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GAA Discussion => GAA Discussion => Topic started by: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 10:19:13 AM

Title: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 10:19:13 AM
i thought paddy heaney was always spot on and had a good idea of what was goin on in gaelic games. he was a bit like the bookies in my mind, is never far wrong with most things. then i read the paper this mornin an he, in his sit on the fence section, posts remarks bout a certain m.hasson acting derry county secretary or somethin like that, who at the county convention spoke his mind bout the derry management an got slated for it. above this he has a picture of our very own michael hasson from rasharkin, an antrim delegate for the ulster council.
im sure paddy will eat humble pie by apologising in da moras edition.

i thought paddys edition of against the wined last week, bout the club season bein a twelve month one was excellent, he always touches on topics which you can associate with from grassroots thru to the highest level !


Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Uladh on December 07, 2006, 10:22:07 AM

The reporter would have no responsibility whatsoever for what photos appear beside their article. The first he'd see of it would be when its published, like you or me....
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Donagh on December 07, 2006, 10:43:17 AM
Bollocks he's as bad as any convention delegate – latches onto whatever gripe he overhears in the social club. When was the last time you paid for a ticket Paddy or stood about in pissing rain in sub-zero temperatures? (we know you're here).
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: SlimShady on December 07, 2006, 10:46:40 AM
and apparently he refers to John McSparran as County Secretary also.

classy stuff Patrick, real classy  :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: aontroim on December 07, 2006, 10:51:07 AM
His column used to be fairly entertaining from time to time, now he appears to be trying to make a name for himself slating anything he can find wrong about the GAA - particularly in Antrim.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: believebelive on December 07, 2006, 10:53:10 AM
McSparron is referred to as a secretary in the caption of the photo. It is highly unlikey that Paddy would have had anything to do with that as i would be very unlikely that he had anything to do with what photo was used.
When Heaney actually mentions McSparron in the text of Off the Fence he says he is the Amtrim chairman.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: johnjoe on December 07, 2006, 11:03:25 AM
Slim, loved your comment, classy real classy Patrick. Reminds me of yourself!

Culchie, dont take things about Michael Hasson so personally!!

On Paddy Heaney, have to say his weekly column is usually top notch stuff, but the gremlins got at this weeks edition. Still worth buying the Irish News for tho. Keep er lit Paddy!

On Antrim issues, its hard to see what you would disagree with. Up to Antrim to get their house in order. What I do hate most though, is all the headlines Mc Gourty gets. Let him earn it with his county first. So far he has proved fxxx all at county level, except a first class nuisance. Should be a media ban on him til he plays a dozen good county games!! ( Some player tho).
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: full back on December 07, 2006, 11:12:48 AM
I have spoke about Heaney here before.
Most journalists do look here and indeed many get ideas for their articles from here.
Heaney used to be top notch but I think recently he has gone down the Spillane/Brolly route and tried to create too much controversy.
So in future Paddy dont create controversy and ruffle feathers just for the sake of it, or the next thing you know you will have your picture on a billboard with 'Love Him or Hate Him' beside it
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bennydorano on December 07, 2006, 11:18:01 AM
He's still the best Journo at the Irish News by a long shot and one of my overall favourite GAA commentators.

Not often i would take a county board's side over a manager's, but Crozier made a dick of himself this year.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: drumanee on December 07, 2006, 11:24:52 AM
you's are all talking crap,heaney is a top class journalist and write's on issue's that the normal gaa man on the street can relate to and it seems most of the time you all injoy his articles but you don't like it when he talks about your patch or county,be a bit more broad minded and open to critical analyasis now and then.as far as putting the wrong picture in,as someone has already said that has nothing to do with him
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Maximus Marillius on December 07, 2006, 11:33:24 AM
Have to agree drum, compared to the other journalists in the Irsih News he a real jewel. Kenny liverpool archer, o'Hara, what a toad, he couldn't write about a match if it burned him on the arse, knows as much about gaelic football as Paisley. Brendan Crossan, not to bad and improving, but still doesn't hace anything like the knoiwledge of Heaney.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: thewobbler on December 07, 2006, 11:35:05 AM
I'd say Paddy is suffering from the same thing that most GAA followers suffer at this time of year - there is so little happening that you're stuck for conversation points.

The quality of his column has dwindled a bit over the years, but that's the nature of the beast. When he started writing Against the Breeze, to fill in the quieter weeks he could call upon a wealth of general GAA topics and ideas that he had stockpiled over the years. Those quieter weeks produced many of his best articles as they were ideas that were probably fermenting for months.

But a stockpile like that is always going to dry up at some stage. If you've no stockpile and very few topical issues worth discussing, it's going to be to difficult to write a interesting column. Yet Heaney still does much better than most in this regard.

Let's not forget that the Ulster intercounty scene is hardly bursting with personalities to explore, and that players and managers at that level are more than likely to close up shop if a rigorous examination of their weaknesses or faults is undertaken. As the Irish News relies on strong relations with players and managers to sell papers on the back of their GAA coverage, controversy of this nature I'd say is avoided at all costs.  
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 11:44:18 AM
ok ok dont fuckin shit ursel.

aye i know anyone can make a mistake every now an then.
but i wudnt put my name agin somethin if i wasnt sure it wud be rite.
an i agree i enjoy readin paddys dont pee agin the breeze every week
he makes much better readin than that wee mchugh gabshit in the irish star

u dont have 2 be controversial 2 b a good journalist though
but paddys in the business o shiftin papers
an talkin all airy fairy bout playin midfield way the antrim manager 4 bredagh wudnt sell many papers.
Title: Progress
Post by: Hardy on December 07, 2006, 11:59:48 AM
It's nice to see the GAA's efforts to reach out across the cultural divide beginning to  bear fruit, as evidenced by the growing use of Ulster Scots on this site.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Donagh on December 07, 2006, 12:00:00 PM
Quote from: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 11:44:18 AM

an talkin all airy fairy bout playin midfield way the antrim manager 4 bredagh wudnt sell many papers.

Wha?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Six Inch Nail on December 07, 2006, 12:01:57 PM
I find Paddy Heaney's column class.  Always very interesting and alot of the times funny.  Particularly last weeks column, it hit a cord with me due to the fact that my club is still involved in a shitty promotion playoff.  He was maybe abit over the top at points in the article, however the general gist of it was 100%
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lynchbhoy on December 07, 2006, 12:08:25 PM
dont know much about paddy heaney and dont buy the Irish News.
I think ALL journos are a bit off with much of what they say, so about them being 100% correct makes me think you too straight to be a journo culchy

the real question here is (apart from there not being any pic's of Feeney's Banagher clubman Michael X Hasson - X being the family nickname that will cause Mr Hasson to want to fight you if you say it to his face) what Did mickey say about the county manager/team/setup etc

Did he do this off his own bat, or as I expect was this part of a planned speech after consultaion with the county chairman and secratary - if posts from people on here are anything to be believed..
Title: Re: Progress
Post by: bennydorano on December 07, 2006, 12:23:59 PM
Quote from: Hardy on December 07, 2006, 11:59:48 AM
It's nice to see the GAA's efforts to reach out across the cultural divide beginning to  bear fruit, as evidenced by the growing use of Ulster Scots on this site.

More like abstract Haiku :)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 12:33:56 PM
alrite sur , i dont recall mentionin i was a journalist!
i wudnt mind though u get paid 2 go 2 matches all expenses paid, an everythin
else that comes with it!

an u say u dont buy the irish news, thats probably because the price of sheep
has went to hell the last while aint that rite sur!only jokin dont get ur back up!

anyhow, think it was in his anual report that mr hasson said certain things about paddy crozier.
i dont think he was that bad actually, he finished by sayin paddy had done a job enuf job by all accounts
its been blown all outta proportion, cause in derry its us against them (the county board against the players/management)
mr hasson mentioned somethin bout paddy crozier wont be callin the shots next year as to club fixtures,etc.

myself i think paddy has done a decent enuf job, he has blooded alot o younger boys, think paul carton was a good addition
but he has been hit hard by the retirement of some of the older hands for next year.
i heard big enda is to retire any truth, heard hes now runnin a bar in b'derry.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lynchbhoy on December 07, 2006, 12:38:30 PM
Quote from: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 12:33:56 PM
alrite sur , i dont recall mentionin i was a journalist!
i wudnt mind though u get paid 2 go 2 matches all expenses paid, an everythin
else that comes with it!

an u say u dont buy the irish news, thats probably because the price of sheep
has went to hell the last while aint that rite sur!only jokin dont get ur back up!

anyhow, think it was in his anual report that mr hasson said certain things about paddy crozier.
i dont think he was that bad actually, he finished by sayin paddy had done a job enuf job by all accounts
its been blown all outta proportion, cause in derry its us against them (the county board against the players/management)
mr hasson mentioned somethin bout paddy crozier wont be callin the shots next year as to club fixtures,etc.

myself i think paddy has done a decent enuf job, he has blooded alot o younger boys, think paul carton was a good addition
but he has been hit hard by the retirement of some of the older hands for next year.
i heard big enda is to retire any truth, heard hes now runnin a bar in b'derry.


no offense taken Culchy
the decline of sheep farming has lead me to seek out a different career to my ancestral predecessors heritage.

I didnt say you were a journo (esp after reading your last piece  ;))  but that you were too straight laced and truthful to be one.

My personal thoughts on PC's first and penultimate year at the helm are on the Derry thread - not that they are up to much as per usual!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Lecale2 on December 07, 2006, 12:43:34 PM
Paddy H usually hits the nail on the head. Things are always quiet at this time of the year. Try reading the GAA output in the Indo if you're looking for lazy journalism.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: reiteoir on December 07, 2006, 01:09:50 PM
Saying that Paddy Heaney cant take responsibility for photographs in the Irish News is a crock of shit. He put his name to it and therefore he has to stand over it. He's made himself out to be a right gab shite.

Also read Against the Breeze when he was having a go a county conventions talking abot the Compromised rules game. Although I cant quote him word for word but it went along the lines of County conventions debating the compromised rules is a bit like a Tory calling for Tax cuts. Its safe and generates votes cos its what people want to hear.

The same can be said of declaring open seaon on county boards - so take your own advice, Paddy.

He also said about counties - Antrim in particular - getting its house in order. Maybe Paddy should get the Irish News house in order before he starts pointing fingers at other people.

All in all today's Irish news showed Paddy up to be unprofessional and shoddy.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 01:20:37 PM
i agree with reoitor
paddy shud check what he puts his name 2
its like some of them up their own arse z-list celebs that write authobiographies
an dont have a clue whats in them.

on saturday it was in the irish news that our club put forward a motion 2 have
the compromise rules done away with, paddy referred to this
he said that it wasnt as if any antrim player was in danger of bein closelined like geraghty or anythin
but that wasnt the point, just because antrim didnt have any players involved doesnt mean we dont have a say
the point was that our club took 3 bus loads of children 2 watch that great farse of a match
although it was a great day out for the children we didnt want the wanes 2 c this as what the gaa were promotin
thus callin for it 2 be replaced with somethin else
that wud be suitable for young children to go an c.
what paddy was doin was discriminatin against us because of where were from
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Craigyhill Terror on December 07, 2006, 01:46:58 PM
Any of the journalists lurking on here will tell you that sub-editors layout pages, write headlines, captions and choose pictures. Heaney might have been 100 miles away when the mistakes were made.

Reporters do not have responsibilty for pictures, headlines or captions. It's the Irish News that looks shoddy here, not the individual reporter
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: reiteoir on December 07, 2006, 01:59:15 PM
C'hill, if Paddy is big enough to write in the Irish News and shoot his mouth off then he should be big enough to take criticism. He put his name to the article and the buck stops with him. Sin é.

Maybe the picture editor is from Antrim and is a bit pissed off with the crap he keeps writing about the county ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: hitzelsperger on December 07, 2006, 03:05:21 PM
here here culchy
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on December 07, 2006, 05:33:31 PM
As someone said before that's a crock o' shit reitoir. You'll read some Gulpin like yourself in Off the fence complaining about it next week. It has happned a few ties I might add and goes along the lines of "Paddy Heany put a picture of the wrong Michael Hasson in... he's a disgrace and should apologise" and the reply is "Sorry but journalists write articles, they have nothing to do with pictures, headlines or even thos squote boxes around the outside of the article.... yes the IN is at fault but do not blame this on Paddy Heaney"

WTF do you boys know about the journalism industry anyway? This is the way it's done for every Newspaper so wind yuor neck in and blame the right people rather than standing on your high horse "I wrote it therefore I'd stand over it" wise up!!!

As for Heaney, I've had to miss out on the IN for the last few months but I usually find his articles particularly on the club scene very humourous and interesting and judging by most here he definitely strikes a chord with your normal club footballers. In fairness the articles aren't as good as they once were but they are as good an opinion piece as you'll find on the GAA at any time of year.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on December 07, 2006, 08:26:21 PM
Wobbler's comment were spot on. Heaney, albeit one of the top sport journalists in the paper (I rate the young fella Niblock higher - he wrote in the paper over summer - maybe still is?), has simply run out of innovative material.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: never kickt a ball on December 07, 2006, 09:13:32 PM
Jeepers boys you are wild hard to please. Leave Paddy alone. If any of your teams were as consistent as he was thay would be doing well. His article over the "typing error" in the Macrory cup last year was immense as was his article on motivation for playing for a club. In addition don't forget he predicted the downfall of Tyrone long before everyone was even thinking of removing their rose tinted glasses.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Elias on December 07, 2006, 09:51:55 PM
Paddy Heaneys articles, IMO are top notch journalism, and he is the reason I buy the Irish News. (It's certainly for all the political ballox in the front third!)

This is not the first time Mr Heaney has taken criticism, and it certainly won't be the last. In his role I'm sure he's used to it! His articles are constantly slated in OTF by all and sundry, sure it's impossible to please all us Irish with a single point of view.

Deffo one of my favourite sports journo's; and miles ahead of one certain Martin Breheny, who many failings deserve their own thread!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Dubh driocht on December 07, 2006, 10:36:15 PM
Elias, I think you missed out on a 'not'!!I think Heaney is good and the IN GAA has improved beyond belief but I disagree about his abuse of committee men. Some may be fleecing it but I know the men and women in our club put serious hours in for no reward. I've been on the committee 5 or 6 times over the years and I looked forward to the meetings in the same way I looked forward to root canal work but somebody has to do it.
What do youse think of the other journos?
Adrian Cliche Logan ? John lift from the IN Campbell ? Pat Spillane ?Martin Breheny ?Sean Moran ?
I used to love the follower in the Donegal Democrat- a real poet with words.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Elias on December 07, 2006, 10:54:18 PM
Dubh, I'm not gonna defend everything the man says, far from it. I just pointed out I enjoy his work, he is a fine GAA journo.

Logan & Spillane are not in the same category of journalist as Heaney, probably because they're both TV personalities. I like curley bap Logan simply because I also hail from Dungannon; no reason necessary why I hate Pat 'puke journalism Spillane.

Breheny is so anti Ulster I find it hard to read the Indo, which is usually an excellent source of daily GAA news
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 08, 2006, 10:00:11 AM
i c the irish news have duely put in a correction this mornin
people make mistakes, shit happens

im sure paddy has made a mental note not 2 let it happen again

i wonder what paddy will touch on next week

maybe comin into the mouth of the festive season
he'll touch on what the county boards will ask santa for
doc mcsparran will maybe ask for media relations classes
and michael hasson from derry will ask 4 a set of bagpipes
an free lessons so that he can call the tune an drive all the rodents outta derry!!




Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: believebelive on December 08, 2006, 10:05:33 AM
Culchy, has it not entered your head yet the picture and caption mistake was not Paddy Heaney's fault. It has been pointed out by numerous posters here that journalists have nothing to do with captions, pictures or even headlines. blaming paddy for this is like blaming the chef if the waiter spits in your food. wise up. are the schools off already i wonder.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: full back on December 08, 2006, 10:19:06 AM
Hope you are watching Paddy,
Will be extremely disappointed if in the next few weeks we dont get the Christmas presents for certain GAA figures (as said by Culchy1) and another sure thing is the New Year Resolutions for certain managers/players/County Boards.
Dont disappoint us
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Great Leap Forward on December 08, 2006, 10:36:36 AM
Cuchy1, I think you are being a bit sensitive about Heaneys cloumn. He was right about a few things.

Firstly he is right about the Antrim County Board getting their house in order rather than worrying about the International rules. The club season in Antrim usually runs on until after Christmas. This is incedible considering the County Football team don't play a championship after early June and the hurlers are never in the latter stages of the Liam McCarthy.

He is also right that we are blamimg everything on those bad Aussies while we have a leniant attitude to violence in our sport.

Heaney is a good jouranlist, easily the best at the Irish News. The worst culprit in their sport department is Brendan Crossan who said that Antrim needed 15 Kevin McGourtys. Holy f**k, one is bad enough!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: No1 on December 08, 2006, 11:00:42 AM
Heaney is very good and Wobbler's analysis is spot on.

Crossan has gone downhill, he thinks the world begins in Ardoyne and ends at the Glen Road.  If he writes one more article about Newington f**king soccer club or his own playing/managerial soccer career I think I'll explode.

Whoever said Kenny Liverpool Archer couldn't be more right.

I think that Niblock fella is doing a bit of presenting on UTV.

With all that said I still buy the IN everyday!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 08, 2006, 11:13:02 AM
make believe wud u ever lighten up, sake!
what u saunterin bout schools, u stand outside them all day, dirty old man!! ;D

aye no1 seen that young feller niblock on utv the other nite ther
he was interviewin the queens players on their success in the ryan cup
one noted absentee was kevin 'i hate cold sausage rolls' mcgourty
not like mcgourt to shun the limelight(not the club now)

i think thomas niblock is a brother of kevi an barry
im sure someone will correct me if im wrong

i agree quantam leap, hard to explain why season is not over yet
the ulster final farce didnt help either
hopefully they will learn from their mistakes an get it sorted or improve it next year
but i feel that clubs have to take some responsibility for the fixtures chaos also
some clubs refuse to play without county men an some call off matches for stag dos,
weddins, etc. durin the summer an then complain bout playin matches in oct,nov,dec.
Title: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: 5 Sams on December 08, 2006, 12:06:54 PM
Best GAA columnist ever in the Irish News is Benny Tierney ;D

In fairness Heaney is pretty good....he's a football man and knows what he is talking about....and is usually quite entertaining.


....apart from the time however he said that no Newry teams had any county footballers whenever we had two players on the panel/playing :-\
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Blacksheep on December 08, 2006, 12:19:16 PM
No 1 "With all that said I still buy the IN everyday!"

I thought all the papers were bought for you No 1?  ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Mac hinery on December 08, 2006, 11:03:27 PM
There were a number of photos in the IN over the last week or two that had the wrong names against players, not just the Paddy Heaney column.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Square Ball on December 08, 2006, 11:21:11 PM
Heaneys not a bad spud, speaks from the heart most of the time, as well as his arse, all journos do it. pity about his Mayo to beat Kerry and have your wad on it basically, I ventured a few shillings and well the rest is history. In his next column he had a balaclava over his picture, he never looked better  :D

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RP Macmurphy on December 08, 2006, 11:21:31 PM
Quotebut it went along the lines of County conventions debating the compromised rules is a bit like a Tory calling for Tax cuts.

Well, to put a finer point on it, with regards the Antrim convention Heaney's thoughts were along the line of 'much a do about nothing'.  He then referred to the Antrim County Board dicussing the problems with the current IR set up when they had no representatives on the panel, and they had more important things to deal with in their own 'house' - like trying to establsih Antrim football as a Provincial challenger.  He did pay tribute to Antrim hurling.  I think it was a fair enough point.  

The very fact that people are discussing his article means he's done his job.  If he please all the people all the time there would be little for us to squabble about! ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 13, 2006, 10:56:12 AM
i see paddy was up to no good again this week!
puttin in a story about brian mcguigans injury compared to john toals.
then so that he doesnt get the blame for the story he puts ur man from the irish independent name
against it , mcgee.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Bogball XV on December 13, 2006, 01:09:30 PM
Quote from: culchy1 on December 13, 2006, 10:56:12 AM
i see paddy was up to no good again this week!
puttin in a story about brian mcguigans injury compared to john toals.
then so that he doesnt get the blame for the story he puts ur man from the irish independent name
against it , mcgee.


did you read the thread on Brian McGuigan?  I suggest you do before embarrassing yourself further.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 13, 2006, 02:09:18 PM
away an f**k ursel bog beast !!! ;D

Title: culchy1
Post by: Six Inch Nail on December 13, 2006, 02:45:28 PM
Did Paddy Heaney run over your dog?  Or are you just pissed off he didn't take your advice about the Christmas article?  By the way, are you using a mobile phone to post on the board, if not why all the text shit?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: culchy1 on December 13, 2006, 02:59:13 PM
its great that some people take pleasure from other peoples grammar/spelling mistakes.
look i just started the thread not because i dont like paddy heaney more because i enjoy reading his articles.
expecting to get a bit of banter going about him and other journalists.
the amount of times people have to be reminded that it is all a bit o craic is unbelievable
its just something to pass the time at work because work is shit full stop.
if you read my first post again you will see that i only pointed out that a mistake was made in the paper
and then referred to paddys previous article about the club season!

sorry for any mispelling or grammar mistakes, sir!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Guillem2 on January 03, 2007, 10:07:57 AM
I heard that Gerry (Jerry?) Quinn the former Down Chairman had a major go at Paddy at the Down convention. He also suggested that members of Paddy's club, Bredagh, must share his views! Apparently the Bredagh delegates were furious and demanded a right of reply. Quinn was voted out by 3 votes. Did the attack on Paddy Heaney put the final nail in his coffin?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Square Ball on January 03, 2007, 08:35:41 PM
Guillem2

there is a bit on this on the Down thread http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=25.270 and on the following pages
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on August 19, 2008, 08:56:04 AM
What do you think of his column today? Should we be thanking him for making Harte bring us to an AI semi?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Roy on August 19, 2008, 08:58:46 AM
Heaney tends to believe things happen because of journalism - not the other way around.  Interesting world he lives in. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: full back on August 19, 2008, 09:23:53 AM
Can anyone post his column
BTW, did the Tyrone players copy his ridiculous looking beard?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on August 19, 2008, 01:10:52 PM
http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/597/5764/2008/8/19/595483_354600002290RedHands.html

YOu have to subscribe to read it. After he says what you see on this link he connects the chat with harte to his column and apparently that was the moment Harte envisioned what had to be done. We are all gratefull.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: nrico2006 on August 19, 2008, 01:19:57 PM
Could you not copy and paste it here?

Good man!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: peterquaife on August 19, 2008, 01:29:42 PM
Quote from: culchy1 on December 07, 2006, 11:44:18 AM
ok ok dont fuckin shit ursel.

aye i know anyone can make a mistake every now an then.
but i wudnt put my name agin somethin if i wasnt sure it wud be rite.
an i agree i enjoy readin paddys dont pee agin the breeze every week
he makes much better readin than that wee mchugh gabshit in the irish star

u dont have 2 be controversial 2 b a good journalist though
but paddys in the business o shiftin papers
an talkin all airy fairy bout playin midfield way the antrim manager 4 bredagh wudnt sell many papers.

and so Mr Brave, what name would you put beside your well written, accurate article...by Culchy1? Clown

the irish news is the only paper i buy regularly, enjoy the sport, esp the GAA coverage v much..keep up the good work men

PQ
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on August 19, 2008, 01:45:07 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on August 19, 2008, 01:19:57 PM
Could you not copy and paste it here?

Good man!

I don't subscribe. I read a hard copy.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Drumanee 1 on August 19, 2008, 01:57:34 PM
Quote from: Roy on August 19, 2008, 08:58:46 AM
Heaney tends to believe things happen because of journalism - not the other way around.  Interesting world he lives in. 

fcuk me talk about missing the point in his articles ::)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: el_cuervo_fc on August 19, 2008, 02:02:45 PM
Here u go lads.

