Topics

Have any of you heard Tiarnan play An Chuilfhionn on the pipes? In one version he plays in Armagh Cathedral and in another on an album with Stephanie Makem.  The first part of the tune is an air, but at the end he launches into dance time.  Can anyone tell me what type of dance it is?  Sorry for being so woefully ignorant about Irish dance music, but I never progressed beyond The Siege of Ennis, The Walls of Limerick and the Waves of Tory.

Can anyone think of a famous Kilkenny hurler called Tommy K?

Or, better yet, who is the Tommy K after whom the bar on McLean Avenue, Bronx, is named? With the black and amber facade, and the hurling stick on the top right, I just wondered if he had any affiliation to Kilkenny.  I suppose the colors could be an attempt to give it a Guinness look.

Anyone watch it?  I missed the earlier, children's table affair, but caught the prime time spectacle. So, who was the winner?  I suppose it depends on what you're looking for.  For me, Kasich came across as the most compassionate and reasonable, but then again I'm not the GOP's target audience.  I don't think a lot of Republicans want compassionate and reasonable.  Trump just reinforced how much of a bombastic buffoon he is.  While Carson came across as a super smart ignoramus, Rubio seemed to have a decent grasp of the issues.  Huckabee was a down-home humorous evangelical, but I don't think he did anything to expand his voter count.  Christie was a more appealing Trump--confrontational with the ability to think on his feet.  I don't think Paul, Cruz or Walker did anything to woo new support.  Bush didn't hurt his cause by refusing to get into a mud-slinging match with Trump and so bolstered his chance to be the eventual front-runner.  He, with Kasich, in my view, came across as the most presidential.  None of the candidates screwed up so as to eliminate themselves from the race, but Trump guaranteed that anyone with a brain will not vote for him no matter how much raw meet he throws to the Neanderthals.

England lose 2-1 to Japan in WC semi-final.  English center back, Bassett, scores an own goal in the second minute of additional time. Heart-breaking way to lose, and player has to feel terrible.  The sad thing is that England outplayed defending champs Japan.  No way they'll be able to rebound for the third-place game against Germany.  The final will see Japan against the USA on Sunday.

I know, I know.  This must rank as one of the more absurd questions ever posed on this board, but I was thinking the nearest church might be St. Paul's.  Is there a closer one, if you're heading down, on foot, from the Malone Rd. area and up the Sandy Row?  And why would you do that, you may well ask.  Well, I really don't have an answer.

Just watched TG4's Laochra Gael show about Ogie Moran.  What a footballer.  8 All-Ireland medals for Kerry - not too shabby.  Marked him a couple of times in hurling when he was a student at Gormanston College.  He was greased lightning. 

Haven't seen a lot of coverage of the Burning Man structure in Derry.  It's due to be set on fire on March 21.  Remarkable to have a bonfire that is not daubed in KAT, FTP or KAH, is not built of donated pallets and rubber tires, and is not festooned in insignia intended to incite.

What's the general feeling about this effort to purge some of horrors/memories of the past?  Is it really a cross-community effort? Or do people see it as money going up in smoke rather than the architectural marvel that it appears to be?

BTW, here's the Daily Mail coverage of the event.  Not a Daily Mail fan, but it has good images and a video link to the Nevada Burning Man gathering:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2997361/Two-years-planning-hard-work-hundreds-people-lot-torched-just-one-hour-Burning-Man-artist-s-latest-Temple-unveiled-Londonderry.html

Did I miss an Armagh vs Clare thread?  No one has thoughts? 

I have friends and family making the climb at the end of March.  Have never done it myself, but would like to hear from people who have.  What's it like?  Is it worth it?

Tony Reddin, Tipperary goalkeeping great, died today.  A humble gentleman and a GAA legend.  RIP

What's up with the GAA website?  It's already Tuesday and the league standings are not yet posted.  Not exactly professional.  The snow build-up must be worse than I thought.

Well, after robbing Tipperary, Armagh has to make the long excursion to Wexford.  As far as I recall, we've had some big wins there but also ignominious defeats.  We should be favored, but after nearly allowing the Premier to win in the Athletic Grounds, I feel uncertain, even despite Wexford's miserable first outing.  Time to have the other forwards do their thing and not rely so heavily on Jamie Clarke's magic. 

So, how does Armagh look going in to this campaign?  Any insight into Armagh's starting 15?  I'd expect Armagh to win this one handily, especially playing at home and Tipp having to make such a long trek.  How's Tipp been playing?

Is anyone else having pop-up ads appear when they access the discussion board, blocking their view of the topic titles?

Now that Premium Sports no longer streams championship matches for residences in the U.S., I see that gaago.rte.ie is airing individual games for 10 Euros.  Has anybody tried this yet?  Any feedback would be helpful.  Thanks.

Anyone got a link to the latest NFL standings?  GAA.ie is showing me nothing, not unlike my Armagh team!

Trailing by 9 pts to Louth doesn't exactly thrill me with confidence about this fixture.  I know that Armagh-Down tussles are hard-fought affairs, but do we really have a cat's chance in this one?

Armagh

I think my own favourite is "The Hills of Granemore" ("The Granemore Hare").  Here's Al O'Donnell's rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLAJaCcGxGc

It seems to me that RTE news presenters have a particular gra for sporting metaphors, particularly of the rugby sort.  Legislation is forever being "kicked into touch" or "moved over the line", but I hear nothing of perfectly suitable metaphors like "solo run," "blanket defences" or "third man tackle."  Time to promote Gaelic cliches!

Tyrone bounced handily, Sligo . . . well, Tipp trounced, Limerick lambasted, Laois lashed, Longford not long for it, all lining up behind Armagh, first among losers.  Not all contestants in, so who do you think will join these ugly sisters, and if you're one of these beauties, who do you want to pick up?  I say, end this Grim summer and bring on Tyrone, or else give us a shot at Laois.