Awk oakleaf wise up they strolled through it, yes it was because they were an exceptional team but they still walked through it

But in 2014 Slaughtneil won their first Derry title in 10 years and went on to win Ulster... how does this fit the narrative that you need to be regularly competing in Ulster to win it??

I work in construction- main contractor takes 35% RCT Tax off my invoice and pays to ROI Revenue. I then have to reclaim it.

Speak to your accountant, should only be 20% you are losing.

0% up to date tax compliance
20% substantially up to date
35% poor tax compliance or not registered

Leagues are for playing in....

Any truth in the rumours circulating in Owenbeg on Sunday night that the league structures are changing again next year to a 16 team division 1, giving Dungiven and Banagher a reprieve from Intermediate status?

Never heard the rumour but Dungiven & Banager aren't intermediate next year!  In 2020, if the structures remain the same, they will both still play in the senior championship as the finished in the top 15/16 in the league (depends on who wins the intermediate championship) in 2019; in 2020, they will play their league football in Division 1B - if they finish in the top 3/4* (again depending on who wins the intermediate championship) in 2020 they will still play senior championship in 2021

*even if they don't they can still put themselves forward to play in the senior championship as far as i know.  Glenullin did it a few years ago but i don't know if that ruling has changed.

[It was definitely the correct decision in the end, but I'm wondering did the ref see the replay on the big screen and then change his mind!? His own version of VAR!]

Anyone watch the ladies semi-finals, in particular Galway v Mayo?

The ref had earlier disallowed a Galway goal when the player had burst through a couple of tackles , had a couple of girls hanging out of her and got the shot off (buried into the net) just as the ref whistled. First I thought it might have been a penalty, but then realised the signal was for a free out. I rewound it and the Galway player had taken 10 steps, so the ref got it spot on (makes a change from what we see in the men's game!).

So 30 seconds left at the end, Mayo one point down, the Mayo full forward is bearing down on goal, riding a number of tackles, and is finally nailed with a shoulder to the chest, clear free-in, probably just outside the box, but a handy 14m free. The referee clearly, from my view and from watching it again, is pointing for a free-in. A couple of the Galway players are remonstrating that the Mayo girl hopped it too many times. On replays you could see the Mayo player definitely hopped it twice in a row.

After the replays were shown on TG4, it went back to live play, and much to the commentators surprise, the free was now to Galway! They took the free, ran down the last few seconds, and held on by a point.

It was definitely the correct decision in the end, but I'm wondering did the ref see the replay on the big screen and then change his mind!? His own version of VAR!

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0826/1070917-irate-leahy-claims-var-over-ruled-referee-for-late-free/

Great interview with former Liverpool youth player & Derry native, Sean Friars on Radio Foyle this morning.

Think listen back is available online this evening.

Part 2 is on tomorrow morning.  Part 3 is on Wednesday with interviews with his dad & brother.

[Main aim this year is to get down to 18. But that was my aim last year too!!]

Many golfers on the board with handicaps?? I'm playing off 15 for past few years,can't seem to get any better or worse at it could play 7 days a week if I could find a way to financially support my idea lol

I've a 16 handicap more play more like a 24. Lowest I have been is 12 for two weeks.

Got down to 11 when I was kid but went up consistently at uni and when I started work. Was back at 18 when I broke two bones in my back about 6 years and am only now getting back into the game. Would probably be off 24 now. Have to say though I got a new set of Irons a few months ago. Custom fit to me so a little longer and a little more upright. I wish I had those when playing regularly because I easily got them 15% further and with more accuracy. Didn't realise the difference custom fitting could make.

Playing off 19 ATM, got down to 14 in the winter, target this year is 16.

Currently playing off 21 (20.6).  Lowest I've been is 20.

Starting playing 4 years ago, aside from hacking it around par3 course when i was a cub.  Started off 24 & went up to 25 briefly on 2 occasions.

Driver is my biggest achilles heel.  Had been hitting the driver well (by my standards) over the winter but went to shite yesterday.  Still managed to scramble around for 39 points.  However, it isn't qualifying yet.

Main aim this year is to get down to 18.  But that was my aim last year too!!

Hit my target last night 

Was cut from 20.9 to 19.8 on Sunday.  Then cut from 19.8 to 18.0 last night.

New target... don't go up to 18.5 before the end of qualifying this year 

That was hard to take but i don't think Leeds deserved to get anything out of the game.

But in the lead up to the winning goal there was a blatant dive to try to win a penalty... a free out and a yellow card should've been awarded.  That would've relieved the pressure at that point as it was a frantic few minutes in and around the Leeds box.

However, you can also point to Leeds 2nd being marginally offside.

If all fit and good to go:

                 Postie
McKaigue  Rogers     Keenan
Mooney    McKaigue  McFaul
        Bradley   McAtamney
Lynn        Cassidy      Heron
McGuigan   Bell         Sammy

You'd assume McKaigue and Rogers will pick up Donnelly / McShane if Tyrone have them stationed inside. You just want the squad to give it everything they have. Can't ask for more. Must remember to pack the ear muffs

Best guess - McFaul lining out in the forwards but deployed much deeper and another forward sacrificed at the expensive of a more defence-minded player.

[Milner will be a bit part player next year you could imagine. But good cover.]

It's prob too early to look at where you could strengthen the team for next year. But it's definitely shown a lack of depth in strikers. I'b prob hold on to Origi for another year but cut Sturridge & Shaq loose and try and bring in a younger prospect who will be happy playing 2nd fiddle to the front 3. Midfield is hard to know. You have Gini, Hendersdon, Fabhino (who has had a great year), Ox , Lallana, Kieta, Milner. So a good pool. I can't see Lallana staying but don't think we need too much coming in. Milner will be a bit part player next year you could imagine. But good cover.
Defense might need a bit. Would like to see Lovern and Moreno leave and a decent squad centre half coming in. I'd hold on to Matip. Gomez hopefully along with VVD will be the 1st choice. Would be good to see cover for TAA and Robertson coming in as well.
But the squad isn't in bad shape. Not City standard, but no overhaul needed.

Is Milner out of contract at the end of the season - could he return to Leeds if they get promoted?

https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1126005559482671106

Great move by TAA for the 4th goal but does anyone else think that he initially tried the wee tap corner (10secs into this clip) for shaqiri to come along and take/dribble the ball out of the quadrant?