Red Hands owe so much to Mickey's masterplan
Against the Breeze
By Paddy Heaney
19/08/08


The last time I was talking to Mickey Harte, he was not a very happy man. Mickey, Brian McAlinden and myself were panellists at a

discussion night that was held in St Peter's GAC, Lurgan.

Before the public debate got underway, I had a private debate with Mickey and Brian McAlinden about the virtues of this newspaper's 'Off The Fence' column.

Neither man professed a great love for our readers' forum, although both seemed to be regular readers.

Nevertheless, Mickey was irked by the previous week's edition in which he had come in for some criticism from disgruntled Tyrone fans. (Is there any other kind?)

I had compiled that particular week's column so I defended my corner, stating that Tyrone readers, even daft ones, were entitled to their opinion, and that I had included the ultimate riposte – a defence from Peter Canavan.

Mickey made his own arguments, although he wasn't unduly concerned. A strong manager with a strong character, he has long since learned not to take such criticism too seriously.

It was only during the course of the discussion chaired by Jimmy Smyth that I started to detect Mickey was not his usual unruffled self.

There seemed to be a silent rage burning within the man. He seemed quite prickly and was visibly angry during a couple of jousts with yours truly.

Even though I am highly skilled at enraging the most mild-mannered individuals, I knew I wasn't the real source of his displeasure.

It was only with the benefit of hindsight that I've been able to understand Mickey's mood that night.

During the period in question, Tyrone had been out of the Ulster Championship for nearly two weeks. Furthermore, their exit hadn't come as any huge surprise.

It merely confirmed the widely-held belief that Tyrone couldn't succeed in the absence of the retired Stephen O'Neill and the out-of-form Owen Mulligan.

Naturally, Harte always railed against this argument, but he must have started to acknowledge that Tyrone's results were backing up the pundits' case, not his.

After Tyrone lost to Down, the mood in the O'Neill county was largely apathetic. A minority of fans were calling for Harte's head. The Tyrone team was also losing its aura.

That night's debate in Lurgan provided yet further proof of Tyrone's diminished status within the game. Last year's Ulster champions weren't even discussed. The audience wasn't being dismissive. It just reflected the popular mood.

Armagh's rise under Peter McDonnell and Paul Galvin's suspension were the main topics. The question was who could stop Kerry – and no one mentioned Tyrone.

This is a dangerous environment for any team to inhabit because it's only a matter of time before that self-defeating mentality soaks into the changing room.

It was during this time that Harte must have sensed Tyrone had reached a crisis point and so began his personal mission to stop the players from believing the reports of their own demise.

Sean Cavanagh has since remarked that he heard Harte raise his voice more often during the five weeks after Tyrone lost to Down than he did during the previous five years.

When I read that comment, it all started to make sense. Harte was in the middle of his crusade during that night in Lurgan.

Fortunately, these Tyrone players still realise they are lucky to have Harte as their manager.

Their performance against Down in Newry provided irrefutable proof Harte still enjoyed the backing of his changing room. Despite losing the game, they played with incredible spirit throughout the 90-plus minutes of action.

Once a manager has the total trust of his players, anything is possible. And if some of those players are men like Brian Dooher, Enda McGinley, and Conor Gormley the chances of

success are increased even further.

However, it would be a mistake to credit individual players for Tyrone's progression to this year's All-Ireland semi-final.

Rather, Tyrone's success is unquestionably a triumph of Mickey Harte's coaching. The Red Hands are without doubt the best-drilled team in the country.

For instance, consider Armagh's performance against Wexford. The Orchard county were utterly reliant on superb individual scores from Ronan Clarke and Steven McDonnell, who were forced to shoot from crazy positions.

Now think about Tyrone's points against Dublin. No one tried any shots from the sideline. With the exception of Brian Dooher, the bulk of the scores came from within 30 yards of the goals. This is no coincidence.

Tyrone's approach play is the product of the training ground. The ball is nearly always delivered to a player in the scoring zone. Unlike many managers, Mickey Harte knows that the single most important thing in gaelic football is turning possession into scores. And, unlike even more managers, Harte devotes a great deal of time trying to indoctrinate an effective attacking gameplan into his players.

The match statistics that appear in this newspaper every Monday underline the importance of focusing on a system for converting possession into scores.

Teams have repeatedly won midfield in this year's Championship and still lost games. But the team that shows the greater shot efficiency always comes out on top.

Tyrone were wiped out at midfield by Mayo and Dublin – but still won due to their superior ability to create attacks that yielded scores.

And it's all because Mickey Harte can take 15 players and make them greater than the sum of their parts.

He may not be fully appreciated within his own county, but those of us looking from the outside can only sit back and admire his work.

Since taking over as Tyrone manager, he has suffered the loss of the late Cormac McAnallen, a player he had appointed as the new team captain.

There have been the retirements of Peter Canavan and Stephen O'Neill. Former automatic selections like Kevin Hughes and Owen Mulligan have struggled to recapture their best form. And we can't forget the injury jinx, and the absence of Brian McGuigan for more than two years.

From amid this catalogue of easy excuses for failure, Harte has sought only to mould a stronger and better Tyrone team.

Judging by Tyrone's 12-point hammering of Dublin at the weekend, Harte has injected that belief into his players. They will now have their sights set on the Sam Maguire Cup, as will the thousands of Tyrone supporters who shied away from Croke Park on Saturday because they feared a slaughtering from the Dubs.

This week the county of Tyrone will be awash with football fever. Interest will be renewed. The Championship is now alive with possibility and promise. The cynics who have droned on like the rain all summer will now be drowned out by the dreamers.

The talk will be of Wexford and maybe a place in the final. And once it's down to a one-off game... well, who knows?

One man is largely responsible for the metamorphosis within Tyrone. And that man is Mickey Harte.

As a manager, his success can be easily measured out in trophies. But his most recent achievement of rebuilding a new team that believes in itself, and is believed in by the people of Tyrone, ranks alongside anything else he has done during his illustrious career.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RadioGAAGAA on August 19, 2008, 02:09:53 PM
Quote from: Zapatista on August 19, 2008, 08:56:04 AM
What do you think of his column today? Should we be thanking him for making Harte bring us to an AI semi?

Eh?


What are you on about?


No-where in that article does Heaney even infer he had a role to play in the reviving of this Tyrone team.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: D4S on August 19, 2008, 02:16:26 PM
Read this earlier in the INews I thought it was a really good article, then came on here and saw that Paddy has his own thread dedicated to himself...I'd say he'll be chuffed if he finds out.  I personally enjoy his articles every week I think he talks a lot of sense and todays is excellent in my opinion...But you will never please everyone, I'm sure he wouldnt't give a shit about people slagging him off on here he probably reads it and laughs...Look out for next tuesdays column....'Are GAA forums full of bitter and twisted shit ex footballers'
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ziggysego on August 19, 2008, 02:17:22 PM
He gave the team the idea to grow a few beards. So yes, Paddy got us to the final and him a Derry man ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RadioGAAGAA on August 19, 2008, 02:17:45 PM
Quote from: D4S on August 19, 2008, 02:16:26 PM
Look out for next tuesdays column....'Are GAA forums full of bitter and twisted shit ex footballers'

Now that would be funny  :D


Name and shame Paddy... name and shame  ;D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on August 19, 2008, 02:42:39 PM
I just got the impression that his colimn followed by his chat with Harte a week later about his column followed by his debate in Lurgan with Harte that same night give Harte to food for thought to bring Tyrone to an AI semi.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on August 19, 2008, 04:51:50 PM
Can't see anything wrong with this article. Quite good.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rav67 on August 19, 2008, 04:59:59 PM
Must say I always enjoy Paddy's articles.  He became a bit of a cult figure among the Belfast student population a year or 2 ago when a few people had his mobile number for some reason.  If you're reading Paddy I hope you enjoyed the rendition on your answerphone of the "Paddy Heaney, Irish News" chant outside the Bot!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Will Hunting on August 19, 2008, 05:10:37 PM
Quote from: ziggysego on August 19, 2008, 02:17:22 PM
He gave the team the idea to grow a few beards. So yes, Paddy got us to the final and him a Derry man ;)

Not quite the final yet ziggy, but as it's only Wexford, I see where you're coming from.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Our Nail Loney on August 19, 2008, 07:59:57 PM
Quote from: Rav67 on August 19, 2008, 04:59:59 PM
Must say I always enjoy Paddy's articles.  He became a bit of a cult figure among the Belfast student population a year or 2 ago when a few people had his mobile number for some reason.  If you're reading Paddy I hope you enjoyed the rendition on your answerphone of the "Paddy Heaney, Irish News" chant outside the Bot!

One of the posters on the board had his number thru JOrdanstown gaa! I remember someone getting a phone call in renshaws during freshers week there from the police apparently paddy wasn't happy with the constant prank calls!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rav67 on August 19, 2008, 08:27:59 PM
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 19, 2008, 07:59:57 PM
Quote from: Rav67 on August 19, 2008, 04:59:59 PM
Must say I always enjoy Paddy's articles.  He became a bit of a cult figure among the Belfast student population a year or 2 ago when a few people had his mobile number for some reason.  If you're reading Paddy I hope you enjoyed the rendition on your answerphone of the "Paddy Heaney, Irish News" chant outside the Bot!

One of the posters on the board had his number thru JOrdanstown gaa! I remember someone getting a phone call in renshaws during freshers week there from the police apparently paddy wasn't happy with the constant prank calls!

I think one or two fellas inevitably took things too far, it had to stop then!  I remember standing on the steps beside DJ Skip's booth one Wednesday night when that chanting was going on and they were renamed the Paddy Heaney Steps!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: under the bar on August 29, 2008, 09:23:50 AM
Just reading this weeks Off the Fence.   Tyrone's progress doesn't sit well with some in the Orchard County.

Padraig From Armagh says:

"Not a mention of Armagh hammering the Dubs, a stronger team than the one that played Tyrone, in April.  Maybe Harte was at that match, or borrowed the video from Armagh.   We certainly opened them up that day and exposed them, which Tyrone merely capitalised on."

Heaney then replies "In the absence of enough space to properly respond to this, I'll just ask one question: what are you talking about??"

LOL.  You'd think the Armagh Secretary could come up with a better pseudonym than "Padraig" ;) :P
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 09:57:36 AM
That is some good reading there UnderTheBar. Read the composer again.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 10:19:18 AM
Sometimes Heaney really exposes himself to be an utter idiot.  This is one of those times.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on August 29, 2008, 10:37:54 AM
Quote from: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 09:57:36 AM
That is some good reading there UnderTheBar. Read the composer again.

Quote from: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 10:19:18 AM
Sometimes Heaney really exposes himself to be an utter idiot.  This is one of those times.

Yeah it wasn't Heaney who wrote it! Seamus Maloney did. I would agree with Maloney too. What has Armagh beating the Dubs in the league got to do with Tyrone beating them in an AIQF? Nothing I would say!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: under the bar on August 29, 2008, 11:18:41 AM
He really picks the stupidest to take the p*ss out of.  Another girl says that all the 1/4 finalist should have another attempt when knocked out, even those that came thru the back door!  ffs

QuoteThat is some good reading there UnderTheBar. Read the composer again.

Aye I know it wasn't Heaney, but it was his Off the Fence stand in.  Same column so doesnt really matter.

btw: Why can't Heaney write his column from holiday?  Taking the p*ss out of a few letter can't take up much time!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: maggie on August 29, 2008, 11:54:32 AM

Beard or no beard-hes still gorge.  Never mind his journo abilities, any1 know his marital status??  ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 12:08:33 PM
Quote from: screenexile on August 29, 2008, 10:37:54 AM
Quote from: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 09:57:36 AM
That is some good reading there UnderTheBar. Read the composer again.

Quote from: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 10:19:18 AM
Sometimes Heaney really exposes himself to be an utter idiot.  This is one of those times.

Yeah it wasn't Heaney who wrote it! Seamus Maloney did. I would agree with Maloney too. What has Armagh beating the Dubs in the league got to do with Tyrone beating them in an AIQF? Nothing I would say!

Exactly.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 12:10:34 PM
Quote from: screenexile on August 29, 2008, 10:37:54 AM


Yeah it wasn't Heaney who wrote it! Seamus Maloney did. I would agree with Maloney too. What has Armagh beating the Dubs in the league got to do with Tyrone beating them in an AIQF? Nothing I would say!
That's your opinion...
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Uladh on August 29, 2008, 12:11:56 PM

All right then - absolutely nothing?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 12:17:56 PM
Quote from: Uladh on August 29, 2008, 12:11:56 PM

All right then - absolutely nothing?
Just your opinion too and you know what's said about opinions
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 12:20:27 PM
You can;t honestly believe Armagh's victory had an impact on Tyrone match can you?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: full back on August 29, 2008, 12:23:21 PM
aramhachaabu - are you the person who sent the email in?

How the fcuk anyone thinks that Armagh had anything to do with Tyrone beating Dublin is beyond me.
Them sort of ramblings belong on another discussion board
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rick O Shea on August 29, 2008, 12:27:53 PM
Quote from: under the bar on August 29, 2008, 11:18:41 AM
He really picks the stupidest to take the p*ss out of.  Another girl says that all the 1/4 finalist should have another attempt when knocked out, even those that came thru the back door!  ffs

QuoteThat is some good reading there UnderTheBar. Read the composer again.

Aye I know it wasn't Heaney, but it was his Off the Fence stand in.  Same column so doesnt really matter.

btw: Why can't Heaney write his column from holiday?  Taking the p*ss out of a few letter can't take up much time!

What the hell are you talking about boy!!??

Heaney's article is called against the breeze.  Off the fence is the letters page and the responding journalist changes nearly every week!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on August 29, 2008, 01:05:57 PM
Quote from: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 12:17:56 PM
Quote from: Uladh on August 29, 2008, 12:11:56 PM

All right then - absolutely nothing?
Just your opinion too and you know what's said about opinions

Everyone should have came and watched us demolish Tyrone at Celtic Park this year, or for that matter I hope Tyrone watched us take Kerry apart in the National League Final... wahay! Actually whoever wins the All Ireland it will be off Derry's back because we'll have beaten both teams that are there... well done Derry!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 01:09:15 PM
We beat Derry in 1999 so therefore we should get the credit?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on August 29, 2008, 01:19:37 PM
Quote from: corn02 on August 29, 2008, 01:09:15 PM
We beat Derry in 1999 so therefore we should get the credit?

Sounds fair enough to me!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: under the bar on August 29, 2008, 01:30:24 PM
QuoteYeah it wasn't Heaney who wrote it! Seamus Maloney did. I would agree with Maloney too. What has Armagh beating the Dubs in the league got to do with Tyrone beating them in an AIQF? Nothing I would say!

That's your opinion...

And the opinion of most people with an ounce of sanity ....... :-\
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ExiledGael on August 29, 2008, 03:03:38 PM
Lot of nutcases on here.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: under the bar on August 29, 2008, 03:34:10 PM
QuoteWhat the hell are you talking about boy!!??

Heaney's article is called against the breeze.

Cheers ROS.  Mixing up my fences & breezes, just as well I'm not a builder.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 10:03:06 PM
Quote from: full back on August 29, 2008, 12:23:21 PM
aramhachaabu - are you the person who sent the email in?

How the fcuk anyone thinks that Armagh had anything to do with Tyrone beating Dublin is beyond me.
Them sort of ramblings belong on another discussion board
What discussion board would that be then?

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on August 29, 2008, 10:08:52 PM
Jaysus, it seems you aren't allowed to express an opinion here!

So... yes I do think that Armagh drubbing the Dubs in Cross had featured in MH's gameplan as he was there yon day.

I wonder how many people who slabbered against that train of thought actually knew that
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Wee Roddy on September 02, 2008, 03:39:15 PM
Paddy will not be welcome in Carrickmore after his comments today. He more or less said that Carrickmore kicked there way to their latest Tyrone titles because they only have 1 county player. People from Carrickmore and the majority of football people outside will know that their last title were in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 Carrickmore were a kick off the ball from reaching an Ulster Club final and really won the Tyrone championship with very attacking football. In 2005, because the club championship was put on hold Carrickmore played in four successive weeks, and fell weary legged to St Galls. In any other county a team that wins 2 championships and was denied 3 in a row after a replay in the 2006 final would have a good sprinkling off players on the squad. Not in Tyrone
This is a fact, under Mickey Hartes 13 year as either minor, U21 or Senior manager, only Peter Loughran (who was the outstanding minor in the county) and Conor Gormley have represented Carrickmore. In that space off time Carrickmore have won 6 senior titles, 1 minor title and 3 U21 title as well as numerous SFLs. Under previous managers, McRory and Danny Ball, Carrickmore always had a sprinkling of quality players through the squad.
I am not taking it away from Mickey Harte. He is obviously a footballing genius, but Tyrones play is all about systems and without naming names I know there are Carrickmore players who are better footballers than some of those on the panel.
Rant over..................and i will be sending something similar to his to Paddy beardy Heaney
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Maximus Marillius on September 02, 2008, 03:47:28 PM
Wee Roddy would ye wind yer neck in...he never said that ye kicked your way to it...he said the same thing about bellaghy...its all about the belief. Our clubs were able to bt better teams because we believed we were better and the team we were playing did not have that belief
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Estimator on September 02, 2008, 03:52:18 PM
Quote from: Wee Roddy on September 02, 2008, 03:39:15 PM
Paddy will not be welcome in Carrickmore after his comments today. He more or less said that Carrickmore kicked there way to their latest Tyrone titles because they only have 1 county player. People from Carrickmore and the majority of football people outside will know that their last title were in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 Carrickmore were a kick off the ball from reaching an Ulster Club final and really won the Tyrone championship with very attacking football. In 2005, because the club championship was put on hold Carrickmore played in four successive weeks, and fell weary legged to St Galls. In any other county a team that wins 2 championships and was denied 3 in a row after a replay in the 2006 final would have a good sprinkling off players on the squad. Not in Tyrone
This is a fact, under Mickey Hartes 13 year as either minor, U21 or Senior manager, only Peter Loughran (who was the outstanding minor in the county) and Conor Gormley have represented Carrickmore. In that space off time Carrickmore have won 6 senior titles, 1 minor title and 3 U21 title as well as numerous SFLs. Under previous managers, McRory and Danny Ball, Carrickmore always had a sprinkling of quality players through the squad.
I am not taking it away from Mickey Harte. He is obviously a footballing genius, but Tyrones play is all about systems and without naming names I know there are Carrickmore players who are better footballers than some of those on the panel.
Rant over..................and i will be sending something similar to his to Paddy beardy Heaney

Where the hell in the two short paragraphs mentioning Carrickmore did he write this?
He does state that they have no county standard forwards - but they still have the ability to win matches because of who they are. Its all about their reputation as winners. Same with Bellaghy in Derry.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on September 02, 2008, 03:54:52 PM
Yeah Roddy I think you're looking at the whole thing a little sideways!

He said that Carrickmore and Bellaghy have a winning mentality bred into them that when up against any side means they always have a more than even chance of winning. Whilst Carrickmore have maybe a lot less 'stars' on their team than an Errigal Ciaran or a Dromore team it doesn't matter because the players that they have a stronger belief and mentality in themselves given where they've come from and the success that has gone before.

I thought it was a well written piece that seems to commend the way both yourselves and Bellaghy breed that winning mentality into their players. No better evidence than a couple of weeks ago when Ballinderry should have pulled away from Bellaghy in the Cship QF but for some reason Bellaghy wouldn't lie down and nearly won a game that they shouldn't have... winning mentality is something very few teams have and is EXTREMELY difficult to get. You should count yourself lucky you have it in your club!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Drumanee 1 on September 02, 2008, 03:56:24 PM
Quote from: Wee Roddy on September 02, 2008, 03:39:15 PM
Paddy will not be welcome in Carrickmore after his comments today. He more or less said that Carrickmore kicked there way to their latest Tyrone titles because they only have 1 county player. People from Carrickmore and the majority of football people outside will know that their last title were in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 Carrickmore were a kick off the ball from reaching an Ulster Club final and really won the Tyrone championship with very attacking football. In 2005, because the club championship was put on hold Carrickmore played in four successive weeks, and fell weary legged to St Galls. In any other county a team that wins 2 championships and was denied 3 in a row after a replay in the 2006 final would have a good sprinkling off players on the squad. Not in Tyrone
This is a fact, under Mickey Hartes 13 year as either minor, U21 or Senior manager, only Peter Loughran (who was the outstanding minor in the county) and Conor Gormley have represented Carrickmore. In that space off time Carrickmore have won 6 senior titles, 1 minor title and 3 U21 title as well as numerous SFLs. Under previous managers, McRory and Danny Ball, Carrickmore always had a sprinkling of quality players through the squad.
I am not taking it away from Mickey Harte. He is obviously a footballing genius, but Tyrones play is all about systems and without naming names I know there are Carrickmore players who are better footballers than some of those on the panel.
Rant over..................and i will be sending something similar to his to Paddy beardy Heaney

my god man have you lost the run of yourself?,he was actually paid carmen a compliment,your the one who mentioned kicking your way to a county title. ::)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: the green man on September 02, 2008, 03:59:22 PM
Quote from: Drumanee 1 on September 02, 2008, 03:56:24 PM
my god man have you lost the run of yourself?,he was actually paid carmen a compliment,your the one who mentioned kicking your way to a county title. ::)

Never let the facts get in the way of Derry-bashing.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: D4S on September 02, 2008, 04:13:43 PM
Agree with you all, where's wee roddy to defend his stance, or is he a little embarassed now he's read the article a second time!!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: billy the kid on September 02, 2008, 04:16:16 PM
He shit his pants
Done a merry dance
Wee Roddy ran away
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Wee Roddy on September 02, 2008, 04:28:43 PM
Billy Boy I will tear the heed of ye :'(
Lads maybe I could be wrong but I did not take it as a compliment. Paddy Heaney said that very average players won All Irelands with Kerry and it was the same at club level with Carrickmore teams winning titles with only 1 county man. My opinion is that Carrickmores last 2 championship winning teams were not average teams and had it not been for Mickey Harte then we certainly would have had more county players. (having said that it is my opinion that if Harte had not been given the job we would have no All Irelands).
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ziggysego on September 02, 2008, 04:34:01 PM
I didn't think he was being too complimentary of Carrickmore either, or Bellaghy.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on September 02, 2008, 04:38:28 PM
To be honest it's the way most perceive Carrickmore. Maybe it is all down to Mickey Harte but with only 1/2 max County players it would seem that Carrickmore are a great team with maybe not great individuals or not as many great individuals as other teams have. Is it a slur to suggest that Carrickmore won due to their teamwork/attitude and belief rather than natural footballing ability or is it a compliment to say that Carrickmore played to their strengths to win a number of County titles. I suppose it's a glass half full situation and people will view it whatever way they want but I certainly don't think Heaney meant to slag off Carrickmore and he DEFINITELY didn't say they kicked their way to any of the titles.

