Messages

If you think you have it in you, Jack, go for it. There is no better feeling than doing something you love, and the good days by far outnumber the the bad days. As someone else experienced, I had the benefit of teaching in England initially. Inner-city Birmingham (Handsworth) was a tough baptism and I haven't experienced such trials and tribulations since. I've also had a 18-month stint in a Primary School but didn't think that age suited my interests. All-in-all, this is my 10th year behind the desk and provided you stick to what you want to do in teaching and not take on extra responsibility for solely prestige reasons, you'll enjoy it. Although you think it's better than a 9-5 job, you'll find out it's actually an 8-8 job. Don't forget you take your work home with you and will spend much of Sunday preparing as well. The Summer, Christmas and Easter holidays are very welcome.

In terms of discipline, you'll find your own methods. Some teachers shout, some are silent and both can work for different teachers. It's not a glamorous job and the pressure from those in authority as well as parents can sometimes leave you feeling disillusioned. Coping with this is the key. But sure that's the same in any walk of life.

Hostilities aside, good luck to Slim on Sunday - very few of us have played at that level. Has it be said, although the TV is meant to put a locka pounds on you, judging by the UTV coverage, Slim must eat chocolate all day long.

However, I question Cargin's participation in the replay. Their antics on Sunday were nothing short of disgraceful, from their keeper running 40 yards to deck someone, another blatant punch and their opposing manager being grabbed by the throat. Cargin should be thrown out and Lamh Dhearg reinstated in their place. I just hope that Clontibret, although they seemed a well behaved bunch, do not attempt to exact revenge on Sunday.

Well, the last 5 All-Irelands have seen just four teams compete. Kerry (2/4) Tyrone (2/2) Armagh (1/2) and Mayo (0/2). Can any team break this dominance? Well, the Jackeens, despite their obvious failings, do seem to be edging closer to an All-Ireland final. I feel that a change of management will see this happen - a bit like Armagh pre-2002, coupled with a Player-of-the-Year season for Brogan. I cannot envisage a breakthrough from any other teams in Ulster, Connacht and Leinster. I still think there's a big year in Cork.

http://www.britishpathe.com/product_display.php?Search.x=27&Search.y=25&searchword=gaelic

Some great early footage - all free. The animals dominate it though.....

Rossa camogs getting hot under the collars.

http://www.odonovanrossagac.com/

www.odonovanrossagac.com/petitiontks.asp  - only click on this link if you support their stand.

Another typical Autumn Errigal/Enniskillen game. Low scoring (3-3 at HT) with the introduction of Canavan at half time the deciding factor. I think he swung over 4 (3 from frees) and created enough panic in the Gaels' defence to force them into conceding scorable frees - something they weren't doing in the first.

To be honest, I cannot see an Ulster title in Errigal. Their brand of possession football doesn't really suit the heavy conditions and up front they still seem to be too reliant on God being on the field.

Surprisingly easy. A piss-poor Liverpool team were overturned with relative ease. Arsenal have played better in recent games and not won. I liked the Clichy-Gallas-Toure-Eboue back four. Fairly tight defensively with an attacking element down both flanks (even though it was the central defenders who scored). Good to see Henry rolling the sleeves up and getting stuck in - played the captain's part well. Again, Hleb and Fab spent much of the game weaving nice patterns - sometimes it works.

What is slightly annoying is that having won at Old Trafford and annihilated Liverpool, Arsenal are still 10 off the pace. No more losses to bottom half teams needed.

Boys, guarantee yourselves success. Follow the Northern lead.

I believe Rosicky pulled up in training. A pity, as he was starting to shine as an attacking force.

I see Errigal/Enniskillen is live on TG4 tommorrow, 1415.

Point of the Year: Mickey Harte making the point that the IR is a waste of time.

Pat Spillane Bollix of the Year: Pillar Caffrey's attack on Beefer.

I see it's Liverpool v Arsenal in the Carling Cup as well. Asking the reserves to beat Everton was tough enough, but the Reds might be a Mersey journey too far.

75.8% of the board were correct then....

Done it for you Rufus:

What's going on with Wenger?

SULKING Arsene Wenger has cancelled his usual Friday Press conference — for the first time in 10 years.

The Gunners boss is still refusing to talk after being charged with improper conduct by the FA.

Wenger stormed away from Upton Park without comment after his touchline bust-up with West Ham's Alan Pardew during the 1-0 defeat. He also failed to speak to the media after the 1-0 Carling Cup win at Everton on Wednesday.

Now the moaning monsieur has extended his vow of silence and is not even talking to the club's official website.

Today's boycott will be the first time since Wenger took charge at Arsenal in 1996 he has not spoken before a big home match.

And club officials cannot guarantee their manager will speak after Sunday's clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

As Wenger's lips remained sealed, it was left to Fulham's Chris Coleman and Watford's Aidy Boothroyd to jump to the defence of feuding bosses.

Coleman insisted the FA must be careful not to take the passion out of football.

He said: "Fans want their managers to show passion.

"It would be impossible for me not to celebrate a goal. I've found myself standing three yards on to the pitch after we have scored and could not even tell you how I got there.

"What we saw at West Ham was a manager who was under pressure and another who was disappointed that a couple of decisions didn't go his way. It was understandable."

Coleman said that Manchester United chief Alex Ferguson was the one boss he would not like to upset.

He said: "The hardest manager in the Premiership? There is only one hard man — and he's a Scot."

Boothroyd believes the FA should stop wasting money charging bosses and use it where it matters.

He said: "They should spend more time on the grassroots and educating coaches — and stop messing about with small things."

Gilberto says:

There were no problems with Mr Wenger and the players because the problem didn't involve the players. But the situation left us scared. We know the manager and we know that he is very polite and calm. Something very bad had happened to make him react like he did. After the game, Mr Wenger didn't talk to anyone. As it wasn't a problem involving the players, he decided not to discuss it with us.

"I have seen it on TV many times, and when West Ham scored Pardew came to our bench to celebrate, but in an offensive way. That made Wenger react how he did, and that is why he had to talk to Pardew about that celebration.

"He was p***ed off about the way he celebrated and, as i said, that was the reason he reacted that way. As I saw it on TV, Pardew said some words that he, as a manager, should have thought about before saying. He should have showed a little more respect. Of course, he could celebrate the goal, but not in the offensive way he did. That is what made Mr Wenger react."

Can it be that AW is simply embarrassed? I don't get it....the media didn't cause this. He was shunning them (on Sunday) long before they had written a word.