I don't watch much Tyrone football but have Carrickmore maybe been accused of this in the past Wee Roddy which is why you jump to conclusions in defending them so staunchly?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on September 02, 2008, 04:49:44 PM
I have played against Carrickmore a number of times and they can be very dirty.  Late slaps, off the ball tackles, sneaky trips, and these were just in challenge games!  I know Cross are no angels.  The thing is though they are actually a good footballing team and I know where Roddy is coming from when he says they don't get the footballing recognition they deserve.  I think it is more  case that they have not too many weaker players and are all around a similar level, but maybe not just reaching the very top individually.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: tyssam5 on September 02, 2008, 07:07:48 PM
Quote from: Drumanee 1 on September 02, 2008, 03:56:24 PM
Quote from: Wee Roddy on September 02, 2008, 03:39:15 PM
Paddy will not be welcome in Carrickmore after his comments today. He more or less said that Carrickmore kicked there way to their latest Tyrone titles because they only have 1 county player. People from Carrickmore and the majority of football people outside will know that their last title were in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 Carrickmore were a kick off the ball from reaching an Ulster Club final and really won the Tyrone championship with very attacking football. In 2005, because the club championship was put on hold Carrickmore played in four successive weeks, and fell weary legged to St Galls. In any other county a team that wins 2 championships and was denied 3 in a row after a replay in the 2006 final would have a good sprinkling off players on the squad. Not in Tyrone
This is a fact, under Mickey Hartes 13 year as either minor, U21 or Senior manager, only Peter Loughran (who was the outstanding minor in the county) and Conor Gormley have represented Carrickmore. In that space off time Carrickmore have won 6 senior titles, 1 minor title and 3 U21 title as well as numerous SFLs. Under previous managers, McRory and Danny Ball, Carrickmore always had a sprinkling of quality players through the squad.
I am not taking it away from Mickey Harte. He is obviously a footballing genius, but Tyrones play is all about systems and without naming names I know there are Carrickmore players who are better footballers than some of those on the panel.
Rant over..................and i will be sending something similar to his to Paddy beardy Heaney

my god man have you lost the run of yourself?,he was actually paid carmen a compliment,your the one who mentioned kicking your way to a county title. ::)

Maybe he's seen more of C'more than Heaney and could clarify the point?  ;)
Can some-one post it up.
I'd say there'd be a few in C'mor who would prefer Gormley not to be in the squad either, most of their players would take club over county any day (and rightly so) but unlike at other clubs to a degree which nearly excludes the county. Plus not having more county men allows them to cultivate a chip on their shoulder which they then use effectively.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hoof Hearted on September 11, 2008, 12:15:48 PM

thought this was a good piece yesterday, apologies if alredy posted in another thread

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Arranging an interview with one of the all-time greats of Gaelic football couldn't have been much easier.

Icons of the game don't come much bigger than Mick O'Connell, yet getting in contact with him was a doddle. His telephone number was in the local phonebook. No ex-directory requests for this prince of footballers. It's there in black and white: O'Connell Mick, Glenleam, Valentia Island.

Two calls did the trick. When I rang, as requested, at 9am yesterday morning, he agreed to meet me in Cahirciveen at 10.30am.

Mick supplied the venue and the directions. He would be in a café in the Cahirciveen Shopping Centre. The title of shopping centre is somewhat misleading, as it constitutes a Eurospar, a clothes shop, a hairdressers and the café.

Unlike his playing days, when he had to row to the mainland, Mick can now make the 15-mile journey by car. When I entered the café, he was already seated – the matinee idol of the radio age, the man who set the standard for all midfielders.

Captain of the All-Ireland-winning side in 1959, he was the Texaco Footballer of the Year when they won again in 1962. Ten years later, at the tender age of 34, he was selected as an Allstar when he won his fourth All-Ireland medal. He was on the Team of the Century (picked to mark the GAA's 100th anniversary) in 1984 and the Team of the Millennium.

It's 50 years since Mick O'Connell made his debut in Croke Park, against Derry in the All-Ireland semi-final of 1958, yet the 70-year-old is in remarkably good health.

At the peak of his powers, he stood six feet tall and weighed 13-and-a-half-stones. He has gained a pound in weight since he hung up the boots.

I had been forewarned that 'Micko' could be a handful to interview. It was good advice.

When the tape started rolling he came out all guns blazing. He's not a fan of the modern game, which he described as "basketball on grass".

There's too much hand-passing, too much negativity. He can't tolerate obstruction and third man tackling.

"When I was playing I loved to get a run up. Nowadays a man would stand in front of you and block your run and he'd get away with it," he fumed.

Mick pointed to Darragh Ó Sé as one of the few

midfielders who upholds the tradition of high catching. He also believes that the absence of players like Ó Sé from other county teams is an indictment on the current state of Gaelic football.

"There are county teams with midfielders who can't catch the ball or certainly never attempt to catch the ball. What does that say to you about the game?"

But those who have read the various interviews that O'Connell has given down through the years will realise that this is all familiar ground.

I wanted to know was there anything about the current game that he likes. Does he still attend big matches?

It turns out that he still goes to Croke Park, but not for any selfish interest.

His 31-year-old son, Diarmuid, who has Down's syndrome, is "fanatical" about Kerry.

"He is the joy of my life,'' says Micko. Father and son take a day to travel to Dublin, a day to watch the game, and a day to return.

Diarmuid is also a rabid Arsenal fan, and therefore, so is Mick. "I got into following them through Diarmuid," he explained, "They play great football, but they don't have enough money to compete with Man United and Chelsea."

Pure football and sportsmanship are constant themes with Mick O'Connell. When he attended an English league game featuring Sheffield Wednesday in the 1960s, he was hugely impressed by the way both sets of supporters applauded good play.

"The supporters mingled together as well, but that has all gone now,'' he sighed.

The Kerry legend clearly loves his sport. The man that rowed from Valentia Island now has Sky TV. The previous night he started to watch the final of the US Tennis Open but went to bed because it was on too late. (He rises at seven o'clock).

Before the tennis, he watched some American

Football although he's not a huge fan of the game. He also claimed "a good, pure game of rugby stirs me more now than a Gaelic football match".

Readers should take that last comment with a pinch of salt. He still watches a fair bit of the game in which he excelled.

When asked if there were any footballers outside Kerry that he particularly admires, he named two.

The first was Galway's Michael Meehan. "Now he is a good footballer. He played Kerry on his own. He can kick with both feet and he can also kick off the ground."

The second man mentioned was Tyrone's Stephen O'Neill -– and he wasn't being

mischievous.

Again, the ability to kick effortlessly with both feet was considered the trademark of a class act.

At this point during the interview, another man entered the café. It was Ned Fitzgerald. Mick O'Connell and Ned Fitzgerald are good friends. Ned was Mick's best man. I later discover that they meet every morning of the week.

Ned is 73-years-old. He has a strong, squat build and a square head covered by a huge clump of grey hair.

"This is another Kerry captain,'' says Mick.

"Yes, I captained them when we lost to

Waterford,'' said Ned with a chuckle.

Ned takes orders for tea and coffee and

refuses to allow The Irish News accounts

department to pay for it. He asks Mick if he would like a croissant. This provokes wide grins from both men. The tea arrives shortly afterwards with a plate of buttered toast. The Kerry captains dig in.

Ned has sallow skin and brown, brooding eyes. The family resemblance is obvious and by way of the conversation, I soon establish that he's the father of another Kerry legend, Maurice Fitzgerald.

But Ned is no giant and Maurice Fitzgerald is six foot two. Ned informs me that Maurice "got his mother's legs".

And so the fun begins. Ned has absolutely no interest in talking about his own playing career.

After a few verses of song, and a smattering of poetry, he tells me about his exploits as a kicking coach. He had two excellent pupils

– Mick O'Connell and his son, Maurice.

He went to Australia with Maurice for a

competition that featured the best kickers from various sports and various countries and they came home with a cheque for Aus $10,000.

He also went to America and acted as

mentor to his friend, Mick, who had been

pitted against Roy Gurelo, the kicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The competition took place during the interval of a Gaelic football match in the States. Both Gurelo and O'Connell had to take kicks with an oval ball and a round ball. Micko won.

As Ned regaled me with tales, out of the

corner of my eye I see Mick O'Connell

blessing himself when he finishes his toast. These men are old school.

They are also two seriously tough Kerry hombres. Ned had not been well recently, but he still swims in the broad Atlantic Ocean every day of the year.

Not surprisingly, these men take a dim view of the GPA's complaints about the hardship of the modern day players.

"I can't understand these men who talk about sacrifice,'' says Mick. "I loved playing football. And when I played football it didn't cost me anything. I got my passage paid anywhere I went. I only had to pay for my boots. If anyone thinks it's a sacrifice to play football then they should quit."

Ned keeps his counsel, but he doesn't

disagree. As his friend gives vent on another topic, Ned takes out his mobile phone and makes a call.

A few minutes later, Maurice Fitzgerald

enters the café and pulls up a seat. The table now features a former Kerry captain whose best friend and son are former Footballers of the Year� and me.

Maurice allowed his elders to take centre stage. It's hectic stuff. All topics are up for

discussion. We eventually come to the

All-Ireland final. Micko wants Kerry to win, but not at any cost: "I would hate to see a

repeat of what happened in the closing stages of the 2005 final,'' he said.

"Kerry were trying to get the ball down the field when a Tyrone player made a blatant foul. He just dragged a Kerry man down. There was no attempt to tackle him. He just wanted to stop the play."

Once again, Micko's distaste for gamesmanship has risen to the surface: "I am not just talking about Tyrone. I know Kerry could do the same thing and I'd hate any team to play that way. If you're not going to do something properly then you shouldn't do it all."

Micko's serious demeanour doesn't last long when his son, Diarmuid comes into the café.

Diarmuid lives in a home on Valentia Island with other Down's syndrome children. It's called Tíg An Oilean. Mick O'Connell donated the land for the building (estimated by Maurice Fitzgerald, an estate agent, to be worth about E1m) and devotes a good deal of his time fundraising for it.

Diarmuid is with his friend Alan and a

member of staff from Tíg an Oilean. The

already raucous atmosphere in the cafe rises to another peak when Diarmuid stands at the table and is posed a series of rapid-fire questions.

Ned asks: "What year did Mick O'Connell captain Kerry?" "1959"

A roar of approval.

Ned asks a second question, a trickier one. "What's my car's registration plate number?"

There's another cheer when the correct

answer is promptly delivered.

Maurice asks: "What was the score in the hurling final?"

"Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13."

Another cheer and Diarmuid beams with

delight.

His father then asks him: "What will the score be in the football final?"

"6-16 to 3-10," says Diarmuid. Then, after a considerable pause: "To Kerry."

And then – bedlam.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: orangeman on September 11, 2008, 12:24:39 PM
A very nice piece by Paddy again this week - those men in Kerry are legends and gentlemen as well.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hoof Hearted on September 11, 2008, 12:26:00 PM
its been running everyday this week, its the bomber today
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: cornafean on September 11, 2008, 01:04:42 PM
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on September 11, 2008, 12:15:48 PM

thought this was a good piece yesterday, apologies if alredy posted in another thread



Absolute class. Thanks for posting it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: T O Hare on September 11, 2008, 01:15:27 PM
some great pieces by Heaney this week!!!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Over the Bar on September 11, 2008, 01:22:02 PM
QuoteMy opinion is that Carrickmores last 2 championship winning teams were not average teams and had it not been for Mickey Harte then we certainly would have had more county players

Yes you might have had more county players but Tyrone would have fewer Sam Maguires.  Some thick gulpins would also prefer it that the Tyrone panel did not have an Errigal man at the helm and no Errigal players on it, but I doubt if many in Tyrone would agree with them.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: mhacadoir on September 11, 2008, 04:30:28 PM
who did he interview on monday? could anybody post the other pieces, that was a great piece he did there.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: feetofflames on September 11, 2008, 04:55:14 PM
To be fair I think next week he is going to even things up by going for 5 days reporting holiday in Tyrone.  I think the initial itinery included Dromore, Ballygawley Carrickmore, Coalisland and Ardboe but I understand the itinery has been revised and now includes Dungaanon instead of Carrickmore, anybody else hear this. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: 5 Sams on September 11, 2008, 05:05:47 PM
Quote from: orangeman on September 11, 2008, 12:24:39 PM
A very nice piece by Paddy again this week - those men in Kerry are legends and gentlemen as well.

Excellent reading I have to say but with all due respect to Paddy when you are interviewing guys like O'Connell and the Bomber the articles would write themselves...I'd say the skill is in deciding what to leave out when writing the article.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Drumanee 1 on September 11, 2008, 05:07:43 PM
Quote from: feetofflames on September 11, 2008, 04:55:14 PM
To be fair I think next week he is going to even things up by going for 5 days reporting holiday in Tyrone.  I think the initial itinery included Dromore, Ballygawley Carrickmore, Coalisland and Ardboe but I understand the itinery has been revised and now includes Dungaanon instead of Carrickmore, anybody else hear this. 

cant see paddy not going to carrickmore,sure his mother is from there and spent many a summer there watching the great carmen teams of the past
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bannside on September 11, 2008, 05:52:24 PM
100% Five Sams. Some characters allright.

About ten tears ago I got a phone call from a good friend from Tralee who was heading up to a Tyrone V Kerry national league match in Dungannon.

The man was Bill Kirby who owned a famous pub in Rock St (supposedly where they have more All Ireland medals than loose change). His son was making his senior debut for Kerry that day, ("young Willim") and the proud father wanted me to meet him for a pint and a chat in a local hotel, and show him where the ground was. He mentioned he had a few good characters with him in the car.

We met in the Inn on the Park, and the crack was mighty, as it always was with Bill, between the horsey chat, the dogs, and football too obviously. His companions for the day were Ned Fitzgerald, Mick O Connell and a football journalist for the Kerryman, not sure if it was Wishie Fogarty or not.

Later we went to the ground together, and got a space along the wire on the far side of the ground, the five of us. At half time Mick O Connell wandered off on his own, "to stretch the legs" and next thing we saw him walking through a gate, onto the middle of the pitch where the subs were kicking around. O Connell proceeded to put approx 5 or 6 kicks over the bar from a full 40 yards, without missing any. He walked off the pitch, cool as you like, and came back to join his original company, for the second half, not a bother, as they say!

William Kirby made his debut that day, the start of a career that wielded three all -ireland medals at midfield. The wee lad I had known since he was about eight years old had grown up, and could now talk in the same currency as so many in his neighbourhood.

His Dad sadly passed away earlier this year, but if Paddy Heaney is in Tralee this week, he should call in with "young Willim", probably pulling pints in Kirbys brogue Inn. It wont be long before he meets the football characters of Tralee, who thankfully I have had the pleasure of meeting on many occasions. And if you do Paddy, tell Mary I miss the old boy.

Just tell them its some fella from Antrim, they`ll know straightaway.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:33:35 PM
Quote6-16 to 3-10

And Diarmuid O'Connell would know these things.

Anyway excellent piece have been reading a few of them on the Kerry site this week. I will post them up here later.


Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:35:35 PM
Irish News Paddy Heaney

Myths and legends. The GAA is jam-packed with them, particularly when it comes to the business of winning Championships.

Popular folklore would have us believe that a Championship-winning team requires 15 superstars. Of course, people from places that haven't won that many trophies most often expound this theory.

Those in the know realise that nothing could be further from the truth. Fairly average Kerry footballers have been winning All-Ireland medals for the past 100 years.

The same phenomenon applies at club level. Once a parish gets a reputation for breeding winners, the path to glory becomes less rocky. Success can be infectious.

Players from a traditionally successful club will often adopt a poise, confidence, and even arrogance, that is notably absent from teams with no Championship pedigree.

There are some obvious examples in Ulster. Carrickmore spring to mind immediately. How the Carmen footballers have conspired to win their most recent Tyrone Championship titles beggars belief.

Although bereft of any county standard forwards, they've still been able to pick up the O'Neill Cup with routine regularity. The Carrickmore jersey has probably played as big a role in those victories as the men wearing it.

Bellaghy are another prime example. The Wolfe Tone's can win Derry Championships on auto-pilot. Last year they had a thoroughly ordinary team – and still came within a kick of the ball of winning the John McLaughlin Cup.

Clubs like Carrickmore and Bellaghy provide strong evidence that success owes as much to attitude as ability.

For the best example of success fostered in tradition and expectation, we need look no further than Kerry.

If there is a handy All-Ireland title up for grabs, they'll win it.

Sometimes the green and gold jersey is all that is required in Croke Park. Mayo men go weak at the knees when faced with it. Kerry did their almighty best to lose the 1997 All-Ireland final but Mayo still couldn't put them away. Kerry won more by default than by design.

During the last two years we watched Kerry pick up two All-Irelands without having to extend themselves in the showpiece game of the year. The All-Ireland finals of 2006 and 2007 were unmitigated disasters. They'll be remembered as the 'Kerry Cakewalk Years.' Mayo and Cork

capitulated and were crushed.

We shouldn't begrudge Kerry their 34th and 35th All-Ireland crowns. While they take full advantage of their easy route out of Munster, they maintain a consistency that's not matched by any other county.

By the same token, we shouldn't fall into the trap of believing all that 'Kingdom' codswallop that has clearly brainwashed the southern counties.

Kerry footballers are not born any better than the rest of us. If that were the case, they'd have won more than two All-Ireland minor titles during the past 28 years. (In the same

period, Tyrone, Down and Derry have all won three each).

The Kerry people can claim a great deal of the credit for the mythology and mystique that surrounds their teams. Listen to them closely and you'll realise that they rarely criticise their own players. And they'll certainly never disabuse you of the notion that the Kingdom produces a superior specimen of footballer.

We've been drip-fed a diet of stories that Kerry are the custodians of the beautiful game for so long that many no longer question it. They are also commonly regarded as the beholders of good sportsmanship and fair play.

Thankfully, we in the north are a more cynical lot and are less inclined to genuflect at the Kingdom's altar.

The begrudging outcry that emanated from some Kerry mouthpieces following the defeats to Armagh (2002) and Tyrone (2003) proved that they find defeat just as bitter and as unpleasant as the rest of us.

And the conduct of the current senior team has made a total mockery of any suggestion that the Kingdom's footballers are a more angelic bunch than their fellow countrymen.

Aidan O'Mahony's dive showed that some Kerry players are just as willing to cheat as their rivals. This is also a fairly undisciplined Kerry squad. They were missing two first team players at the weekend through suspension. Darragh Ó Sé tried to knock out Pearse O'Neill, while Paul Galvin got three months for knocking the book out of referee Paddy Russell's hand.

But then these Kerry players clearly have an issue with referees, as was evident when they

surrounded Jim White on Sunday.

This is not to say that Kerry are bigger sinners than anyone else. The point is that they are just as flawed as everyone else.

Yet, for all their misbehaviour and misdemeanours, this Kerry side can still be a joy to watch. It was utterly impossible not to admire their silky skills as they chalked up 1-21 during a monsoon against Galway.

We must also credit Kerry for finding the solution to the blanket defence and returning the tactical emphasis to attacking play.

Tyrone smothered Kerry in the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final by deploying an ultra-conservative defensive system.

Tyrone won 0-13 to 0-6. Mickey Harte will realise that it would be impossible to achieve a repeat of that result against a Kerry side containing the twin towers of Kieran Donaghy and Tommy Walsh.

If Tyrone only score 13 points in the final, they'll lose. We've moved swiftly from the era of the blanket defence to the blanket attack – and for this we must pay due homage to a Kerry side that has scored an average of 21 points in their last three games.

Despite the fact that they've won two All-Irelands on the trot and redesigned the template for Gaelic football, it is this Kerry's team major misfortune that question marks hang over their claims to greatness.

This uncertainty exists due to their facile victories against Mayo and Cork. The fact that they've yet to beat Tyrone has undermined their considerable achievements.

Their performances in this year's Championship suggests that they are a good team with a lot of great players. In contrast, Tyrone produce great teamwork with a lot of good players.

They are starkly contrasting teams and it should be a contest to savour. At long last, Kerry are going to face a battle in the All-Ireland final.

Donning the green and gold jersey will not be enough to lift the Sam Maguire Cup this year. Tyrone will not believe in the myths surrounding their opponents. But if Kerry succeed in winning three-in-a-row then this side will be rightly considered as legends of the game.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:36:26 PM
Kerry. It's the GAA's answer to Hollywood.

A place where legends become fact and where footballers have film star appeal.

From Mick O'Connell to Jack O'Shea, we've been brought up believing that the Kingdom is a factory for famous footballers, a county where all the forwards can kick with both feet and the

midfielders can touch the clouds.

But, dear reader, let me bring the Kerry footballers down to earth for one moment.

Having stopped off at a Division One league game between Castleisland Desmonds and Ardfert yesterday afternoon, I can confirm with some conviction that Kerry club football is every bit as rugged, mean-spirited and scrappy as it is elsewhere in the country.

Nevertheless, after listening to several hours of non-stop radio debate about recession, banks, property and budgets – the spectacle on offer was a welcome relief.

The rhythm of the place was wholly familiar. Men leaned over the steel barriers in scattered groups. Two lads sat with their legs dangling from a scoreboard. The management teams occupied opposite sidelines. It was still the first half so no-one was getting too excited.

The bulk of the crowd had gathered near the main stand, but opted to remain in the sunshine. There were Celtic tracksuits, Manchester United tops, three-quarter length shorts and a healthy whiff of cigarette smoke. It could have been anywhere in Ulster.

I got talking to Ger O'Mahony. He was from Ardfert, the visiting team.

Ger liked football, so did his family. His daughter is on the Kerry ladies' team.

"Football has got shock'n serious,'' said Ger, who was at his second game that day, having watched an under12 match earlier in the morning. He also planned to go home and take in the All-Ireland hurling final.

"They train three times a week and do a gym session as well,'' said Ger.

"Who does?" I asked. "The Ardfert seniors?"

"No. The Kerry ladies,'' said Ger...

The Ardfert seniors were going well. At the start of the second half, they led by four points.

Ger was talking me through the team. When I mentioned that one defender was very fast, he

immediately pointed me to a member of the forward line.

"The number 11 is a really good athlete. He can play too. He's a nephew of John McCarthy who played midfield for Kerry in 1975."

I nodded my head as I tried to filter the words of a statement that had been delivered in about half a second, while also trying to give the impression that I remembered John McCarthy.

Meanwhile, Ardfert's fortunes on the field had taken a turn for the worse. The Desmonds had slammed home two goals and were in

command. The Ardfert management team responded quickly. A white-bearded man who was dapperly dressed compared to his colleagues shouted a switch.

"You might know him,'' said Ger. "That's Martin Ferris."

"Martin Ferris, the TD,'' I said. "The very man,'' said Ger.

"Is he the manager?" I asked. "No," said Ger.

"Why then is he making the switch?"

"Sometimes he gets a bit carried away,'' answered Ger.

As if to prove Ger's points, Martin Ferris TD then stepped a few yards onto the pitch to give some important information to a half-forward whose man had won a breaking ball.

"Just do your f****** job and get in front of your f****** man,'' screamed Martin Ferris TD.

It wasn't what you'd call parliamentary language, but Martin's electorate didn't seem to mind.

Ger was completely unperturbed and he changed the topic to the All-Ireland final.

He told me that I should have been in Killarney earlier that morning because Paul Galvin was due to train with the Kerry side for the first time since his suspension expired on Saturday night.

Ger wants Kerry manager Pat O'Shea to start the game with Galvin and Darragh Ó Sé. He's quite confident that Kerry will win because he reckons "Tyrone aren't as good as they were a few years ago."

But the subject of the All-Ireland final didn't last long. A Castleisland Desmonds player dropped to the deck seeking treatment as the game entered the last few minutes.

Ger was not impressed.

"That's a thing that has come into Kerry football in the last few years.

"Players are going down to run down the clock when their team is in front. Twenty years ago that would never have happened. You only went down if you had to go down," he said.

"That's been part and parcel of Derry football for the past 20 years," I informed Ger, whose team lost to a Desmonds side that played the entire game with seven defenders.

"Most Kerry club teams play with just five forwards,'' revealed Ger.

I told him that it was much the same in the north.

It seems Kerry football has more in common with the northern game than some of their sons would have us believe.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:36:53 PM
Another Irish News article:

By way of explaining to Weeshie Fogarty why I was going to spend a week in the Kingdom, I said to him: "There is a fascination with Kerry football in the north."

"There is a fascination with Kerry football in Kerry,'' came the prompt response from the other end of the line.

Weeshie (short for Aloysius) is my Kerry contact.

I first encountered him four years ago when I was a guest on his award-winning radio programme, Terrace Talk.

Broadcast by Radio Kerry every Tuesday night, Terrace Talk is essential listening for any man, woman or child in Kerry that professes an interest in football.

Weeshie also has a column in The Kerryman newspaper. Mike Sheehy also has a column in The Kerryman, but the thoughts of the eight-time All-Ireland medallist can be found on the inside pages.

Weeshie's column is on the back page – and for good reason.

Here are a few extracts from Weeshie's last column about the All-Ireland semi-final replay. The sight of David Moran (son of Ogie Moran) coming onto the pitch and taking a vital catch reminded Weeshie of the old adage that "an ounce of breeding is worth a ton of feeding."

And the manner in which Darren O'Sullivan and Colm Cooper linked to score the match-winning goal into the "railway end'' prompted Weeshie to recall how "two other Killarney townies, Tadghie Lyne and Johnny Culloty had combined to rescue Kerry with the equalising goal against Cavan at this very same goal in 1955. Kerry won the replay."

The 14-year-old Weeshie was at that game in Croke Park and he's missed very few since. He was a goalkeeper and played minor, U21 and senior football with Kerry. The reserve 'keeper to Johnny Culloty, he was on the Kerry squad that won the All-Ireland title in 1969. A

detached retina ruined his career.

Although he has now established himself as a much-loved broadcaster and journalist, Weeshie made a late entry to the media game. He spent 32 years working as a psychiatric nurse in St Finnan's Hospital in his native Killarney.

You get the sense that football was a much-needed outlet for Weeshie. Anyone who loves football should meet him at least once.

His eyes twinkle at the mention of former greats. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of games and players. He has played with and against the likes of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer. He is a treasure trove of anecdotes.

When I met him yesterday morning in his native Killarney, he told me about his latest project. He is compiling a team of the 15 classiest footballers ever to wear the Kerry jersey.

The key criteria are skill, balance and technique. I rhymed off a few names. Maurice Fitzgerald, Mick O'Connell, Colm Cooper, Mike Sheehy. I could see Weeshie nodding his head in agreement.

Then I said: "Spillane, Pat Spillane." Fortunately, I quickly corrected myself. "No, he was probably more about speed than skill."

"That's right Pid-ay,'' said a clearly delighted Weeshie, who reacted like a enthusiastic school teacher.

Weeshie then confirmed some of the other names. Johnny Culloty was the goalie, John O'Keefe was the full-back, O'Connell and Shanie Walsh were at midfield. Tómas Ó Sé was at wing-back.

I raised my eyebrows when Weeshie mentioned Ó Sé's name. "Tómas Ó Sé has scored 3-20 in Championship football for Kerry," came the firm and authoritative response. I thought better than to argue with a man who knows the scoring total of a wing-back.

After we'd polished off some tea and scones, Weeshie took me on a tour of his town.

Our first stop was Jimmy O'Brien's pub. The fact that it's painted green and gold is the first sign that it might be a football pub. The walls inside are a museum of information. There is a framed copy of Luke Kelly's memory card. A photograph of Mick O'Connell in full flight. Signed hurling sticks. Uileann pipes. A framed copy of a column that Con Houlihan had written for The Kerryman about digging turf.

Jimmy, the elderly owner, was the occupant. He was seated with his back to a wall, sorting out club lotto tickets that he sells for the

Gneeveguilla club. Dr Croke's and Killarney Legion are the main clubs in Killarney, but Jimmy sells them for Ambrose O'Donovan who is one of his customers.

Tom Long, another All-Ireland medallist, is also a regular.

The next spot on the tour was Tatler Jack's. It's owned by Eddie O'Sullivan who was a selector to three different Kerry managers. His son is the vice-chairman of the Kerry county board, while his son-in-law is Pat O'Shea, the current manager of the senior football team.

Eddie was brushing the front step when we approached. Paul Galvin was the main topic. He was due to train with the seniors that night. As we talked, a young fella in a suit walked past.

"That's Pat Corridan,'' said Eddie to me, "He's on the Kerry panel."

I checked a programme. He was No.30 for the last game. Eddie must have recognised him by the back of his head.

From Tatler Jack's, we nipped down an alleyway which led us to an estate agent shop bearing the name of Tom Spillane, who just has the three All-Ireland medals.

"Colm Cooper doesn't live far from here either," noted Weeshie as we headed to meet Donie Sheehan, the selector who discovered 'the Bomber' Liston.

Donie had nipped out to his chemist shop, but Weeshie told the story: "Donie spotted 'the Bomber' at a trial match. He said 'the Bomber' was awful slow but he knew that O'Dwyer would be able to make a footballer out of him."

We finished our walk of the town back at Weeshie's house. He lives a short distance from the hospital where he worked, and the Kerry

Legion ground where he played.

Johnny Culloty, the man who kept him out of the Kerry team, and who captained the county to All-Ireland victory in 1969 lives four doors away.

The O'Shea family live next door to the Fogartys. "Four boys out of that house won All-Ireland medals with Dr Croke's in 1992," said the proud neighbour.

Weeshie's wife, Joan has just returned from a pilgrimage to Lourdes. She went with Johnny Culloty's wife.

"The Bishop wanted to know why you and Johnny weren't there,'' said Joan.

"Bishop Murphy would have loved the two of them there,'' said Joan before explaining that the religious leader is "a fierce man for the

football".

Before leaving, Weeshie arranged to pick me up later that evening as I was going to be a guest on his Terrace Talk show. It's the ultimate honour for any non-Kerry citizen.

In the meantime, Weeshie has to prepare a talk that he will give to the Kerryman's Association in Dublin tomorrow morning.

The topic is: "The Secret of Kerry Football."

Anyone who takes a dander around Killarney in the company of Weeshie Fogarty will find the secret staring them in the face.

There is no secret. It's called obsession.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:37:31 PM
In his time as Kingdom manager Jack O'Connor delivered two All-Ireland titles – 2004 and 2006 – and was beaten in the 2005 final by Tyrone.

He's since stepped off the inter-county carousel and is currently managing Kerin O'Rahilly's of Tralee.

He misses the buzz of the big days.

Who wouldn't? And yet, he can't see himself ever returning to it, having already ruled out a crack at the Dublin job.

O'Connor appears to have mellowed since making way for Pat O'Shea in 2007.

Life isn't so manic. He no longer has to be in the zone, 24/7.

It's not an exaggeration to say that he got his life back when he stepped down as Kerry boss.

Nowadays, there's an easiness around him that perhaps wasn't there when dealing with the media as senior manager of Kerry football.

Now, a few years down the road, he laughs when you mention some of the uncomplimentary things he said about northern commentators.

"Ah, sure look," he says. "I didn't mean any insult to anybody in the north.

"The only thing I would say about it is that the problem was with northern commentators – and certainly not the managers or players.

"Some of the commentators up there didn't quite give Kerry the credit they deserved [for winning the 2004 and '06 All-Ireland titles, or the '07 one for that matter)."

Indeed, Mickey Harte made precisely the same point when he pondered the prospect of facing Kerry in this year's All-Ireland final.

O'Connor explains: "If Tyrone and Armagh had won 10 All-Irelands apiece and they didn't beat Kerry, we'd never say: 'Ah, but you never beat Kerry'. That stuff gets on my nerves.

"Some people were kind of saying that Kerry can only win soft All-Irelands. Maybe any criticism I made at the time was in reaction to that. I've huge respect for people like Mickey Harte and the job he's done in Tyrone.

"Tyrone has an awful lot to be thankful to Mickey Harte for and I still don't think he's got the credit he deserves for what he's done up there."

In 2003, the phenomenon of Tyrone was a wake-up call that, some would say, wasn't heeded until three years later.

"I thought we'd been able to handle Tyrone in either '04 or '06. The reason for that was in '04 Johnny Crowley was awesome in that final [against Mayo] as a target man.

"I think Kerry has to have a real ball-winner in the full-forward line, a target man, if you like, to play their most effective football.

"Now, Johnny Crowley retired in '05 and obviously Kieran Donaghy was on the panel, but wasn't ready and, at that time, was seen as a midfielder. So I just felt we were lacking that kind of ball-winner in the '05 final."

He recalls: "The facts speak for themselves: we kicked something like 24 balls into the full-forward line against Tyrone and only won nine of them – and there's no better team than Tyrone to beat you on the counter-attack.

"I took over the Kerry team in 2003 a couple of months after the team lost to Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final where they had basically smothered Kerry," O'Connor recalls.

"We were only allowed to kick six points in that '03 semi-final.

"Looking at the games, I just felt Kerry had to start moving the ball a whole lot quicker because if you hesitate on the ball against Tyrone and, given their hunger and the way they tackle, they'd eat you up.

"Fellas needed to come out of defence with real pace and purpose and move the ball quickly. Now, if you're moving lateral or not coming out with good support play you're in trouble.

"I thought we did that reasonably well in 2004. But we came up against Tyrone in the 2005 final and I went away after that thinking: 'Jeez, we're going to have to take it to another level'."

Ironically, Kerry shaded the midfield battle in that '05 final, but O'Connor noted the mountain of scores the Red Hands fashioned from turnovers.

He also marvelled at the scoring economy of Tyrone's front six in Croke Park that day.

"Canavan, O'Neill, Dooher and McGuigan were at the height of their powers, and, on top of that, you had Owen Mulligan who got man-of-the-match in the final and Ryan Mellon kicked a couple.

"You know, you always have little regrets, but Tyrone deserved to win that final. They were awesome.

"And yet, I thought we were going really well going into that final. We'd beaten Cork by something like 13 points in the semi-final and we thought we were ready, but we came up against a real machine that day."

Kerry's style had to change and quickly.

Kieran Donaghy, a raw midfielder, was thrown in on the edge of the square for the Kingdom's first All-Ireland Qualifier against Longford. And the rest, as they say, is history.

"In 2006, we had changed our style," says O'Connor.

"We were kicking the ball and keeping our half-forward line further up the pitch.

"I felt we had a really good system by the end of 2006. I felt whatever team we'd come up against they wouldn't be able to use the

swarming defence against us because we were moving the ball with pace and purpose.

"For instance, if you look at the goal Donaghy got against Armagh in the 2006 All-Ireland quarter-final, that ball from Sean O'Sullivan was a great floating, diagonal ball into the edge of the square.

"No matter how quickly guys get back into defence, if that ball goes in properly and you've got a man like Donaghy in there, then it's very hard to defend against.

"I felt if we'd have met Tyrone in '06, with the way Donaghy was going, I feel we would have been able to handle them."

The eagerly-awaited sequel with Tyrone never materialised.

The Red Hands slipped up against Laois in the Qualifiers, while Jack O'Connor's Kerry plundered their way through the back door before beating Mayo again in the '06

decider.

Despite the fact that Tyrone weren't good enough to make the '06 final as well as factoring in Kerry's convincing win over Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, there were cries from the north that suggested Jack's boys only won handy All-Irelands.

The claim was akin to a battered and bruised Jake LaMotta goading his conqueror and boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson for not being able to floor him after one of their many memorable contests during the forties.

"Well, I'll tell you now," says O'Connor. "The two All-Irelands that Kerry won when I was involved as manager, it didn't bother me unduly who we played in the final.

"Right now, one commentator in particular has been making the point that this Kerry team is not a great team and that they haven't beaten great teams in finals.

"But do you have to beat a great team in a final to be regarded as a great team?

"You could beat one on the way to a final.

"We got tremendous satisfaction out of turning things around in '06 and beating Armagh in the quarter-final.

"The Armagh that we played in '06 was, in my book, a great team that in fact should have won a second All-Ireland.

"I tried to pick up a lot of things from Armagh. They played that good, diagonal ball into their

full-forward line and showed great kicking out of defence.

"They had a fantastic system of play and I'd be big into trying to get a team to play to a particular system. I thought Armagh's was an awesome system.

"In the first half, the Armagh machine was functioning at its peak and we were just hanging on by our finger-tips. But Donaghy's goal just after half-time turned that game�"

Much has been made of the fact that Kerry's dominance this decade doesn't include the scalp of the Red Hands. Neither does O'Connor

discount the notion that Pat O'Shea's players will be extra-motivated because it's Tyrone they're playing on September 21.

"I know people are making a huge deal of it [playing Tyrone], and maybe there is a huge incentive for the Kerry players to beat Tyrone," admits O'Connor.

"If you look at it, Tyrone is the only side to have beaten Kerry since '03. If you took away the '05 final Kerry would now be going for five-in-a-row.

"Tyrone stopped Kerry winning two-in-a-row in '05 and they're trying to stop the three-in-a-row effort in '08, so there are big incentives for Tyrone as well.

"I suppose the Kerry players would like to beat Tyrone in an All-Ireland final because they are basically the only team that this group of players hasn't beaten in Championship.

O'Connor fancies his native county to come out on top in this year's All-Ireland duel with Mickey Harte's Tyrone team.

He believes that Kerry now possess the players especially in the full-forward line to claim their third successive Sam Maguire.

"I'd say, man-for-man, Kerry have possibly the better individuals, but the big challenge is: can they break down that Tyrone system that has been working well for so many years?"

The Red Hands are also buoyed by the astonishing return of Stephen O'Neill to the inter-county stage after quitting last year. It has been reported that the 28-year-old was persuaded to come back to the fold without having played a game.

The finer detail of O'Neill's comeback may well become clearer in the weeks and months ahead, but O'Connor isn't exactly sure what dynamic O'Neill's presence will bring to the Tyrone team and, indeed, to this final.

O'Connor, however, can relate somewhat to parachuting a star player into a big game. Whatever brittle consensus was formed among his squad, O'Connor decided to field Tadhg Kennelly in an U21 All-Ireland semi-final against Galway in 2002.

"Tadhg was home from Australia on holidays and we decided to use him as an impact sub. We didn't win the game, but his performance

suggested that it was the right thing to do, in fact many people thought he should have been used in the senior final against Armagh that year," O'Connor reasons.

"But it's very hard to talk from a distance about what effect O'Neill will have on the workings of the panel. But look, it's very simple.

"The only ones who may have a problem are people who wouldn't be on the first XV and would feel that his arrival will jeopardize their chances of coming on."

He adds: "At the end of the day, everybody is selfish and players will think of themselves. No matter what they say in public, they'll be feeling that in private.

"Stephen O'Neill was a great player. I don't know if he's still a great player because I haven't seen him in action for a while.

"In 2005, that man was a scoring machine.

"If O'Neill comes on and they don't win the All-Ireland, then obviously there are going to be repercussions. That's the chance you take."

Of course, Gaelic football is ruthless psychological warfare.

Perhaps O'Neill's re-introduction is an attempt to offset the imminent returns of Paul Galvin and Darragh O Se to the Kerry team ahead of their face-off with the Ulstermen.

Galvin hasn't kicked a ball since he slapped Paddy Russell's notebook out of his hands during their provincial opener with Clare, but Pat O'Shea is bound to use his sin-binned captain either from the start or at the earliest possible juncture in this month's All-Ireland decider.

"I know Paul Galvin has been working exceptionally hard and I know how much he's been hurt over the suspension," reflects O'Connor. "But he'll be an absolutely massive boost for Kerry whether he starts or comes on. It'll lift the Kerry crowd the same way in which Canavan lifted the Tyrone crowd in the '03 final.

"And Darragh is also huge for Kerry. For them to get over Cork without him was huge. I think they missed him in the second half because [Nicholas] Murphy took over..."

There's a small part of O'Connor that likes the dust to be shaken off those years of 2004-2006 when he managed Kerry. He remembers every ball that was kicked, every stat and every crunching tackle received and delivered.

But there's another part of him that's moved on. It's hard to tell if O'Connor got the credit he deserved as senior manager because everything in Kerry moves on. There's always another All-Ireland waiting out there for them.

"We won the '06 final and I brought the cup back to my own club Pearses, Dromid and I thought to myself: 'Do you know something, it's not going to get much better than this'.

"So I decided to take a break. I was just physically and mentally very tired as well after around 15 years involved with Kerry teams.

"As regards this final, Kerry players will have a massive incentive.

"When you get beaten by a team in the All-Ireland final you want to get back and redress the situation as quickly as possible."

As it turns out, Kerry have had to wait three long years....
   
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: armaghniac on September 11, 2008, 07:19:39 PM
Quote"If Tyrone and Armagh had won 10 All-Irelands apiece and they didn't beat Kerry, we'd never say: 'Ah, but you never beat Kerry'.

Bollix.

Quote"We got tremendous satisfaction out of turning things around in '06 and beating Armagh in the quarter-final.
.............
"In the first half, the Armagh machine was functioning at its peak and we were just hanging on by our finger-tips. But Donaghy's goal just after half-time turned that game"

This is why Tyrone should be concerned. When the pressure came on against a team that had got one over on them they produced the best football seen all year to beat Armagh.Kerry motivation should not be doubted.





Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: cadhlancian on September 11, 2008, 07:32:14 PM
Quote from: bannside on September 11, 2008, 05:52:24 PM
100% Five Sams. Some characters allright.

About ten tears ago I got a phone call from a good friend from Tralee who was heading up to a Tyrone V Kerry national league match in Dungannon.

The man was Bill Kirby who owned a famous pub in Rock St (supposedly where they have more All Ireland medals than loose change). His son was making his senior debut for Kerry that day, ("young Willim") and the proud father wanted me to meet him for a pint and a chat in a local hotel, and show him where the ground was. He mentioned he had a few good characters with him in the car.

We met in the Inn on the Park, and the crack was mighty, as it always was with Bill, between the horsey chat, the dogs, and football too obviously. His companions for the day were Ned Fitzgerald, Mick O Connell and a football journalist for the Kerryman, not sure if it was Wishie Fogarty or not.

Later we went to the ground together, and got a space along the wire on the far side of the ground, the five of us. At half time Mick O Connell wandered off on his own, "to stretch the legs" and next thing we saw him walking through a gate, onto the middle of the pitch where the subs were kicking around. O Connell proceeded to put approx 5 or 6 kicks over the bar from a full 40 yards, without missing any. He walked off the pitch, cool as you like, and came back to join his original company, for the second half, not a bother, as they say!

William Kirby made his debut that day, the start of a career that wielded three all -ireland medals at midfield. The wee lad I had known since he was about eight years old had grown up, and could now talk in the same currency as so many in his neighbourhood.

His Dad sadly passed away earlier this year, but if Paddy Heaney is in Tralee this week, he should call in with "young Willim", probably pulling pints in Kirbys brogue Inn. It wont be long before he meets the football characters of Tralee, who thankfully I have had the pleasure of meeting on many occasions. And if you do Paddy, tell Mary I miss the old boy.

Just tell them its some fella from Antrim, they`ll know straightaway.
also a great post :)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: cadhlancian on September 11, 2008, 07:37:30 PM
Quote from: Kerry Mike on September 11, 2008, 06:35:35 PM
Irish News Paddy Heaney

Myths and legends. The GAA is jam-packed with them, particularly when it comes to the business of winning Championships.

Popular folklore would have us believe that a Championship-winning team requires 15 superstars. Of course, people from places that haven't won that many trophies most often expound this theory.

Those in the know realise that nothing could be further from the truth. Fairly average Kerry footballers have been winning All-Ireland medals for the past 100 years.

The same phenomenon applies at club level. Once a parish gets a reputation for breeding winners, the path to glory becomes less rocky. Success can be infectious.

Players from a traditionally successful club will often adopt a poise, confidence, and even arrogance, that is notably absent from teams with no Championship pedigree.

There are some obvious examples in Ulster. Carrickmore spring to mind immediately. How the Carmen footballers have conspired to win their most recent Tyrone Championship titles beggars belief.

Although bereft of any county standard forwards, they've still been able to pick up the O'Neill Cup with routine regularity. The Carrickmore jersey has probably played as big a role in those victories as the men wearing it.

Bellaghy are another prime example. The Wolfe Tone's can win Derry Championships on auto-pilot. Last year they had a thoroughly ordinary team – and still came within a kick of the ball of winning the John McLaughlin Cup.

Clubs like Carrickmore and Bellaghy provide strong evidence that success owes as much to attitude as ability.

For the best example of success fostered in tradition and expectation, we need look no further than Kerry.

If there is a handy All-Ireland title up for grabs, they'll win it.

Sometimes the green and gold jersey is all that is required in Croke Park. Mayo men go weak at the knees when faced with it. Kerry did their almighty best to lose the 1997 All-Ireland final but Mayo still couldn't put them away. Kerry won more by default than by design.

During the last two years we watched Kerry pick up two All-Irelands without having to extend themselves in the showpiece game of the year. The All-Ireland finals of 2006 and 2007 were unmitigated disasters. They'll be remembered as the 'Kerry Cakewalk Years.' Mayo and Cork

capitulated and were crushed.

We shouldn't begrudge Kerry their 34th and 35th All-Ireland crowns. While they take full advantage of their easy route out of Munster, they maintain a consistency that's not matched by any other county.

By the same token, we shouldn't fall into the trap of believing all that 'Kingdom' codswallop that has clearly brainwashed the southern counties.

Kerry footballers are not born any better than the rest of us. If that were the case, they'd have won more than two All-Ireland minor titles during the past 28 years. (In the same

period, Tyrone, Down and Derry have all won three each).

The Kerry people can claim a great deal of the credit for the mythology and mystique that surrounds their teams. Listen to them closely and you'll realise that they rarely criticise their own players. And they'll certainly never disabuse you of the notion that the Kingdom produces a superior specimen of footballer.

We've been drip-fed a diet of stories that Kerry are the custodians of the beautiful game for so long that many no longer question it. They are also commonly regarded as the beholders of good sportsmanship and fair play.

Thankfully, we in the north are a more cynical lot and are less inclined to genuflect at the Kingdom's altar.

The begrudging outcry that emanated from some Kerry mouthpieces following the defeats to Armagh (2002) and Tyrone (2003) proved that they find defeat just as bitter and as unpleasant as the rest of us.

And the conduct of the current senior team has made a total mockery of any suggestion that the Kingdom's footballers are a more angelic bunch than their fellow countrymen.

Aidan O'Mahony's dive showed that some Kerry players are just as willing to cheat as their rivals. This is also a fairly undisciplined Kerry squad. They were missing two first team players at the weekend through suspension. Darragh Ó Sé tried to knock out Pearse O'Neill, while Paul Galvin got three months for knocking the book out of referee Paddy Russell's hand.

But then these Kerry players clearly have an issue with referees, as was evident when they

surrounded Jim White on Sunday.

This is not to say that Kerry are bigger sinners than anyone else. The point is that they are just as flawed as everyone else.

Yet, for all their misbehaviour and misdemeanours, this Kerry side can still be a joy to watch. It was utterly impossible not to admire their silky skills as they chalked up 1-21 during a monsoon against Galway.

We must also credit Kerry for finding the solution to the blanket defence and returning the tactical emphasis to attacking play.

Tyrone smothered Kerry in the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final by deploying an ultra-conservative defensive system.

Tyrone won 0-13 to 0-6. Mickey Harte will realise that it would be impossible to achieve a repeat of that result against a Kerry side containing the twin towers of Kieran Donaghy and Tommy Walsh.

If Tyrone only score 13 points in the final, they'll lose. We've moved swiftly from the era of the blanket defence to the blanket attack – and for this we must pay due homage to a Kerry side that has scored an average of 21 points in their last three games.
Despite the fact that they've won two All-Irelands on the trot and redesigned the template for Gaelic football, it is this Kerry's team major misfortune that question marks hang over their claims to greatness.

This uncertainty exists due to their facile victories against Mayo and Cork. The fact that they've yet to beat Tyrone has undermined their considerable achievements.

Their performances in this year's Championship suggests that they are a good team with a lot of great players. In contrast, Tyrone produce great teamwork with a lot of good players.

They are starkly contrasting teams and it should be a contest to savour. At long last, Kerry are going to face a battle in the All-Ireland final.

Donning the green and gold jersey will not be enough to lift the Sam Maguire Cup this year. Tyrone will not believe in the myths surrounding their opponents. But if Kerry succeed in winning three-in-a-row then this side will be rightly considered as legends of the game.
and tyrone have scored an average 0f 19.5 points over there last 3 games ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hoof Hearted on September 12, 2008, 09:04:34 AM
BEARDS. It seems they're all the rage these days. But it was never just a trend for Eoin Liston. He started growing his in the cot.

"I've had it since I was 19 or 20,'' he says. We've never seen the 'Bomber' any other way. The big, graceful bear on the edge of the square. Everyone's favourite full-forward.

He did shave it off once, but not for charity, as is also the trend these days. He took the razor to his cheeks "in Australia in 1990 for the craic".

The 'Bomber' enjoys a bit of merriment, although he does his fair share of charity work.

He sold his seven All-Ireland medals a few years ago because he wanted to donate the proceeds to charity. His offer was publicised by Gay Byrne on The Late Late Show.

"Tim O'Mahony from Toyota bought them. He paid £20,000, which was a fair bit of money at the time, but he returned the medals to me. I still have them."

Those medals have enabled Liston to keep enjoying the craic while doing his bit for worthy causes.

He and his sparring partner, Ogie Moran were special guests at a huge charity golf event that was held in La Manga earlier this year. By all

accounts, they were a non-stop double act for the entire weekend.

"We had a bit of fun. Those medals are still working for us because we are still getting trips here and there.''

In La Manga, they sang and they drank. When Eoin forgot the words, his sidekick Ogie would fill in the gaps. The old co-ordination and chemistry is still there.

They had a ball, although they didn't play much golf. It has always been such with Eoin Liston. Of course, no man wins seven All-Ireland medals without being a driven competitor.

Liston just made it look easy and he sang a few songs and drank a few pints along the way. He retains particular affection for his trips to Ulster for pre-Christmas League games.

"We came up for the craic really. Being honest, our preparation would have left a lot to be desired. If we won the All-Ireland in

September, we didn't take it serious again until the first of March. For a few League matches, after that you would have started to get a wee bit more serious.

"They were just great weekends. Every match is fierce important now. Those games were important like. Some fellas got their fun out of the craic the night before. Some others got their fun out of playing right well on the day of the match. It was different strokes for different folks. We had some great trips up north at that time."

The 'Bomber' will be back in Ulster tonight when he is the guest speaker at The Irish News Allstars and the audience will get a chance to rubs shoulders with the former Kerry star.

Some questions they won't need to ask him are about the origins of his nickname. He's had it since his days as a teenager in south Kerry.

"We played soccer on the beach in Ballybunion every Saturday. Gerd Muller was a lazy fella who used to hang around the square for

Germany. He was playing in the World Cup at that time. It stuck (pronounced 'schtuck').

With his characteristic lightness of touch, he also dismissed the myth that Mick O'Dwyer took him for individual training sessions. The story goes that Micko would play full-back and he'd mark Liston. Micko would get someone to rain high balls on top of them. The Kerry manager would harass, pull and torture the gentle giant, thereby moulding him into the crafty predator that was unleashed on Dublin in 1978.

"Folklore,'' says the softly-spoken Liston, before quietly pointing out that he was on the Kerry U21 squad that won successive All-Ireland crowns in 1976 and 1977.

There was no room for rough diamonds in a group of players that included Charlie Nelligan, Mick Spillane, Seanie Walsh, Pat Spillane, Ogie Moran and Jack O'Shea. They would go on to change the face of Gaelic football and enter the pantheon of all-time great teams.

Dublin couldn't cope with Liston when he was sprung on them in his debut year. The 6 foot 3 inch full-forward scored a hat-trick in the 1978 final. He was also at his lightest ever weight, "13 stone 11  and that was with my appendix out as well''.

He grew with each medal. "I was 16' 3'' when I played my last game for Kerry," he says with a wry grin.

The 'Bomber' won his medals in two sequences. There was the run of four-in-a-row from '78 to '81. Then, the three-in-a-row from '84 to '86.

The current side will attempt to emulate their famous predecessors next Sunday. They're going for their third title on the trot. Were it not for Tyrone's victory against them in 2005, Darragh O Se and the boys would be going for five in-a-row.

Liston acknowledged that that defeat to Tyrone, and the one in 2003, have stung Kerry.

"Beating Tyrone in a final is huge from our point of view. There is no talk about a three in-a-row. It is just about beating Tyrone and getting this one. The players feel that it would diminish their other two if they don't beat Tyrone.

"People in Kerry are just happy to win this match by a point and to beat Tyrone more so than anything else."

The 'Bomber' is also convinced that the battle on the sidelines will have a huge influence in dictating the final outcome.

"I think tactics are going to play a big part in this game. Are we going to be playing everything into Kieran Donaghy? Or do we have a Plan B and a Plan C?"

The 52-year-old has huge respect for Tyrone, but he also thinks Kerry have moved on since their defeat to the Red Hands in 2005.

"The last time we played Tyrone, we didn't have Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Tommy Walsh or Killian Young. This team has evolved.

Tyrone have also lost Peter Canavan and he is a huge loss."

It's also evident that Liston is no navel-gazing Kerry fan. He knows the Tyrone squad inside out and has a keen appreciation of its scoring potential.

"All the six forwards score. And they have Mulligan and O'Neill on the bench. That's eight very good scorers. Then you have McGinley at midfield, who was a forward.

Jordan, McMenamin, Harte and Gormley can all score from defence. That's 13 players who can score. Sure that's unbelievable."

The 'Bomber' will no doubt be aware that 14 Kerry men have scored in this year's Championship. But the old habits die hard and Kerry men have to watch what they say.

Liston is surrounded by former comrades at the branch of the Nationwide Bank that he manages in the centre of Tralee. Charlie Nelligan has a bakery and coffee shop a few doors up. A little further up the street, Mick O'Dwyer has a fast food outlet. Across the road, Eoin points out a financial consultancy business owned by Seanie Walsh.

"He also owns half the town and you have my permission to print that,'' he says.

Thankfully, the 'Bomber" is one Kerry man who never took it all too seriously.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on September 12, 2008, 09:54:54 AM
Excitement in the Kingdom is not a matter of painted sheep

There is no banner of Kieran Donaghy draped over a pub in Tralee. No sheep dyed green and gold in Cahirciveen. No painted cars in Killarney.

There is no bunting in the Kingdom. Driving into the county from Limerick, the first town I entered was Abbeyfeale. There was scarcely a flag.

Truth be told, there were two. I counted them. One was outside a hardware shop, the other hung from the bank. Castleisland was much the same.

There are more flags in Killarney. But one suspects they are there to brighten the place up for the tourists. It has been raining for several months.

But you can't blame the Kerry folk for the absence of the mania that is par for the course in Ulster when a team reaches the All-Ireland final.

Kerry teams have qualified for seven of the nine finals since the turn of the century.

Let's be honest. It's not a huge novelty. However, this is not to say that they are in any way blase about the outcome of next Sunday's game.

Flags go up and flags go down, but a Kerry man's obsession with football is permanent.

Jimmy O'Brien is a good example. He's an old timer. He wears a shirt and tie, a jacket, and braces for his trousers. Nearly 80, he still goes to all the Kerry games in Croke Park. He was also at this year's National League final in Parnell Park.

His passions are football and music. As I returned from the newsagent yesterday morning, I met Jimmy. He was leaving his pub (completely unattended) to do a message.

As we chatted, Weeshie Fogarty drove past. Weeshie joined us after parking/abandoning his car on the main street in Killarney with the keys in the ignition.

The craic was good. Jimmy had heard Dungiven's Francie Brolly at various fleadhs over the years. He was able to imitate him perfectly.

Weeshie insisted that Jimmy should sing me a few songs. We ended up back in the pub while Weeshie's car was left double-parked with the

engine running. We were there for some time.

It was all songs and stories. Songs and stories about Kerry and Kerry footballers.

Yet, it would be grossly misleading to suggest these Kerry men are interested only in their own domain.

Nothing could be further from the case. While we in Ulster may have a certain fascination with Kerry, they also have a certain fascination with Tyrone.

Jimmy O'Brien is a huge fan of the Tyrone minor team. He relished Kyle Coney's recent exhibition against Meath and is sorely

disappointed the Ardboe lad is heading to Australia.

And all the Kerry men, without exception, are particularly interested in Mickey Harte. Nearly everyone I met asked me about the Tyrone manager. "What is he really like?" they asked.

Mick O'Connell admires Harte and loves his unequivocal criticism of the International Rules Series.

Maurice Fitzgerald totally agreed with Harte's decision to recall Stephen O'Neill for the final.

"You should do anything you can that will help you win an All-Ireland final because winning is heaven," said Maurice. He didn't need to say what hell is.

Eoin Liston was intrigued to discover who Harte will put on Colm Cooper. 'The Bomber' reckons Conor Gormley will mark Kieran Donaghy and Justin McMahon will pick up Tommy Walsh.

'The Bomber' realises that leaves Harte with a decision to make. Does he deploy Ryan McMenamin on Cooper and sacrifice Ricey's

attacking skills from the half-back line? Or does Harte keep the tried and tested formation and put Ciaran Gourley on him?

"The game could hinge on who marks the Gooch,'' said 'The Bomber'.

The Kerry cognoscenti will watch Harte's moves closely. Their huge respect for him is obvious.

But then, this county is all too aware of the influence one great manager can wield.

Tyrone have Mickey. Kerry had Micko.

After I interviewed Eoin Liston in Tralee on Wednesday evening, I went in search of a bite to eat.

A few doors up from the bank where Liston works, I saw a fast food outlet called 'Micko's'.

'Could it possibly be? I thought. The green and gold chairs were the first clue. The green and gold menu was the second. The sight of a familiar face winking down from the walls confirmed my suspicions.

Micko's grinning face is also on the food cartons, the cups... everything really.

Kentucky has Colonel Sanders. Kerry has Mick O'Dwyer.

Of course not all the attention in Kerry is focused on Harte's tactical manoeuvres. The question of whether Pat O'Shea should start Paul Galvin is the number one talking point in Kerry this week.

The topic is discussed on bar stools, on the street, on the radio and in newspapers. Interestingly, the decision does not rest solely with Kerry manager Pat O'Shea.

While Ulster managers enjoy a Stalinist control of team selection, Kerry still operate a selection system.

Pat O'Shea has two selectors, Sean Geaney and Dave Geaney (no relation) and all three men get a vote. It has always been this way.

At one stage in the 1930s, there were 13 selectors. Although a democratic process, it has caused some huge controversies.

An incredible incident took place before the 1953 All-Ireland final between Kerry and Armagh.

John Joe Sheehy, a former Kerry great, was one of five selectors. John Joe's son, Paudie was captain of the team. He played at wing

half-forward.

When the five selectors sat down to pick the 15 men who would start the All-Ireland final, John Joe left the room when they came to decide who would wear the jersey normally worn by his son.

When John Joe returned to the room, his son was no longer on the team and Jas Murphy was the new team captain.

These Kerry men take their football pretty seriously. Their attitude is captured in a verse of a song that I heard in Jimmy O'Brien's pub

yesterday afternoon. (The lyrics were written by the late Gary McMahon, a good friend of Jimmy's, who won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry in 1962).

You cannot box or bottle it or grasp it in your hand, But pride of place and love of race inspired a love of land,Time honoured is our birthright you will never break the mould,That's deep within the soul of us that wear the green and gold.

When Jimmy delivered the last line, he couldn't help himself. It was a reflex action. With a clenched fist and eyes alight, he shouted: "Bring on Tyrone."

Like I say, there may be no bunting, but these Kerry men are every bit as excited about this game as they are in Tyrone.


Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on September 12, 2008, 10:16:31 AM
Someone should have broken it to him that Abbeyfeale is actually in Limerick, and not Kerry (like Strabane isn't in Donegal, and Lifford isn't in Tyrone)!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: JMohan on September 12, 2008, 12:48:02 PM
Quote from: bannside on September 11, 2008, 05:52:24 PM
100% Five Sams. Some characters allright.

About ten tears ago I got a phone call from a good friend from Tralee who was heading up to a Tyrone V Kerry national league match in Dungannon.

The man was Bill Kirby who owned a famous pub in Rock St (supposedly where they have more All Ireland medals than loose change). His son was making his senior debut for Kerry that day, ("young Willim") and the proud father wanted me to meet him for a pint and a chat in a local hotel, and show him where the ground was. He mentioned he had a few good characters with him in the car.

We met in the Inn on the Park, and the crack was mighty, as it always was with Bill, between the horsey chat, the dogs, and football too obviously. His companions for the day were Ned Fitzgerald, Mick O Connell and a football journalist for the Kerryman, not sure if it was Wishie Fogarty or not.

Later we went to the ground together, and got a space along the wire on the far side of the ground, the five of us. At half time Mick O Connell wandered off on his own, "to stretch the legs" and next thing we saw him walking through a gate, onto the middle of the pitch where the subs were kicking around. O Connell proceeded to put approx 5 or 6 kicks over the bar from a full 40 yards, without missing any. He walked off the pitch, cool as you like, and came back to join his original company, for the second half, not a bother, as they say!

William Kirby made his debut that day, the start of a career that wielded three all -ireland medals at midfield. The wee lad I had known since he was about eight years old had grown up, and could now talk in the same currency as so many in his neighbourhood.

His Dad sadly passed away earlier this year, but if Paddy Heaney is in Tralee this week, he should call in with "young Willim", probably pulling pints in Kirbys brogue Inn. It wont be long before he meets the football characters of Tralee, who thankfully I have had the pleasure of meeting on many occasions. And if you do Paddy, tell Mary I miss the old boy.

Just tell them its some fella from Antrim, they`ll know straightaway.

I was there that day.

The only thing you I can correct in it was that he actually climbed over the wire on to the top of the dugout!!!!  ;D

He proceded to demand the ball from Jamsie O'Connor the Kerry sub, who wasn't sure whether to give it to him or not since the GAA had introduced the 'no subs kicking around at half time rule' ... anyway yup he started kicking around.

I had heard a story about him in Waterford a few months ago and I pointed to him on the field and said 'there is Mick O'Connell' ... I was laughed at and told 'go home and rest your head' ... but an old man behind me told the others ... hang on that was Micko ... he said no one has that style of kicking only Micko.

Nearly as crazy a story about him soloing turnips in the garden ....!!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: tyssam5 on September 12, 2008, 06:11:21 PM
The 52-year-old has huge respect for Tyrone, but he also thinks Kerry have moved on since their defeat to the Red Hands in 2005.

"The last time we played Tyrone, we didn't have Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Tommy Walsh or Killian Young. This team has evolved.
--------------------------------------------------
Well I know Galvin wasn't quite the household name he is now back in 2005, but surely the 'Bomber' should know he was in the starting 15 for the 2005 final?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Seamus on September 12, 2008, 06:45:22 PM
Hopefully before The Bomber is 52 years old we will be celebrating 4 in a row.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: AFS on September 12, 2008, 07:40:37 PM
The Armagh that we played in '06 was, in my book, a great team that in fact should have won a second All-Ireland.

"I tried to pick up a lot of things from Armagh. They played that good, diagonal ball into their full-forward line and showed great kicking out of defence.

"They had a fantastic system of play and I'd be big into trying to get a team to play to a particular system. I thought Armagh's was an awesome system.

"In the first half, the Armagh machine was functioning at its peak and we were just hanging on by our finger-tips. But Donaghy's goal just after half-time turned that game�"


Considering we don't have an awful lot to shout about at the minute, its good to hear that if this current Kerry side do complete the great 3 in-a-row feat that Armagh will have had a good deal of influence in the way they went about it.

I'd also like to give a bit of praise for Paddy Heaney. He comes under a bit of stick at times but I'd have to say I thoroughly enjoyed all his articles this week
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on September 12, 2008, 09:01:12 PM
Quote from: tyssam5 on September 12, 2008, 06:11:21 PM
The 52-year-old has huge respect for Tyrone, but he also thinks Kerry have moved on since their defeat to the Red Hands in 2005.

"The last time we played Tyrone, we didn't have Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Tommy Walsh or Killian Young. This team has evolved.
--------------------------------------------------
Well I know Galvin wasn't quite the household name he is now back in 2005, but surely the 'Bomber' should know he was in the starting 15 for the 2005 final?

Yes, a rare comment from the bomber. The most iconic image from the '05 final was Mulligan catching the ball, barely challenged by a timid Galvin, in the move that set up God's goal.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: tyssam5 on September 12, 2008, 09:55:49 PM
Quote from: ONeill on September 12, 2008, 09:01:12 PM
Quote from: tyssam5 on September 12, 2008, 06:11:21 PM
The 52-year-old has huge respect for Tyrone, but he also thinks Kerry have moved on since their defeat to the Red Hands in 2005.

"The last time we played Tyrone, we didn't have Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, Tommy Walsh or Killian Young. This team has evolved.
--------------------------------------------------
Well I know Galvin wasn't quite the household name he is now back in 2005, but surely the 'Bomber' should know he was in the starting 15 for the 2005 final?

Yes, a rare comment from the bomber. The most iconic image from the '05 final was Mulligan catching the ball, barely challenged by a timid Galvin, in the move that set up God's goal.

You must be recalling that wrong O'Neill. Galvin is a half-forward for Kerry, what would he be doing back in the edge of his own square, sure that's puke football.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: the green man on September 12, 2008, 09:59:56 PM
Christ can a man not make a mistake ( or maybe Heaney made it knowing that them lot would bounce on it ) I'd say Listons opinions would gather more support throughout the country than youse two lachicos
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on September 12, 2008, 10:24:19 PM
Quote from: the green man on September 12, 2008, 09:59:56 PM
Christ can a man not make a mistake ( or maybe Heaney made it knowing that them lot would bounce on it ) I'd say Listons opinions would gather more support throughout the country than youse two lachicos

Heaney stated today: A few doors up from the bank where Liston works, I saw a fast food outlet called 'Micko's'. 'Could it possibly be? I thought. The green and gold chairs were the first clue. The green and gold menu was the second. The sight of a familiar face winking down from the walls confirmed my suspicions. Micko's grinning face is also on the food cartons, the cups... everything really.

Yet 2 days earlier he claimed that Liston told him this. Heaney's losing it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: the green man on September 12, 2008, 10:42:34 PM
The wife works up in Derry and she tells tells me that she heard Phil Coulter practising some song about Cahirciveen in the Millenium Forum
Title: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: 5 Sams on December 22, 2009, 09:50:54 AM
Excelled himself again today with a great piece on Maurice Fitz.....sorry I cant put it up....maybe someone else will oblige....Goldenyears?/
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on December 22, 2009, 03:14:30 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on December 22, 2009, 09:50:54 AM
Excelled himself again today with a great piece on Maurice Fitz.....sorry I cant put it up....maybe someone else will oblige....

I don't see the facility to copy and paste with the new online package 5 Sams, apologies.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on December 22, 2009, 03:38:44 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on December 22, 2009, 09:50:54 AM
Excelled himself again today with a great piece on Maurice Fitz.....sorry I cant put it up....maybe someone else will oblige....Goldenyears?/

Maurice Fitz got great coverege on NewsTalks Off the Ball yesterday too. Playing mighty stuff for the club apparently. 40 years old too.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on December 22, 2009, 03:41:44 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on December 22, 2009, 09:50:54 AM
Excelled himself again today with a great piece on Maurice Fitz.....sorry I cant put it up....maybe someone else will oblige....Goldenyears?/

Looked very like a piece he did last year when he visited Kerry  :o
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: charlieTully on December 22, 2009, 03:48:10 PM
Quote from: longrunsthefox on December 22, 2009, 03:41:44 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on December 22, 2009, 09:50:54 AM
Excelled himself again today with a great piece on Maurice Fitz.....sorry I cant put it up....maybe someone else will oblige....Goldenyears?/

Looked very like a piece he did last year when he visited Kerry  :o

you are spot on, a total rehash of a previous article, lazy git.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 03:55:29 PM
not really. If you read the article he makes no effort to hide the fact that he met MF during last years trip to Kerry - in fact he makes this statement in the opening 2 or 3 paragraphs.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.

Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on December 22, 2009, 04:01:20 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 03:55:29 PM
not really. If you read the article he makes no effort to hide the fact that he met MF during last years trip to Kerry - in fact he makes this statement in the opening 2 or 3 paragraphs.

but then he rehashed that meeting... again
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:03:36 PM
there are definite similarities because he is reminiscing about the same meeting but I wouldnt call it a rehash. Personally, I quite enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on December 22, 2009, 04:14:27 PM
Whatever...  Maurice Fitz was definitely something special, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: thewanderer on December 22, 2009, 04:21:09 PM
Maurice was a class act but Heaney is a prat, talks mainly about his own silly exploits and is biased for certain counties and clubs
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on December 22, 2009, 04:31:43 PM
Quote from: thewanderer on December 22, 2009, 04:21:09 PM
Maurice was a class act but Heaney is a prat, talks mainly about his own silly exploits and is biased for certain counties and clubs


Appealing to his readers I suppose.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: goldenyears on December 22, 2009, 08:47:06 PM
5sams I got away with the 1 subscription for about 3 years! And about 10 lads in work used same login!

They have got wise to me + cut me off lol
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.

Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????

Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, i'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are number one for Gaelic Games then
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on December 22, 2009, 10:44:58 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, i'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are number one for Gaelic Games then

Don't think it really matters. All papers cliam to be something they're not. The Irish Times claims to be the paper of record FFS.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: crossfire on December 23, 2009, 12:05:06 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.

Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????

Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, i'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are NUMBER ONE FOR GAELIC GAMES then

Well if they are not, who is then ?.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 10:18:16 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.

Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????

Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, i'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are number one for Gaelic Games then

who gives better coverage? IN may not give as much to hurling as you want but its still the market leader for Gaelic Games in the North of Ireland.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Milltown Row2 on December 23, 2009, 10:34:32 AM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 10:18:16 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.
Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????

Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, I'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are number one for Gaelic Games then

who gives better coverage? IN may not give as much to hurling as you want but its still the market leader for Gaelic Games in the North of Ireland.

its this statement that is annoying. as you clearly know that the 'overwhelmingly vast majority' of the readers are into football ::) ::)

can you back that up with figures?  in Antrim alone there are 40 clubs with I'd say Irish News readers that play both football and hurling. so in one County alone the vast majority of of its readers are getting short changed. I'll not get into the figures of the other counties. i know it drops but that is a sizeable audience
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on December 23, 2009, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 23, 2009, 10:34:32 AM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 10:18:16 AM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 10:14:13 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 22, 2009, 04:00:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on December 22, 2009, 01:40:19 PM
Is Paddy a one trick pony? Gaelic football and nothing else? A bit like The Irish News.

They claim that the majority of the people who read it are Footballers so thats why they publicise it more. Which is a cop out in my opinion

To generate interest in a sport (like hurling) the Irish News and other Media should promote both sports equally.

Gaelic Life is worse again, two pages in total!!!

But i do like some of his work, he can be a bit smug at times. And claim things he never done (standing on his seat at the boxing match, cheering and clapping on McCloskey) but thats ok, some of us do that here ;)

to be fair there are regular pieces and columnists about hurling. Sands for instance.

The simple fact of the matter is that hurling is not terribly popular in the North and the overwhelmingly vast majority of readers are either primarily interested in or solely interested in football. This is called a target audience.
Why should the Irish News promote hurling with equal coverage to football? They are trying to sell papers and their audience is a mainly football one. If they are going to promote equality should they have 1 page for football, 1 for hurling, 1 for road bowls, 1 for handball, 1 for soccer, 1 for swimming, 1 for rugby????

Irish News claims to be number one for Gaelic Games, I'd agree that they number one for Gaelic Football. Sands gets one page once a week!!!

i'd like to see the break down on how Gaa members in Ulster play hurling and football. and how many play just the one. In Belfast alone we have only 2/3 single code clubs at senior level (they may have juvenile hurling teams) from 22 clubs. how many club in all of Fermanagh in total? so the target audience is there. but we are being short changed.

I've been playing both sports since i was 10 (still do!!) so while my main passion is hurling i still enjoy playing football

sell papers for the target audience is fine but stop claiming they are number one for Gaelic Games then

who gives better coverage? IN may not give as much to hurling as you want but its still the market leader for Gaelic Games in the North of Ireland.

its this statement that is annoying. as you clearly know that the 'overwhelmingly vast majority' of the readers are into football ::) ::)

can you back that up with figures?  in Antrim alone there are 40 clubs with I'd say Irish News readers that play both football and hurling. so in one County alone the vast majority of of its readers are getting short changed. I'll not get into the figures of the other counties. i know it drops but that is a sizeable audience

There you go! You've spotted a gap in the market... why don't you fill it and see how much profit you make by introducing a Hurling Publication into Ulster! Not very much I would reckon.

The Irish News are a well established business and their coverage reflects this... Say for example there are 500 odd clubs in Ulster with maybe less than 1/5 of that being Hurling/Dual Clubs.... then their coverage would reflect this.

Trust me if it meant getting a sizeable amount of new readers the Irish news would cover more hurling like a shot.

My own view is that their Hurling Coverage is more than adequate. Our Minor Hurlers won Ulster there and had a sizeable half page on it. Should St. Gall's win the hurling then I'm sure they will get decent coverage also.

Given the actual popularity of Ulster Hurling with players/supporters and its lack of quality on the National Stage I think they get more coverage than they probably should.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Milltown Row2 on December 23, 2009, 11:05:28 AM
Aye cheers screen i'll look into that gap in the market...... Nob :P

coverage at best of Hurling in the Irish News is shite, thats a fair reflection.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 11:56:15 AM
i think the point is that if there was more interest in hurling, there would be more coverage.

I dont think its a pre conceived idea by the Irish News to annoy the hurling fraternity.

PS your previous statement on the popularity of hurling is balls. Theres little to no hurling in Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone, most of Down, Monaghan, Cavan. There is interest in parts of Derry, Down and Fermanagh and admitedly a sizeable interest in Antrim. However, in these places there is also (for the most part) equal or greater interest in football.

I'm not getting down on hurling or belittling it but just trying to point out that it is nowhere near football in terms of following or popularity in Ulster. I dont see how this can possibly be disputed. People who try to argue otherwise are kidding themselves on.

Look at the individual club championships in each county and then Ulster and then at the inter county scene of both codes and you'll see the difference. In hurling Armagh and Derry played an Ulster semi in front of about 500 spectators this year did they not? How many attended the Ulster Final, a couple of thousand? Thats a bad return for even a McKenna Cup match.

Hurling is on its arse in Ulster bar 1 or 2 club sides, thats the sad truth of the matter unfortunately.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Milltown Row2 on December 23, 2009, 12:36:17 PM
Quote from: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 11:56:15 AM
i think the point is that if there was more interest in hurling, there would be more coverage.

I dont think its a pre conceived idea by the Irish News to annoy the hurling fraternity.

PS your previous statement on the popularity of hurling is balls. Theres little to no hurling in Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone, most of Down, Monaghan, Cavan. There is interest in parts of Derry, Down and Fermanagh and admitedly a sizeable interest in Antrim. However, in these places there is also (for the most part) equal or greater interest in football.

I'm not getting down on hurling or belittling it but just trying to point out that it is nowhere near football in terms of following or popularity in Ulster. I dont see how this can possibly be disputed. People who try to argue otherwise are kidding themselves on.

Look at the individual club championships in each county and then Ulster and then at the inter county scene of both codes and you'll see the difference. In hurling Armagh and Derry played an Ulster semi in front of about 500 spectators this year did they not? How many attended the Ulster Final, a couple of thousand? Thats a bad return for even a McKenna Cup match.

Hurling is on its arse in Ulster bar 1 or 2 club sides, thats the sad truth of the matter unfortunately.

and will continue to be unless it gets proper coverage. generate interest and it will become popular. stick it away in the corner and eventually it will die out.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: eireogatron on December 23, 2009, 12:55:35 PM
yeah, you might very well have a point there. however, is this the responsibility of the Irish News or the Hurling Council / GAA?? What is being done by the organisation to turn the tide with regard to schools/clubs etc and traditionally non-hurling Gaels being brought into hurling? I for one have never had any opportunity to play the sport, be educated on it etc.

Thats where the problem lies IMO, not with the media. Although I understand your frustration.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Minder on December 23, 2009, 01:59:31 PM
The thing that annoys me about the hurling coverage in the Irish News is the standard of journalism when there is coverage. The main one seems to be the fella O'Hara, going by his reports he knows as much about hurling as my arse does about snipe shooting.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: blanketattack on December 23, 2009, 02:50:34 PM
Anyone else having problems accessing the irishnews website http://www.irishnews.com (http://www.irishnews.com)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Minder on December 23, 2009, 03:00:01 PM
Quote from: blanketattack on December 23, 2009, 02:50:34 PM
Anyone else having problems accessing the irishnews website http://www.irishnews.com (http://www.irishnews.com)

Aye, I want to access it without paying for it but they are having none of it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: thewobbler on December 23, 2009, 03:10:48 PM
Quoteand will continue to be unless it gets proper coverage. generate interest and it will become popular. stick it away in the corner and eventually it will die out.
This is a bit of a cart before the horse scenario. It's not the role of a private newspaper to generate content that doesn't interest its readership. To this end the Irish News is no more responsible for providing a balanced hurling content than the Newsletter is.

Hurling folk in the North always cry foul about a lack of funding, coverage and equality for their game. I would suggest they should concentrate this energy on improving thier base product.  If Ballygalget can get within a hair's breadth of defeating a star-studded Newtownshandrum side, it would suggest the playing gap isn't quite as big as the quite frankly ridiculous series of defeats suffered by Down and Antrim in recent years infers. So do the problems lie elsewhere? Are hurling folk unable or unwilling to come together as a team? For when an Ulster hurling team does rise from the ashes as National level, it will be a bigger boon for the game than 10,000 bylines from Paddy Heaney would be.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Minder on December 23, 2009, 03:19:00 PM
I think there were 3 from that Newtownshandrum team that had represented Cork. Two O'Connors and Mulcahy. There is a world of difference between club and inter county hurling.

The gaps in standards between Antrim and Down and the strong counties down south is as big as the beatings suggest.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Out in Front on December 23, 2009, 04:52:56 PM
From Down/Armagh  - getting weekly hurling fixtures/results, league tables, club championship dates and venues would be a start...at all grades...not just senior.

Clubs have to take responsibility too if they want to promote hurling through the local media...and not just when they win a match.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on February 09, 2010, 01:03:07 PM
Heaney has really surpassed himself today... hyping up Derry.
You'd think he'd have more sense, but his analogy about foxes is way out.
He says, "A study revealed that 26 per cent of trapped foxes chewed their limbs off in order to avoid capture."
Then goes on to waffle about wild young foxes on the Derry team.
ffs.. how many foxes have you ever seen with a limb missing? I've never encountered that and know a lot more about foxes than the average GAA supporter.  Seen a boy on the Late Late Show who cut off his own arm when caught in a rock in a mountain. As usual with Derry league v championship  form and fox analogies... Paddy doesn't look at their record.       
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ziggysego on February 09, 2010, 01:07:27 PM
Fox's are getting smarter

(http://www.utahtrappers.org/images/fox.jpg)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Man Marker on February 09, 2010, 01:14:36 PM
LRTF, Paddy is a mad derry supporter. He should leave his derry bais at the front door of the Irish News. How does his editor allow him to get away with it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: haranguerer on February 09, 2010, 01:16:46 PM
I'd love it if you chewed some of your own limbs off fox - chiefly those you use for typing!  :P  :D



Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: DirtyDozen12 on February 09, 2010, 01:19:54 PM
Quote from: haranguerer on February 09, 2010, 01:16:46 PM
I'd love it if you chewed some of your own limbs off fox - chiefly those you use for typing!  :P  :D

BOOM BOOM  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Man in the Stand on February 09, 2010, 02:09:39 PM
Paddy Heaney has made a habit of hyping up Derry and other counties performances when it suits his agenda i.e to get access to players and managers for stories. When things arent going well he is given less access and turns his frustration into pot shots at the management and the county boards. At present he has access to players and Damien Cassidy and all is sweetness and light but when things go wrong (i hope they dont) he will again return to form and complain/criticise.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on February 09, 2010, 02:31:13 PM
Quote from: haranguerer on February 09, 2010, 01:16:46 PM
I'd love it if you chewed some of your own limbs off fox - chiefly those you use for typing!  :P  :D

My secretary types these messages for me  :-*
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: sawel on February 09, 2010, 08:09:50 PM
I stand to be corrected but i don't think he has yet made a positive comment about how the refurbished Celtic Park.
He always gave me the impression that he would be happier 'working' from a curtain-sider in Glen.
However to give him credit he does write some good articles, but today paper had too much about Derry. I dread to see his articles if when we beat Tyrone in a championship game.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: whiskeysteve on February 09, 2010, 10:59:50 PM
I think yous are being harsh on Heaney.

Firstly, the article itself. He doesnt hype up derry so much as suggest that a lot of last years bunch had the mindsets of institutionalised losers, so to speak. He merely observes that Cassidy may be building a team around a spine of last years players who fought to the death. At no point did he predict great success come championship so I wouldnt regard his piece as hyperbole.

Secondly, obviously the man will show a tendency to write more about Derry, but a quick glance at other GAA journos would suggest he is hardly criminal in this regard. For example, though I enjoy Jerome Quinns vimeo uploads, a quick glance through his collection shows how ridiculously (and nauseatingly :)) it is skewed towards Tyrone

Lastly, the real archvillian of overhyping Derry is Brolly. The man cant help flamboyantly hoisting derry men on pedestals, sometimes a week prior to knocking off time. Has one of the major lessons of recent championships not been that Derry are at their most vulnerable when they are looking like the real deal!? His articles are good craic but feck me, in 'the genius of the bradleys' we've had paddy bradley texting to confirm his genius in getting a goal off the right boot, in another mcgilligan observing that joe diver is 'one big b**tard', in another fergal doc being the best hitter of men in ireland, etc. Thats just off the top of my head.

On the topic of these columns in general; if you stared long enough in the alphabet soup of the great derry league performances of the past 10 years you could assemble any number of 'this time its different' spiels. We've been down this road too many times by now. I'll start to believe Derry can win Ulster when I see back to back victories in the championship. Of course it sounds like a bit of a cynical attitude and I hope no member of the Derry setup ever shares it! And for that matter, it's Heaney's job to avoid cynicism and pick up signs of potential success on the horizon. Apathy don't sell!

But for all that it was an interesting piece by Heaney and I hope it has resonance come the summer (at last!)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: orangeman on May 25, 2010, 09:55:00 AM
Brilliant article this week from Heaney -



" To the officials in Croke Park who are in charge of training and appointing match officials, I would make one simple request : please give us our game back. "
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Down South on June 01, 2010, 11:18:57 AM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D

That makes him 28 next week.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: A Quinn Martin Production on June 01, 2010, 12:00:13 PM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D

Hope you're not operating the scoreboard anywhere TOH ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rois on June 01, 2010, 01:37:36 PM
But if TOH is right about the birthday then he's right about Heaney's article - he's only 27 (until next week) whereas Paddy Heaney says he'll be 29 later this year.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: the wildebeest man on June 01, 2010, 01:56:09 PM
Quote from: A Quinn Martin Production on June 01, 2010, 12:00:13 PM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D

Hope you're not operating the scoreboard anywhere TOH ;)

And I hope Paddy Heaney's not operating one either. We beat Dungiven by a point in the game he is referring to. 0-14 to 1-10.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 02:00:56 PM
Quote from: Down South on June 01, 2010, 11:18:57 AM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D

That makes him 28 next week.

He is still only 27 TO next week!!!!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: A Quinn Martin Production on June 01, 2010, 02:04:51 PM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 02:00:56 PM
Quote from: Down South on June 01, 2010, 11:18:57 AM
Quote from: T O Hare on June 01, 2010, 11:07:32 AM
a good article today Paddy but you made a mistake... Benny Coulters birthday is the 7th June 1982 which makes him only 27 to next week... ;D ;D

That makes him 28 next week.

He is still only 27 TO next week!!!!!

Ooops, apologies TOH, I'm a bit dyslexic which raises its ugly head now and again.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: saffron sam2 on June 08, 2010, 09:50:12 PM
Superbly satirical piece by Heaney in today's Irish News.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on June 08, 2010, 10:43:44 PM
Quote from: saffron sam2 on June 08, 2010, 09:50:12 PM
Superbly satirical piece by Heaney in today's Irish News.

Satirical?

A rock of sense surely!  ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Maguire01 on June 08, 2010, 10:48:57 PM
He did put a different perspective on Sludden's performance.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on June 08, 2010, 10:59:50 PM
Can anyone post it?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on June 08, 2010, 11:24:32 PM
It's not possible to copy and paste from the Irish News these days ardmhacaabu -- and much though you're a great lad, I just don't have the time to type it out for you at the minute ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ardmhachaabu on June 08, 2010, 11:31:06 PM
No bother ya bie ya
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Winnie Peg on June 08, 2010, 11:39:05 PM
Heaney is developing into the country's top GAA journalist.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zapatista on June 08, 2010, 11:49:30 PM
Quote from: Winnie Peg on June 08, 2010, 11:39:05 PM
Heaney is developing into the country's top GAA journalist.

There's a new top journalist here every week.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: our_fella on June 08, 2010, 11:53:10 PM
Has nobody else here noticed how Heaney has completely changed his tone of referee's? Was it not only several weeks back where he wrote an awful article about the men in black? And god knows where he got inspiration for that article todayt after that shambles on how on Sunday. We all know the Mallon v Woods clash has different views but what did McDonnell, McManus etc get yellow cards? I think the groan coming from the crowd on both sides should give an indication on how the ref's seem to book for anything. And how was Sludden appointed this match in the first place after his display that night in the marshes?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Pangurban on June 09, 2010, 01:17:17 AM
Not a bad piece by Heaney today, provided some fodder for debate, without indulging in his usual sweeping generalisations
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: mackers on June 09, 2010, 10:59:22 AM
Thought the article was a load of rubbish myself. He attributed the fact that Sunday's game was so open SOLELY down to the ref. Personally I've never seen Armagh's defence be so open with POR being on record as saying that he is trying to get us to play more offensively. Monaghan were the second highest scorers in Division 1 this year but also conceded the second highest total also. So maybe, just maybe, the two teams who do have a reputation for attritional football decided to go out and play a bit as they have been trying to do all year.
From where I was standing, the open football on show had feck all got to do with Sludden.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Main Street on June 09, 2010, 12:51:35 PM
Maybe it was an open game despite Sludden.
But the game stayed that way, not even one little ruckus.
He dished out some soft yellow cards, but does he dish out second yellows with such abandon?
Pat McEneaney tends to give advantage to the attacking player when surrounded, Sludden tended to give advantage to the defenders, penalising the attacker if he doesn't get shod of the ball in an instant.


Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Main Street on June 10, 2010, 01:14:36 PM
Paddy Heaney's article from the IN
Pundits in denial about threat of tactical fouling

was printed by/uploaded to, the Examiner
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/pundits-in-denial-about-threat-of-tactical-fouling-122010.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/pundits-in-denial-about-threat-of-tactical-fouling-122010.html)

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
Pat dreams of the day when footballers will be able to run gaily through the field without any fear of getting clogged up in the congestion of a screen defence. When Pat criticised referee Martin Sludden for showing six yellow cards in the first half of Sunday's game in Casement Park, he displayed an ignorance and naivety about the cynicism of the modern footballer and the modern game.

Bemoaning Sludden's style of refereeing, Pat said: "A yellow card should be a serious deterrent for a serious foul. Yellow cards are being thrown out like confetti at a wedding. You are often wondering if there was a foul there or not. A yellow card should be for dangerous play."

If Pat had been in charge of Sunday's fixture, he would have shown no yellow cards, and the game as a consequence would have quickly deteriorated into a stop-start farce.

When the modern forward realises that a tactical foul will only draw a free-kick, then he fouls all day.

But there is a good reason why Armagh and Monaghan didn't generate the 82 frees which occurred when they met in last year's qualifiers.

In stark contrast to last season's eyesore, Sunday's game was a cracking contest that contained many spell-binding passages of play and a very modest 38 free-kicks.
In the 19th minute, the reliable Martin Carney praised the teams for their "positive application which was making a very enjoyable match".
Make no mistake, there is no doubt that Martin Sludden contributed to the wonderful display of attacking football which was witnessed in Casement Park. He achieved this by a judicious and appropriate use of the yellow card.

Sludden sent out a clear message in the third minute when he booked Stephen Gollogly after the Monaghan player grabbed Paul Duffy by the waist.
These fouls look innocuous but they are cynical. Because teams are coached how to fall into defensive formations if they lose kick-outs, the majority of scores now come from counter-attacks.

The easiest and most effective way to prevent scores from counter-attacks is to nip the danger in the bud by conceding a foul in the other team's defence.
Another proven method of reducing scores is to bully and harass the opposition's star forward. John Paul Mone received the game's second yellow after an off-the-ball exchange with Steven McDonnell.

By that stage, McDonnell had taken Dessie Mone for three points. JP had just moved onto McDonnell and was making his presence felt.
By booking Mone, the referee showed forwards were going to be protected from any of the game's darker arts.

Tommy Freeman was another name in the book when he committed another tactical foul on Duffy. It was Freeman's second offence as he had previously fouled Gareth Swift in the 11th minute.
It was another superb call by Sludden. Far too many referees are cowed by high-profile forwards and allow the star names to foul repeatedly throughout the game.
It must be acknowledged that Sludden's obsession with illegal pick-ups did blot his copybook. He blew three technical infringements in the first half but his calls on Brendan Donaghy and Conor McManus were wrong.

The decision to red card Brian Mallon was also controversial. However, Sludden can't ship all the blame as he also acted on the advice of his linesman David Coldrick.
None of the incidents in Sunday's game would have warranted a yellow card when Pat Spillane was playing.
But the game has moved on since then. When Pat was in his pomp, forwards either didn't or couldn't tackle.

That is no longer the case. All forwards are now coached how to tackle legally. But all forwards are also coached how and when to tackle illegally. The blanket defence only works if the defending team gets time to put numbers behind the ball. This time is gained with an innocent-looking tactical foul.
Sadly, there is nothing innocent about the current brand of Gaelic football.
More distressingly again, we have become conditioned to routine and systematic fouling. But we really should harbour grander ambitions for our game.
On Sunday, we saw how two teams often ridiculed for their negativity will respond whenever tactical fouls and off-the-ball bullying draw yellow cards. Players stood off and there were fewer free-kicks.

Spillane represents the views of many as he pines for the old days when he (mistakenly) believes the ball moved seamlessly from one half of the field to the other.
However, Pat and his followers must realise that the old way of refereeing will never achieve that style of game. If the match in Casement contained one great lesson then it was this: when the yellow cards flowed, so did the football.
p.heaney@irishnews.com
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: longrunsthefox on June 10, 2010, 03:45:46 PM
Is a remarkable turnaround since only a few weeks ago he said referrees are like 'sewers, unpleasant but necessary' and then launched a total vitriolic attack on the mindset on anyone who becomes a ref. Sounds like he might have got his card marked. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: haranguerer on June 10, 2010, 03:48:43 PM
I think theres a very real chance this is a satirical piece as someone else suggested - its certainly a joke of an article of some kind...

Galloglys grab around the waist would have been a yellow under any standard of modern refereeing, being as it was, desperate and cynical. Heaney however, lumps every other forwards tackle into this cynical category. To make the point that the number of frees and yellow cards made the game much more open is silly - So would not allowing tackling at all, but it wouldnt help the game.

The fact is that when he started dishng out frees and yellow cards with gay abandon, everyone realised there was a real chance they could get sent off for absolutley nothing, which might have tempered the tackling a bit, but is hardly to the benefit of anyone.

And to say sundays game was a cracking contest is beyond a joke. Armagh, hindered by a straight red which should only have been yellow, were abysmal. Monaghan still look distinctly average.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hardy on June 11, 2010, 10:09:25 AM
QuoteIn the 19th minute, the reliable Martin Carney praised the teams for their "positive application which was making a very enjoyable match".

At this point I let out a strange, involuntary sound that sounded like a suck calf with the whooping cough and I half fell out of the chair. Luckily, the butler was on hand to interpret my speechless gasping and hand-waving at the screen and he quickly clicked on one of the world cup threads for me.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GrandMasterFlash on June 11, 2010, 10:51:55 AM
Quote from: haranguerer on June 10, 2010, 03:48:43 PM
Monaghan still look distinctly average.

And Armagh looked the real deal after beating a very average one dimensional Derry team?!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: nrico2006 on September 25, 2010, 07:45:22 PM
I see he was mentioning Henry Shefflin the James Stephens player in yesterdays paper.  You don't know what to expect from the Irish News these days, sure the front page of today's edition had Eoin Bradley 'Ulster's top forward' in it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: skeog on September 25, 2010, 08:01:57 PM
great to see the royal bradley family on the front page heard Hello magazine have the picture rights
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: andoireabu on September 26, 2010, 03:12:07 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on September 25, 2010, 07:45:22 PM
I see he was mentioning Henry Shefflin the James Stephens player in yesterdays paper.  You don't know what to expect from the Irish News these days, sure the front page of today's edition had Eoin Bradley 'Ulster's top forward' in it.
who is ulsters top forward?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RadioGAAGAA on September 26, 2010, 12:05:28 PM
Quote from: andoireabu on September 26, 2010, 03:12:07 AM
who is ulsters top forward?

There are several that would be well ahead of Ego Bradley in the pecking order.


Such as:

Sean Cavanagh
Brian McGuigan
Stephen O'Neill
Benny Coulter
Martin Clarke
Danny Hughes
Mark Poland


To name just a few from just 2 counties. I expect a counter argument based solely on individual points scored, rather than an argument based on their overall  contribution to the team.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: theLoup on September 26, 2010, 12:31:16 PM
sean cavanagh is a better midfielder

mcguigan, o'neill, coulter are past there best so wise up

poland and hughes are good but bradley is a different class

id say between e.bradley and m.clarke for ulsters top forward
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RadioGAAGAA on September 26, 2010, 05:46:39 PM
Quote from: theLoup on September 26, 2010, 12:31:16 PM
mcguigan, o'neill, coulter are past there best so wise up

But still twice the player as the ego.


Quote from: theLoup on September 26, 2010, 12:31:16 PM
poland and hughes are good but bradley is a different class

Different class? At what? Disappearing in big games?


Quote from: theLoup on September 26, 2010, 12:31:16 PM
id say between e.bradley and m.clarke for ulsters top forward

I'd say your not far from being sent to the asylum!  :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: nrico2006 on September 27, 2010, 09:03:26 AM
Quote from: andoireabu on September 26, 2010, 03:12:07 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on September 25, 2010, 07:45:22 PM
I see he was mentioning Henry Shefflin the James Stephens player in yesterdays paper.  You don't know what to expect from the Irish News these days, sure the front page of today's edition had Eoin Bradley 'Ulster's top forward' in it.
who is ulsters top forward?

Not Eoin Bradley anyway.  Michael Murphy would be streets ahead of him too.  What exactly has Eoin Bradley achieved in his County career to date?  What has he scored?  He isn't exactly a young buck just on the scene, he is closer to 30 than 20. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on September 27, 2010, 06:36:55 PM
Dear lord is that really what we're going to debate? He is one of the top forwards in Ulster no doubt. Definitely not the best and to claim he is well that's just wrong.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Will Hunting on September 27, 2010, 08:45:56 PM
Quote from: nrico2006 on September 25, 2010, 07:45:22 PM
I see he was mentioning Henry Shefflin the James Stephens player in yesterdays paper.  You don't know what to expect from the Irish News these days, sure the front page of today's edition had Eoin Bradley 'Ulster's top forward' in it.

Maybe he thinks he'll annoy the uber-precious Tyrone fans.
You've proven him correct.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: supersarsfields on September 27, 2010, 09:58:16 PM
It's not just Tyrone ones who disagree. Maybe it's the Derry ones being slightly precious.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: RadioGAAGAA on September 28, 2010, 08:11:39 AM
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 27, 2010, 08:45:56 PM
Maybe he thinks he'll annoy the uber-precious Tyrone fans.

I hope to god your not insinuating I am in any way affiliated, from or supportive of Tyrone!  :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Banana Man on November 16, 2010, 01:21:28 PM
did anyone see heaney's against the breeze column in the IN today? I laughed my balls off. Very funny.

I'm sure you read this PH so well done, was laughing out for good 5 minutes  :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: DirtyDozen12 on November 16, 2010, 03:29:43 PM
Quote from: Banana Man on November 16, 2010, 01:21:28 PM
did anyone see heaney's against the breeze column in the IN today? I laughed my balls off. Very funny.

I'm sure you read this PH so well done, was laughing out for good 5 minutes  :D

Can someone post the article?

Paddy, where you at, get it up (the article that is)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: nrico2006 on March 17, 2011, 02:44:06 PM
I see Heaney has Crossmaglen as winning their 4th All Ireland in 2004, how do simple factual errors not be picked up?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: hsthompson on May 11, 2011, 09:21:03 AM
Would anyone be able to post Paddy's column from yesterday about changing the National Anthem? Missed the paper but I'd like to read the article. Thanks
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on May 14, 2012, 04:16:00 PM
Fair play to Paddy Heaney scooping the North's "Sports Journalist of the Year" Award!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: rrhf on May 14, 2012, 04:27:02 PM
Fair play to Paddy Heaney,  I always thought he was  another altar ego of O Neill...  Is that Malachy Clerkin not a northern man - fierce writer too. Another cracking article last Saturday about Saipan.   
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hardy on May 14, 2012, 04:41:34 PM
Quote from: screenexile on May 14, 2012, 04:16:00 PM
Fair play to Paddy Heaney scooping the North's "Sports Journalist of the Year" Award!!

In fairness, though it's a bit like being chosen as the DUP member people would most like to go on the tear with. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Minder on May 14, 2012, 04:44:52 PM
The same awards ceremony awarded the Belfast Telegraph newspaper of the year.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 11:18:39 AM
Bit of a nonsense article by Paddy today. He seems to think Twitter is about following GAA players and reading their daily banal thoughts on breakfast. He claims that's why he's not on Twitter.

It's a brilliant tool for instant information on what's going on in the world. I don't follow any GAA inter-county players nor celebs (don't think so). But it'll be my first port of call if I need a result or latest score and it's a strange stance for a hack not to use that resource.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: seafoid on July 10, 2012, 11:37:25 AM
Quote from: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 11:18:39 AM
Bit of a nonsense article by Paddy today. He seems to think Twitter is about following GAA players and reading their daily banal thoughts on breakfast. He claims that's why he's not on Twitter.

It's a brilliant tool for instant information on what's going on in the world. I don't follow any GAA inter-county players nor celebs (don't think so). But it'll be my first port of call if I need a result or latest score and it's a strange stance for a hack not to use that resource.
another brilliant article by Paddy which i have been able to access via a medium since it is not online.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: theticklemister on July 10, 2012, 01:28:11 PM
I like Paddy's articles on Tuesdays.today's was another good un.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: sheamy on July 10, 2012, 01:36:44 PM
Quote from: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 11:18:39 AM
Bit of a nonsense article by Paddy today. He seems to think Twitter is about following GAA players and reading their daily banal thoughts on breakfast. He claims that's why he's not on Twitter.

It's a brilliant tool for instant information on what's going on in the world. I don't follow any GAA inter-county players nor celebs (don't think so). But it'll be my first port of call if I need a result or latest score and it's a strange stance for a hack not to use that resource.

Agree 100%. Methinks he's too used to hiding behind an editor so he's not called to book for some of the misinformed shite he writes. The bottom line is that you choose who you follow on twitter. If there's banality coming down the road, you can always steer clear with the big 'unfollow' button.   
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 01:53:18 PM
The article made no sense. If you want to write shite on twitter, it's your prerogative. If you want to follow shite, it's your prerogative. No one is forced to write it and no one is forced to read it. I'll never feel the need to see what Clerkin and Kernan are writing but if others do, so what? It doesn't affect their playing capabilities or our perception of them as footballers or hurlers. If anything it helps to quash any possibility of hero-worshipping as the youngsters can see they're no different to them. The argument he uses (or Roche) is that they should get out and meet their fans instead of tweeting. What the hell does that mean or matter? Heaney claims he's not on twitter (we don't believe you) because of the mind-numbing posts. That's a serious ignorance of what it can be used for. His researcher needs a-sacking.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ck on July 10, 2012, 01:55:50 PM
I love the way people who aren't on Twitter give out about it with such passion..maybe they want to be on it and they have nothing interesting to say and that's why they hate it?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: sheamy on July 10, 2012, 02:04:37 PM
I wonder does he not watch tv either? sorry awful crap on that too...
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 02:31:35 PM
I think some journos are hacked off that the players often ignore the traditional route of going through the papers to give updates on injury news or future plans etc. and instead tweet it themselves.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ck on July 10, 2012, 03:06:30 PM
Quote from: ONeill on July 10, 2012, 02:31:35 PM
I think some journos are hacked off that the players often ignore the traditional route of going through the papers to give updates on injury news or future plans etc. and instead tweet it themselves.

Absolutely right. A lad from my home club was called to that Australian rules trial thing a few months back and he tweeted it. He soon got a phone call from NWR in Sligo saying "What the hell are you tweeting that for, that was my f*cking exclusive?"
Paddy's "exclusives" must be drying up so he attacks Twitter. It's a bit like trying to sweep water up hill, he's fighting a loosing battle when he takes on these sort of things.

ps: For a man who claims not to be on it he sure does know plenty about it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: rrhf on July 11, 2012, 12:14:07 AM
Rubbish there's no value to be had in this. It's semi comparable to reality tv online but more moderner.  It's incom
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 11, 2012, 12:51:13 AM
50p in the meter there rrhf.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: LeoMc on July 11, 2012, 10:37:31 AM
Quote from: rrhf on July 11, 2012, 12:14:07 AM
Rubbish there's no value to be had in this. It's semi comparable to reality tv online but more moderner.  It's incom

Struggling to get your thoughts into 140 characters or less there RRHF?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hardy on July 11, 2012, 10:38:23 AM
A competition is in order.

prehensible?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 11, 2012, 10:40:00 AM
e tax.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hardy on July 11, 2012, 10:46:03 AM
plete
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on July 11, 2012, 10:49:53 AM
MUNICABLE
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:29:50 AM
BUSTIBLE
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Dinny Breen on July 11, 2012, 11:30:13 AM
posite
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:31:25 AM
ING
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:32:25 AM
PETENT
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:33:04 AM
PATIBLE
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:36:20 AM
MUNICADO
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Fear ón Srath Bán on July 11, 2012, 11:42:51 AM
Quote from: hardstation on July 11, 2012, 11:39:18 AM
SEQUENTIAL was my favourite by FóSB. He wins the competition.

:) Forgot it was an 'M' momentarily!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: theticklemister on July 11, 2012, 11:49:36 AM
Bogue is having a go at Poor Paddy (not directly!!!! ;D ;D) in his peice in todays Belfast Telegraph!!

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: DuffleKing on September 05, 2012, 11:06:18 AM

What was mark McHugh's off the cuff remark that he had to apologise for?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hashtag on September 05, 2012, 11:10:56 AM
whats Paddy Heaney's email address?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: glens abu on September 05, 2012, 11:27:51 AM
Quote from: DuffleKing on September 05, 2012, 11:06:18 AM

What was mark McHugh's off the cuff remark that he had to apologise for?

Asked about his Da tipping everyone who Donegal play would he now tip Donegal in final,he said he didn't think his Da would tip Donegal even if they were playing Antrim
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ck on September 05, 2012, 12:46:37 PM
I have to say, I heard McHugh Jnr on Sport at 7 there last week and he is one arrogant little sod. A chip off the old block
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: J70 on September 05, 2012, 04:44:41 PM
A little naive on McHugh's part, naming a county like that. You can't be honest like that in a press interview.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: glens abu on September 05, 2012, 05:09:56 PM
Quote from: J70 on September 05, 2012, 04:44:41 PM
A little naive on McHugh's part, naming a county like that. You can't be honest like that in a press interview.

Think it shows his arrogance rather than his naivety
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bloodybreakball on September 05, 2012, 05:59:30 PM
aye to be honest, it looks bad on him. i think it shows arrogance too, reminded me of kevin cassidy talking in a interview a few years ago about how donegal hadnt underestimated antrim before th e09 game but then went onto reveal that the gameplan was to go out play man to man and they would be better than their opposite number. therefore completely contradicting himself, antrim pulled men back and made it difficult for them.

anyway thats not the reason why im on here, could anybody put a copy of heaneys article frim yesterday please!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: J70 on September 05, 2012, 06:09:15 PM
Quote from: glens abu on September 05, 2012, 05:09:56 PM
Quote from: J70 on September 05, 2012, 04:44:41 PM
A little naive on McHugh's part, naming a county like that. You can't be honest like that in a press interview.

Think it shows his arrogance rather than his naivety

Are you telling us that players from the likes of Tyrone wouldn't think the same thing with respect to Antrim (or Cavan or Fermanagh etc.)?

Arrogance, realism, honesty.... whatever.... Lots of players would think the same. McHugh's mistake is saying so publicly.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bloodybreakball on September 05, 2012, 06:14:37 PM
its a lack of respect especially when antrim beat donegal so recently and have performed fairly competenly in the recent past.
if i was to walk around and say your ma is an ugly brute it would be a complete lack of respect, regardless of whether it was true or not!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: J70 on September 05, 2012, 07:16:27 PM
Disrespect, arrogance, whatever you call it, his mistake still was his giving voice to it, not his having that opinion.

And 2009 is irrelevant. Everyone here would back Donegal to beat Antrim every time as things stand right now.  It may be harsh, but its true. In a few years, the shoe may be on the other foot.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: saffron sam2 on September 05, 2012, 11:09:47 PM
Says much more about his father. Utterly incapable of performing the role that he is receiving TV license payers' money for. If he is not capable of a semblance of impartiality, then he shouldn't be anywhere near our screens.

On the other hand, unlike his vastly overrated son, he is old enough to remember 2009.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Slu23kGEw48 (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Slu23kGEw48)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: J70 on September 05, 2012, 11:54:02 PM
I could've sworn the whole issue was about McHugh Sr tipping AGAINST Donegal!

Or are you complaining that he's biased against his own county?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: moysider on September 06, 2012, 12:44:19 AM
Quote from: glens abu on September 05, 2012, 11:27:51 AM
Quote from: DuffleKing on September 05, 2012, 11:06:18 AM

What was mark McHugh's off the cuff remark that he had to apologise for?

Asked about his Da tipping everyone who Donegal play would he now tip Donegal in final,he said he didn't think his Da would tip Donegal even if they were playing Antrim Mayo

That s more like it.

It ll be interesting to see how he spins this one next few weeks. I ve always had time for Martin McHugh - any body that saw him play, and the size of him has to. But he s always regarded Mayo - sometimes even trying his best to be positive - as something yuccky stuck to the sole of his shoe. But hey, that is no different than the other pundits or the garden journalists about. I ll type more later but Mayo have a bit of a chance in this match.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on April 07, 2015, 03:01:39 PM
Interesting piece today from Paddy.

14 Dublin men in their own defence. I suppose the strong winds in clones blew them all up to one end.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Muzz on April 07, 2015, 03:48:08 PM
Was a good read alright - Jim Gavin's response to the questions versus the evidence is quite amusing mind you.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lynchbhoy on April 07, 2015, 03:55:04 PM
I don't know why people deny 'men behind the ball' tactics. It's a staple for all top teams.

Despite Dublin having superb forwards - even they still need to temper their structure with strong def formation spring boarding fast attacks.


Interestingly top two threads here now are 'about ' two Derry men - brolly and Heaney.

Pity we hadn't as much positive news to relate to about our senior county side ( yet..... Hopefully !!)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on April 07, 2015, 06:41:00 PM
It suits the southern media to say that it's them northern hoors that are ruining the game. The aristocrats cannot play their beautiful silky, slick game because of them.

Sure Kerry copied Donegal's style last year, but yet they don't play like the rest of the peasants (to quote Paddy).
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Zulu on April 07, 2015, 08:28:24 PM
This the same Paddy Heaney who wrote the article below looking for rule changes?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paddy-heaney/paddy-heaney-gaelic-football-isnt-dead-but-badly-needs-change-of-direction-321800.html

What was the gist of his other article? Are the poor Ulster boys getting picked on by the big bad southern media? The issue has gone far beyond who uses mass defending and onto where it's bringing the game.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Main Street on April 07, 2015, 09:14:19 PM
Quote from: Zulu on April 07, 2015, 08:28:24 PM
This the same Paddy Heaney who wrote the article below looking for rule changes?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paddy-heaney/paddy-heaney-gaelic-football-isnt-dead-but-badly-needs-change-of-direction-321800.html

What was the gist of his other article? Are the poor Ulster boys getting picked on by the big bad southern media? The issue has gone far beyond who uses mass defending and onto where it's bringing the game.
Seeing as Paddy sagely wrote last week, "It needs to be stressed that pointing the finger of blame at certain teams will achieve nothing. Appealing to managers to think of the greater good of the game is an even bigger waste of time."

unlike your tone, his recent poke at the Dubs has a humorous edge to it :)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: AZOffaly on April 08, 2015, 11:16:19 AM
Quote from: Zulu on April 07, 2015, 08:28:24 PM
This the same Paddy Heaney who wrote the article below looking for rule changes?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paddy-heaney/paddy-heaney-gaelic-football-isnt-dead-but-badly-needs-change-of-direction-321800.html

What was the gist of his other article? Are the poor Ulster boys getting picked on by the big bad southern media? The issue has gone far beyond who uses mass defending and onto where it's bringing the game.

I agree. The better exponents of it (i.e. the better teams) tend to be from Ulster, but I was at a game in Tullamore a few years ago for Offaly against Westmeath in the Championship, and it was an absolutely puke exhibition. Offaly set up with 11 or 12 in their own half, and Westmeath did the same. What ensued was 70 minutes that felt like 170 minutes, and the only difference between the teams was that Westmeath's one class forward, Dessie Dolan, got more joy than Offaly's Niall McNamee. Talk about a war of attrition.

And this is why I think this debate is not an attack on ulster, or anything like it. It's a debate around the increasing number of teams who use this, the increasing number who will get more proficient and better at it, and what that means for the game as a spectacle. If we focus on that aspect we can decide whether we need to do anything or let it sort itself out. People using emotive language, or picking on individual teams or managers, actually do the debate a disservice, as it encourages a siege mentality from those who are being labelled, and inhibits any sort of rational debate about it.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: imtommygunn on December 01, 2015, 11:26:21 AM
I see he has quit the irish news. Anyone know what he's doing next? Still a journalist?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: skeog on December 01, 2015, 11:31:11 AM
running his own gym
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: screenexile on December 01, 2015, 12:02:07 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on December 01, 2015, 11:26:21 AM
I see he has quit the irish news. Anyone know what he's doing next? Still a journalist?

Yeah if you read the article he explains he's a fitness guru now and hasn't the appetite for the aul journalism.

He wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed my 10 oclock tea every Tuesday to read Against the Breeze some of his columns were exceptional with my particular favourite being the craic at Glen Club over Christmas which was written probably around 10 years ago.

By all accounts the new gym is going well so best of luck to him!!

Thanks Paddy!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: JoG2 on December 01, 2015, 12:04:18 PM
Quote from: screenexile on December 01, 2015, 12:02:07 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on December 01, 2015, 11:26:21 AM
I see he has quit the irish news. Anyone know what he's doing next? Still a journalist?

Yeah if you read the article he explains he's a fitness guru now and hasn't the appetite for the aul journalism.

He wasn't everyone's cup of tea but I thoroughly enjoyed my 10 oclock tea every Tuesday to read Against the Breeze some of his columns were exceptional with my particular favourite being the craic at Glen Club over Christmas which was written probably around 10 years ago.

By all accounts the new gym is going well so best of luck to him!!

Thanks Paddy!

i enjoyed his columns too (most of them). Still doing a bit freelance on the side I hear
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ExiledGael on December 01, 2015, 05:33:01 PM
I will miss it. Always worth a read and one of the few things to make you go out and actually buy a paper these days. Papers have less and less to separate themselves from their competitors - when it comes to sport anyway.
Is there an archive of his columns available anywhere?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lenny on December 01, 2015, 06:27:20 PM
Quote from: ExiledGael on December 01, 2015, 05:33:01 PM
I will miss it. Always worth a read and one of the few things to make you go out and actually buy a paper these days. Papers have less and less to separate themselves from their competitors - when it comes to sport anyway.
Is there an archive of his columns available anywhere?

Totally agree. Looked forward to reading against the breeze on tuesdays. Some of those columns were absolute classics and would have you in stitches. Good luck to him but I have a feeling he will probably pick up the column again in a few years.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bannside on December 01, 2015, 07:32:20 PM
Must confess that "Against the Breeze" was my my favourite read of the week. He really did just get it...the country ways and all that. But he knew the way football men thought and spoke and was a good judge himself. Rarely found much to disagree with and particularly liked his week in Kerry leading up to a final and seeing it from their perspective. Hopefully he won't lose the skill of his trade. It's in the blood as they say!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: WT4E on December 02, 2015, 09:13:47 AM
Heaney was brilliant - compare this to boring drivel Mickey Harte contributes!

I think my favourite came a good few years ago it was the piece about the young boy in a classroom explaining to a teacher he wanted to be a GAA manager when he was older!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on December 02, 2015, 11:16:58 AM
Mickey Harte's column was pure dung.

Paddys I really enjoyed though. A lot of the time it was more about country life than sport, but still very enjoyable. Didn't know Seamus Heaney was his uncle.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lenny on December 02, 2015, 11:56:08 AM
Quote from: bannside on December 01, 2015, 07:32:20 PM
Must confess that "Against the Breeze" was my my favourite read of the week. He really did just get it...the country ways and all that. But he knew the way football men thought and spoke and was a good judge himself. Rarely found much to disagree with and particularly liked his week in Kerry leading up to a final and seeing it from their perspective. Hopefully he won't lose the skill of his trade. It's in the blood as they say!

To be honest his column was the only reason I would buy the Irish news on a Tuesday. Tuesday used to be good for gaa fixtures but these are all available online or on twitter now. He 's has some brilliant columns over the years and some weak enough ones but even the weaker ones had a few laughs and good points contained in them.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: WT4E on December 02, 2015, 01:41:37 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on December 02, 2015, 11:16:58 AM
Mickey Harte's column was pure dung.

Paddys I really enjoyed though. A lot of the time it was more about country life than sport, but still very enjoyable. Didn't know Seamus Heaney was his uncle.

does Harte not have a column anymore? I stopped buying a while ago!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: yellowcard on December 02, 2015, 01:48:43 PM
Heaney was a very good journalist whose opinions were always worth listening to. It will definitely weaken the Irish News sports pages not to have his opinions in there as he was the top man imo. Didn't try to curry favour with players and managers in the manner of some journalists who like licking arse and always called a spade a spade. It's an unusual career path at his stage, I hope we haven't seen the last of his columns.   
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Dubh driocht on December 02, 2015, 07:43:19 PM
Quote from: ExiledGael on December 01, 2015, 05:33:01 PM
I will miss it. Always worth a read and one of the few things to make you go out and actually buy a paper these days. Papers have less and less to separate themselves from their competitors - when it comes to sport anyway.
Is there an archive of his columns available anywhere?
I hope that Paddy will continue writing as he says things that need to be said and even when you don't agree with him,you understand where he is coming from. He has a passion for the game and understands all that goes with it.
The Irish News produced some booklets of his more memorable columns a few years ago and gave them away with the paper.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on December 02, 2015, 07:52:46 PM
Quote from: WT4E on December 02, 2015, 01:41:37 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on December 02, 2015, 11:16:58 AM
Mickey Harte's column was pure dung.

Paddys I really enjoyed though. A lot of the time it was more about country life than sport, but still very enjoyable. Didn't know Seamus Heaney was his uncle.

does Harte not have a column anymore? I stopped buying a while ago!

No, thank feck. Danny Hughes and Philip Jordan contribute now.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on December 02, 2015, 10:33:14 PM
Always a great read. Horrible at predictions but usually looked at something with a unique eye.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: give her dixie on December 03, 2015, 09:24:50 PM
Quote from: WT4E on December 02, 2015, 09:13:47 AM

I think my favourite came a good few years ago it was the piece about the young boy in a classroom explaining to a teacher he wanted to be a GAA manager when he was older!

That article still stands out for me. Brilliant piece.

Loved his articles, and it was a joy to read him every Tuesday.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: tonto1888 on December 03, 2015, 09:31:54 PM
Is he quitting? That's a shame if so. I enjoyed reading his articlrs
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bennydorano on December 03, 2015, 09:57:08 PM
My favourite Journo by a long stretch, very sad to see him depart. Hope his Gym venture is a success but i'd still like to see him return to the writing.

I have the Against the Breeze booklets tucked away myself, they must be 7/8 yrs old now?? Might get me a £5er on ebay hi
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: crossfire on December 12, 2015, 10:56:56 PM
Against the breeze will be a big miss. He is a brilliant journalist and very witty.
My favourite article of Paddys was about the Kerry County Board rescinding Dara O'Sheas red card, received in a club game, so that he could play for Kerry in the All Ireland Championship.
I would love the chance to read it again.

Good luck Paddy in your new venture.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on December 12, 2015, 11:34:29 PM
Paddy who?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Gaffer on December 13, 2015, 11:24:35 AM
Quote from: ONeill on December 12, 2015, 11:34:29 PM
Paddy who?

  Paddy Bradley it must be. Can't think of any other Paddys
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Saffrongael on January 27, 2020, 09:27:07 AM
Back this week with a regular column
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: APM on January 27, 2020, 09:35:02 AM
Here's hoping that this will be a must read column like Against the Breeze. 

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bannside on January 27, 2020, 10:43:54 AM
Fantastic News. Look forward to Wednesday....Paddys column was a must read for years. Always had his finger on the pulse
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on January 27, 2020, 11:00:54 AM
They must have fired a load of notes at him to bring him back.

Are sales down? I'd say they're not shifting as much since it's gone up to £1.10.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: quit yo jibbajabba on January 27, 2020, 11:05:02 AM
For anyone that enjoyed his reading he has a Train Ststion pg on fb which is decent reading at times. Fitness focussed as he runs a gym now but still entertaining at times
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: marty34 on January 27, 2020, 06:57:42 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on January 27, 2020, 11:00:54 AM
They must have fired a load of notes at him to bring him back.

Are sales down? I'd say they're not shifting as much since it's gone up to £1.10.

Full of ads nowadays and half spreads at that.
Plus half the time it's not even stapled together...cost cutting I'd say.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Orior on January 27, 2020, 09:56:00 PM
What was Paddy off doing?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: quit yo jibbajabba on January 27, 2020, 10:06:29 PM
I refer the honourable gentleman to my post above
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: APM on January 29, 2020, 02:05:45 PM
Slow start for Paddy - writing about his gym and how his interest in watching spectator sports is waning, taken over it seems by his interest in cycling and fitness. 

He can't just write about Derry, Glen and his complete antipathy to hurling. It can't be a weekly advert for his gym. So what on earth is this column going to be about?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on January 29, 2020, 02:17:36 PM
Quote from: APM on January 29, 2020, 02:05:45 PM
Slow start for Paddy - writing about his gym and how his interest in watching spectator sports is waning, taken over it seems by his interest in cycling and fitness. 

He can't just write about Derry, Glen and his complete antipathy to hurling. It can't be a weekly advert for his gym. So what on earth is this column going to be about?

Wasn't long ago I read the article there, half assed start to things for Paddy now.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Redhand Santa on January 29, 2020, 08:30:15 PM
Going to be a complete waste of time having him in sports section of paper. Maybe a spot in health and well being or something would have worked. No idea what point of today's article was, why would you want to read someone talk about sport that has no interest in it?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on January 29, 2020, 08:40:14 PM
I'm intrigued now. A sports column from someone who doesn't watch much sport. An unusual angle, but modern football and wall to wall coverage makes a lot of us feel like Paddy does. I know it does me. I had sky in a few seasons ago and I found myself heading out for a run rather than sit and watch my team play.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ONeill on January 29, 2020, 08:47:59 PM
Definitely a weird start.

He'd all week to think about it like.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: seafoid on January 30, 2020, 03:48:49 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on January 29, 2020, 08:30:15 PM
Going to be a complete waste of time having him in sports section of paper. Maybe a spot in health and well being or something would have worked. No idea what point of today's article was, why would you want to read someone talk about sport that has no interest in it?

In fairness what sort of GAA article would you expect in January? Eugene McGee used to write a GAA piece every week for the Longford Leader . He said in an interview that he used to write an awful lot of shite especially in winter.
You should reserve judgement at least until there is a stretch in the evenings.

Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Redhand Santa on January 30, 2020, 08:17:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on January 30, 2020, 03:48:49 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on January 29, 2020, 08:30:15 PM
Going to be a complete waste of time having him in sports section of paper. Maybe a spot in health and well being or something would have worked. No idea what point of today's article was, why would you want to read someone talk about sport that has no interest in it?

In fairness what sort of GAA article would you expect in January? Eugene McGee used to write a GAA piece every week for the Longford Leader . He said in an interview that he used to write an awful lot of shite especially in winter.
You should reserve judgement at least until there is a stretch in the evenings.

Did you read the article? I'm guessing it isn't going to be a gaa only column given todays was mainly taken up by him talking about running his own gym and cycling. The rest of it was about how he has little interest in watching sport and almost bragging that he forgot to even check the Derry score at the weekend as he has so little interest in it these days. So not sure what kind of sports article is he going to produce on the back of that.

As I said if it's all going to be about his time in the gym and out cycling in the sperrins the health and well being section would be a better fit for his articles.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: seafoid on January 30, 2020, 09:22:38 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on January 30, 2020, 08:17:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on January 30, 2020, 03:48:49 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on January 29, 2020, 08:30:15 PM
Going to be a complete waste of time having him in sports section of paper. Maybe a spot in health and well being or something would have worked. No idea what point of today's article was, why would you want to read someone talk about sport that has no interest in it?

In fairness what sort of GAA article would you expect in January? Eugene McGee used to write a GAA piece every week for the Longford Leader . He said in an interview that he used to write an awful lot of shite especially in winter.
You should reserve judgement at least until there is a stretch in the evenings.

Did you read the article? I'm guessing it isn't going to be a gaa only column given todays was mainly taken up by him talking about running his own gym and cycling. The rest of it was about how he has little interest in watching sport and almost bragging that he forgot to even check the Derry score at the weekend as he has so little interest in it these days. So not sure what kind of sports article is he going to produce on the back of that.

As I said if it's all going to be about his time in the gym and out cycling in the sperrins the health and well being section would be a better fit for his articles.

I don't have a subscription but I am a hoor for decent GAA articles and they are very hard to find this time of the year. He must have some ideas if he wanted to return.
 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: imtommygunn on January 30, 2020, 10:14:21 AM
Just remove the irishnews cookies in your browser and you should generally be able to read it. I think the cookie tracks how many times you've been there and if it's over three you need to login/subscribe but if you delete it's reset to zero...
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on January 30, 2020, 10:17:16 AM
Quote from: imtommygunn on January 30, 2020, 10:14:21 AM
Just remove the irishnews cookies in your browser and you should generally be able to read it. I think the cookie tracks how many times you've been there and if it's over three you need to login/subscribe but if you delete it's reset to zero...

Or you can go incognite mode, that will get you 2/3 articles.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bigpackiechestout on January 30, 2020, 10:44:15 AM
He described it on his gym page as a 'health and fitness column', whereas the Irish News announced on Tuesday that it would be 'a page laced with his own inimitable take on sporting happenings, a splash of personal fitness and a dash now and again of his views on wider current affairs.'

So I'd tend to expect something more in line with Paddy's own description, and not necessarily in depth analysis of the games that took place the previous weekend. I think it will be a good read, it will be something different and will be better than the crap that Danny Hughes and Kenny Archer serve up. I also enjoyed yesterday's article, it was a nice introduction to where Paddy is at with his life at the minute and sets the column up well going forward
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Dire Ear on January 30, 2020, 12:48:47 PM
Quote from: bigpackiechestout on January 30, 2020, 10:44:15 AM
He described it on his gym page as a 'health and fitness column', whereas the Irish News announced on Tuesday that it would be 'a page laced with his own inimitable take on sporting happenings, a splash of personal fitness and a dash now and again of his views on wider current affairs.'

So I'd tend to expect something more in line with Paddy's own description, and not necessarily in depth analysis of the games that took place the previous weekend. I think it will be a good read, it will be something different and will be better than the crap that Danny Hughes and Kenny Archer serve up. I also enjoyed yesterday's article, it was a nice introduction to where Paddy is at with his life at the minute and sets the column up well going forward
Paddy,  is that you!  ;)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: johnnycool on January 30, 2020, 02:39:02 PM
Quote from: bigpackiechestout on January 30, 2020, 10:44:15 AM
He described it on his gym page as a 'health and fitness column', whereas the Irish News announced on Tuesday that it would be 'a page laced with his own inimitable take on sporting happenings, a splash of personal fitness and a dash now and again of his views on wider current affairs.'

So I'd tend to expect something more in line with Paddy's own description, and not necessarily in depth analysis of the games that took place the previous weekend. I think it will be a good read, it will be something different and will be better than the crap that Danny Hughes and Kenny Archer serve up. I also enjoyed yesterday's article, it was a nice introduction to where Paddy is at with his life at the minute and sets the column up well going forward

Got as far as this and stopped;

"All the men I worked with on the sports desk were proper sports fanatics... one even loved hurling."

If he's still involved with Bellaghy he should take a run down to their facilities and see some fantastic camogs in action.

Always thought he was a barbellend
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on February 05, 2020, 01:29:35 PM
So the column is out today.....

It's alright, not exactly special tbh.




In 1978, the San Francisco 49ers finished the season with a record of 2 and 14. They were considered the worst team in the American Football League.

Then Bill Walsh was hired as the new manager.

Starting in 1979, Walsh got to work implementing what he called his 'Standard of Performance'.

Walsh was obsessive about details. He focused exclusively on how things were done, not the result. (See Walsh's biography: The Score Takes Care of Itself).

Ryan Holiday detailed the new culture which Walsh installed at the 49ers in his excellent book, Ego is the Enemy.

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"Quarterbacks were told where and how to hold the ball. Linemen were drilled on 30 separate critical drills. Passing routes were monitored and graded down to the inch. Practices were scheduled to the minute."

And what effect did these radical changes have at the 49ers? Ostensibly, none! In Walsh's first season, the 49ers also went 2 and 14.

But those within the set-up could see that the results were not telling the full story. Standards were improving. Performances were improving. The team was more competitive.

Oh, and did I mention Walsh drafted quarter-back Joe Montana?

The following season, everything clicked. Montana took over as quarter-back and the 49ers won the Super Bowl.

I don't think Derry's new manager, Rory Gallagher is going to win the All-Ireland title in two years' time. But I can see parallels with Bill Walsh.

I was delighted when Gallagher got the Derry job. In my 15 years with The Irish News, I spoke to most of the top football brains in the country and Gallagher is up there with the best of them.

I also gather from reports coming out of Owenbeg that the players are buying into Gallagher's philosophy.

Standards are improving. The results just aren't showing it yet.

Eventually they will.

We just need a Joe Montana.


Practice makes perfect: Fitness trainers Ellie Gormley, Paddy Heaney and Oran McGuckin show how it's done
Slow and steady wins the race if you mean business
A BUTCHER in our town was once advised by his father to "keep the apron on".

The man kept the apron on and grew an extremely successful chain of butcher shops.

I was very lucky when the Train Station Fitness Academy opened that a lot of my first Group PT customers were self-employed business people.

It was a Godsend.

I knew nothing about running a business. They knew nothing about getting fit and strong.

It's what you'd call a mutually beneficial relationship.

When picking their brains for guidance, two trends emerged.

The first thing I noticed is that business people are very good at distilling their advice into a few simple words.

It might be the creeds they live by, but they won't use five words if they can use four. That's just inefficient. And a good business person abhors inefficiency.

Take 'Mark' (not his real name). 'Mark' joined Group PT soon after the gym opened. 'Mark' told me to strive for 'slow, sustainable growth.' Three words. Slow. Sustainable. Growth.

The next individual you'll hear from is mega-successful and mega private. Again, I've changed his name. 'Joe' started out as a very cagey customer. Before he signed up, he actually interviewed me. Joe maintains to this day that it was a 'chat,' but he spent an hour-and-a-half sussing me out in the Garden Centre café!

When 'Joe' started, he came twice a week. Then he got into it, and came three times a week. First he was a client, then he became a mentor, and now, he is very much a friend.

Joe gave me the best marketing advice I've heard. He got it down to two words. 'Joe' said marketing should be a "steady dripfeed".

Another PT client, a company owner, who runs two factories with an annual turnover of more than £100m tells his sales force to be "consistently consistent".

Hopefully, you'll have noticed the second trend.

Keep the apron on.

Slow, sustainable growth.

Steady dripfeed

Consistently consistent.

Now, here's the thing, and this is what I tell my businessmen clients.

Developing a strong, efficient, durable business is exactly the same as developing a strong, efficient, durable body.

The same principles apply. Consistency is everything.

When I talk to businessmen and women in these terms they get it.

When a business starts, there can be periods of rapid growth which are followed by periods of apparent stagnation.

This can be followed by slight bursts of growth which are followed by more plateaus.

What did they do when things appeared to have stalled? Did they quit? Did they stop turning up for work? No. They kept the apron on.

But therein lies the problem with most people when they try to get fit or strong.

Once they hit a pothole or stop seeing progress, they give up. No good.

It's all about slow, sustainable growth.

In the same way as you can't go from being a sole-trader to Fortune 500 inside a month, you can't go from couch potato to abs of steel in six weeks.

It all takes time.

You have to be consistently consistent. Through thick and thin. There must be a steady dripfeed of training.

To get slightly scientific, training is all about stress. There is an optimum level of stress that you want to put the body under.

Too much stress and you get injured, ill or burn out. Too little stress and the body isn't receiving a signal to force an adaptation, so you're wasting your time.

It's like cooking the turkey at Christmas. Turning the heat too high only means you'll overdo it and the bird will be destroyed. Too little heat and the turkey will still be in the oven on St Stephen's Day.

Cooked at the the optimum temperature (intensity), for the correct duration (frequency and volume), and you'll get results.

And whether it's business, fitness or cooking, it's all about results.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: JohnDenver on February 05, 2020, 02:16:31 PM
Quote from: johnnycool on January 30, 2020, 02:39:02 PM
Quote from: bigpackiechestout on January 30, 2020, 10:44:15 AM
He described it on his gym page as a 'health and fitness column', whereas the Irish News announced on Tuesday that it would be 'a page laced with his own inimitable take on sporting happenings, a splash of personal fitness and a dash now and again of his views on wider current affairs.'

So I'd tend to expect something more in line with Paddy's own description, and not necessarily in depth analysis of the games that took place the previous weekend. I think it will be a good read, it will be something different and will be better than the crap that Danny Hughes and Kenny Archer serve up. I also enjoyed yesterday's article, it was a nice introduction to where Paddy is at with his life at the minute and sets the column up well going forward

Got as far as this and stopped;

"All the men I worked with on the sports desk were proper sports fanatics... one even loved hurling."

If he's still involved with Bellaghy he should take a run down to their facilities and see some fantastic camogs in action.

Always thought he was a barbellend

He's a Watty Grahams Glen Maghera man. Nothing to do with Bellaghy.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: johnnycool on February 05, 2020, 02:53:24 PM
Quote from: JohnDenver on February 05, 2020, 02:16:31 PM
Quote from: johnnycool on January 30, 2020, 02:39:02 PM
Quote from: bigpackiechestout on January 30, 2020, 10:44:15 AM
He described it on his gym page as a 'health and fitness column', whereas the Irish News announced on Tuesday that it would be 'a page laced with his own inimitable take on sporting happenings, a splash of personal fitness and a dash now and again of his views on wider current affairs.'

So I'd tend to expect something more in line with Paddy's own description, and not necessarily in depth analysis of the games that took place the previous weekend. I think it will be a good read, it will be something different and will be better than the crap that Danny Hughes and Kenny Archer serve up. I also enjoyed yesterday's article, it was a nice introduction to where Paddy is at with his life at the minute and sets the column up well going forward

Got as far as this and stopped;

"All the men I worked with on the sports desk were proper sports fanatics... one even loved hurling."

If he's still involved with Bellaghy he should take a run down to their facilities and see some fantastic camogs in action.

Always thought he was a barbellend

He's a Watty Grahams Glen Maghera man. Nothing to do with Bellaghy.

They play camogie there too..

He's still a bellend.

Wonder how many times he promotes his gym in the coming weeks!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on February 05, 2020, 02:54:54 PM
He's in good nick to be fair
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Main Street on February 05, 2020, 06:55:48 PM
I hope Paddy's optimism about Derry's slow steady improvement happens before they slide down the irreversible path to Div 4.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: quit yo jibbajabba on February 05, 2020, 08:28:14 PM
Derry was in Div4 last year mate. And got out  8)
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: bannside on February 05, 2020, 10:04:44 PM
Paddys back in the groove. Keep er lit big yin. Was wondering where ED got so trim, now I know...lol lol.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ck on February 05, 2020, 10:40:37 PM
I rarely read the Irish News but happened to read a copy today. Heaney is a good writer but his article today is a glorified advert for his gym business in Maghera. His sucking up to Rory Gallagher was pathetic and OTT and again clear that its another business move as his gym will be used by Derry players.

Call me cynical but Heaney would appear to be back writing to enhance his own business!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on February 06, 2020, 09:25:24 AM
Quote from: ck on February 05, 2020, 10:40:37 PM
I rarely read the Irish News but happened to read a copy today. Heaney is a good writer but his article today is a glorified advert for his gym business in Maghera. His sucking up to Rory Gallagher was pathetic and OTT and again clear that its another business move as his gym will be used by Derry players.

Call me cynical but Heaney would appear to be back writing to enhance his own business!

I don't think it makes you cynical, just means you have a working grasp of English I think.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: yellowcard on February 06, 2020, 10:01:18 AM
Quote from: ck on February 05, 2020, 10:40:37 PM
I rarely read the Irish News but happened to read a copy today. Heaney is a good writer but his article today is a glorified advert for his gym business in Maghera. His sucking up to Rory Gallagher was pathetic and OTT and again clear that its another business move as his gym will be used by Derry players.

Call me cynical but Heaney would appear to be back writing to enhance his own business!

Those were also my initial thoughts. One week is fair enough on his return to journalism but a second consecutive underwhelming column mostly about his gym just looks as though it is a self promotion column. Heaney was a very good writer but hopefully he will return to writing about what he does best which is gaelic football.   
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: naka on February 06, 2020, 11:48:18 AM
Definitely disappointing to date.
Call me a cynic but So Many issues in sport to deal with yet two articles about his business!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: seafoid on February 06, 2020, 11:58:29 AM
Quote from: yellowcard on February 06, 2020, 10:01:18 AM
Quote from: ck on February 05, 2020, 10:40:37 PM
I rarely read the Irish News but happened to read a copy today. Heaney is a good writer but his article today is a glorified advert for his gym business in Maghera. His sucking up to Rory Gallagher was pathetic and OTT and again clear that its another business move as his gym will be used by Derry players.

Call me cynical but Heaney would appear to be back writing to enhance his own business!

Those were also my initial thoughts. One week is fair enough on his return to journalism but a second consecutive underwhelming column mostly about his gym just looks as though it is a self promotion column. Heaney was a very good writer but hopefully he will return to writing about what he does best which is gaelic football.   
Try writing an article about football in early February.
In his mythical past in the Irish News did he write much of note in winter ? 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: BennyCake on February 06, 2020, 11:58:59 AM
IN: Sales are falling, lads. Go get Paddy back. 

Paddy, come back. Here's a wad of notes.

PH: OK, but only if I can constantly refer to my gym in the column.

IN: Deal.

PH: Missus, cancel those flyers.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: yellowcard on February 06, 2020, 12:24:02 PM
Quote from: seafoid on February 06, 2020, 11:58:29 AM
Quote from: yellowcard on February 06, 2020, 10:01:18 AM
Quote from: ck on February 05, 2020, 10:40:37 PM
I rarely read the Irish News but happened to read a copy today. Heaney is a good writer but his article today is a glorified advert for his gym business in Maghera. His sucking up to Rory Gallagher was pathetic and OTT and again clear that its another business move as his gym will be used by Derry players.

Call me cynical but Heaney would appear to be back writing to enhance his own business!

Those were also my initial thoughts. One week is fair enough on his return to journalism but a second consecutive underwhelming column mostly about his gym just looks as though it is a self promotion column. Heaney was a very good writer but hopefully he will return to writing about what he does best which is gaelic football.   
Try writing an article about football in early February.
In his mythical past in the Irish News did he write much of note in winter ?

The national Leagues are in full flow so from a games perspective plenty to write about. There is an epidemic of young players on whom county managers are placing way too much in terms of demands. I've heard of a county player recently who travelled to Belfast at 4.30am for a gym session that morning, returned to Belfast and then returned back to his county again that evening for a pitch session. Countless examples of this rat race. Fixtures issue has never been solved and is not getting better. Upcoming congress and presidential race. Loads of issues.

Still much too early to judge but maybe Paddy has just lost his contacts and inside knowledge within gaelic football and will not be able to offer the same insight which he did previously. Hopefully not but time will tell. Whether he is returning because of his passion for writing and gaelic games or simply out of necessity, it will quickly become obvious on the page. 
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Taylor on February 06, 2020, 12:36:56 PM
If we were expecting Paddy's new column to be like his old one then we are sorely disappointed.

The IN will be pissed off as they obviously hoped the arrest their drop in sales by taking Paddy back (his old pieces were really good).

The two latest pieces will do nothing to help sales as they are dire
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: ck on February 07, 2020, 04:04:37 PM
Quote from: Taylor on February 06, 2020, 12:36:56 PM
If we were expecting Paddy's new column to be like his old one then we are sorely disappointed.

The IN will be pissed off as they obviously hoped the arrest their drop in sales by taking Paddy back (his old pieces were really good).

The two latest pieces will do nothing to help sales as they are dire

Agree. The stuff I read the other day would put people off buying it. It was a blatant advertisement for his own gym. As for the love letter to Rory Gallagher? Another blatant business development tactic. The whole thing was embarrassing for the man.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rawhide on March 04, 2020, 12:46:10 PM
Paddy back to his best with that arcticle today, very enjoyable, 'the days when wakes were like smoking championships'  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Targetman on March 04, 2020, 07:03:54 PM
Naw can't agree with that, at least he didn't mention his gym!!
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: illdecide on March 04, 2020, 07:06:27 PM
Is he a cyclist?...lol
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: redzone on March 04, 2020, 08:43:46 PM
Copy and paste it up
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on March 05, 2020, 10:36:36 AM
Quote from: redzone on March 04, 2020, 08:43:46 PM
Copy and paste it up

Can't even unless a subscriber - premium content can't be viewed even incognito. Anyone know a bypass?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Main Street on March 05, 2020, 11:16:55 AM
Quote from: the_daddy on March 05, 2020, 10:57:06 AM
Quote from: GetOverTheBar on March 05, 2020, 10:36:36 AM
Quote from: redzone on March 04, 2020, 08:43:46 PM
Copy and paste it up

Can't even unless a subscriber - premium content can't be viewed even incognito. Anyone know a bypass?

Buy the paper?
Screenshot
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: GetOverTheBar on March 05, 2020, 11:56:07 AM
Quote from: the_daddy on March 05, 2020, 10:57:06 AM
Quote from: GetOverTheBar on March 05, 2020, 10:36:36 AM
Quote from: redzone on March 04, 2020, 08:43:46 PM
Copy and paste it up

Can't even unless a subscriber - premium content can't be viewed even incognito. Anyone know a bypass?

Buy the paper?

Go away with your nonsense.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Eamonnca1 on March 06, 2020, 05:41:02 PM
Viewing the page source works for some newspapers, but not the IN.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Newbridge Exile on May 06, 2020, 10:07:09 AM
Today's article was one of the  best since he returned to the Irish News, he really hits the nail on the head imo  with regards to the pushy parents and clubs attitude at under age level these days .
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: lenny on May 06, 2020, 11:46:14 AM
Quote from: Newbridge Exile on May 06, 2020, 10:07:09 AM
Today's article was one of the  best since he returned to the Irish News, he really hits the nail on the head imo  with regards to the pushy parents and clubs attitude at under age level these days .

Totally agree, great article.
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: clarshack on May 06, 2020, 12:17:27 PM
Excellent article.

There was also a great article a while back on the Nemo Rangers underage model which all clubs should aspire to:

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/02/22/news/we-don-t-care-if-we-lose-ye-will-all-get-a-game-joe-kavanagh-on-nemo-s-famous-underage-policy-1261352/
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Hereiam on May 06, 2020, 12:23:36 PM
Was a good article.... I realised I was shite at football when i was 14.  :D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Newbridge Exile on May 06, 2020, 01:07:06 PM
Quote from: Hereiam on May 06, 2020, 12:23:36 PM
Was a good article.... I realised I was shite at football when i was 14.  :D
I Think I had delusions of grandeur until i was 17  ;D
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: imtommygunn on May 06, 2020, 03:57:17 PM
Who wins? I was about 10 so I either beat you both or lose to you both ;D I briefly thought I was good when I was about 16 or 17 but then I realised that's because I was about 6'2'' and no one else round me was lol
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Newbridge Exile on May 06, 2020, 10:14:52 PM
Quote from: clarshack on May 06, 2020, 12:17:27 PM
Excellent article.

There was also a great article a while back on the Nemo Rangers underage model which all clubs should aspire to:

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/02/22/news/we-don-t-care-if-we-lose-ye-will-all-get-a-game-joe-kavanagh-on-nemo-s-famous-underage-policy-1261352/
A very good read as well
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Rawhide on November 25, 2020, 07:01:46 PM
Heaney bang on the money today. Hilarious. A classic Heaney piece. 😂😂
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: Kidder81 on February 16, 2021, 09:19:43 PM
Is he packing it in again with the Irish News ?
Title: Re: Paddy Heaney of the irish news!
Post by: delgany on February 17, 2021, 12:26:32 AM
Retired again