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Hi, myself and a crowd of friends are looking to go to New York for a week in mid-March over St. Patrick's Day. Had an idea to rent a car and go visit Niagar Falls and then spend the night in Toronto before heading back the following day. Lot of driving to do in two days but I think it would be a good thing to do as I definitely want to do more than spend seven days and nights in the city visiting tourist sites and then going out. Has anyone done this in such a timeframe? If so, would you recommend it?

Don't do it. You would be way better off hopping a bus/train and hitting up to Boston for a few days. That time of year traveling upstate is a nightmare-all types of lake effect snow, ice etc. I'm speaking from firsthand experience. Falls are nice, but there's SFA to do up there that time of year.

Hardy, all due respect, he did more than comment on the standard of refereeing.

Reading his post match comments give me all the context I need to understand what he was trying to accomplish with his pre match comments.

If you think it within a pundits remit to attempt to influence a referee before a game, that's an opinion you're absolutely entitled to. It's one I respectfully disagree with.

Who's moaning??? Donegal won fairnand square and deserved to win. No decision tilted the game,

All im saying is in spite of him being a wonderful person for what he did for his friend, as a commentator, I think he's a pr1ck of the highest order

[but at the end of the day it's only talk]

It's important to have a bit of perspective in life. Yes the likes of Brolly and Spillane can annoy with comments on individuals and teams but at the end of the day it's only talk, and they're there to stir things up and entertain.  People should try and cast their minds back to early punditry and it was fairly dull stuff, no one wanting to cause offence to anyone.  Anyone who takes some of their more outlandish comments seriously need to develop a thicker skin imo.  Think back to August time and those Donegal eejits who attacked Spillane in the street - what awful crime did Spillane commit to warrant that?
What Joe Brolly has done is just unbelievable and says all we need to know about his character and downright decency. That's the stuff that really counts. Anyone who has a chip on their shoulder about a perceived wrongdoing against their county need to catch themselves on.

I used to be of that opinion. But Brolly clearly went on national radio the Wednesday before the AI final and labeled Mayo as a tactically fouling team as well as saying there was an onus on the referee to sort this out. This was not an idle comment or as you say 'only talk'. It would have been 'only talk' had he said it on the day of the game. This clearly had a bearing psychologically with the referee and his decision making on the game.

Have to laugh at this (sorry FTB) but this imo is exactly what the Mayo set up did before the AISF this year with its "observations"  on the referee made before that game. What's good for the goose  is ........etc.
Anyway wish JB all the best. Always liked him and thought that he is/was one of the very few pundits/ journos that was fair to Dublin over the years and who didn't engage in the  gleeful grave dancing like the others.

It's important to have a bit of perspective in life. Yes the likes of Brolly and Spillane can annoy with comments on individuals and teams but at the end of the day it's only talk, and they're there to stir things up and entertain.  People should try and cast their minds back to early punditry and it was fairly dull stuff, no one wanting to cause offence to anyone.  Anyone who takes some of their more outlandish comments seriously need to develop a thicker skin imo.  Think back to August time and those Donegal eejits who attacked Spillane in the street - what awful crime did Spillane commit to warrant that?
What Joe Brolly has done is just unbelievable and says all we need to know about his character and downright decency. That's the stuff that really counts. Anyone who has a chip on their shoulder about a perceived wrongdoing against their county need to catch themselves on.

I used to be of that opinion. But Brolly clearly went on national radio the Wednesday before the AI final and labeled Mayo as a tactically fouling team as well as saying there was an onus on the referee to sort this out. This was not an idle comment or as you say 'only talk'. It would have been 'only talk' had he said it on the day of the game. This clearly had a bearing psychologically with the referee and his decision making on the game.

Have to laugh at this (sorry FTB) but this imo is exactly what the Mayo set up did before the AISF this year with its "observations"  on the referee made before that game. What's good for the goose  is ........etc.
Anyway wish JB all the best. Always liked him and thought that he is/was one of the very few pundits/ journos that was fair to Dublin over the years and who didn't engage in the  gleeful grave dancing like the others.

In all fairness the last time that ref, reffef a Mayo match he gave 3 blatant game changing decisions against Mayo-even Pat Spillane said he was a disgrace after the game. Tack on the fact that he gave the Dubs, more than a few questionable calls the prior year, I think Horan was dead right to make the comments he did. It's one thing for a manager to say it, it's another thing for Brolly to do it a few days before the final. Given his post match rant against Mayo, I think it's quite clear now what his agenda was

Great gesture by Joe the person, but Joe the pundit is still a world class w@nker IMHO. Deliberatlely trying to influence the ref the lead up to the AIF with his 28 yellow card comments-absolutely fvcking disgrace

If Green Briar isnt convenient, find out where they're staying and post back up.

It did not receive the nickname "The Blackeye" for no reason-LOL

All depends where they are staying.  If they are downtown or west, I would head for the Green Briar-best pub by far to watch a game.

If they are South of the city-the Irish Cultural Center in Canton is a great spot too-(but a little out of the way if you dont have anyone to bring you.) They could stay on and watch some of the the Boston Championship while they are there.

Personally, I would avoid pubs in Southie and Dorchester to watch a game. Much rougher crowd who dont have an ounce of manners between the lot of them  (having lived in Dorchester for 5 years and watched many, many games there I am speaking from first hand experience) 

Wonder what all the bleeding heart liberals have to say about this!!!!!


Home  NEWS  News  Thieves broke 65 year old's leg and threatened to cut his throat
Thieves broke 65 year old's leg and threatened to cut his throat
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 03:10

Thieves broke 65 year old's leg and threatened to cut his throat


Charlestown man beaten for €60, some medication and a packet of cigarettes

A 65 year-old man was forced to move away from his home in Charlestown after he was attacked there by raiders, who broke his leg and put a scissors to his throat.
Martin McDonagh of 1 Lowpark, Charlestown, pleaded guilty in Castlebar Circuit Court to assault causing harm to Finbarr Maloney in his home on August 16, 2009. Mr McDonagh was one of two men who attacked Mr Maloney and threatened to kill him if he contacted gardaí. The pair left the house with €60, Mr Maloney's medication and his cigarettes.

'You're a dead man'
The court heard that Mr McDonagh and a woman had called to Mr Maloney's house earlier in the evening selling ornaments.
Detective Garda Ken Waldron explained that at 9.40pm, Mr Maloney had opened his back door to let his dog out before watching television. He heard a noise and went to investigate and was jumped on by two men wearing balaclavas. One of the men jumped on his leg while the second man, who was identified as Mr McDonagh, put a scissors to his neck and chin and warned, 'If you tell the police anything about us you're a dead man'.
He then took Mr Maloney's medication and cigarettes and took €60 from his wallet. Before he left he put the scissors to his nose and again warned him, 'I promise you, you're a dead man if you tell the police'.
Det Garda Waldron explained that Mr Maloney had managed to take the balaclava off one of the men and recognised him as Mr McDonagh who had earlier called to the home. He said he had never seen him before that.
Mr Maloney managed to get help and Mr McDonagh was arrested but denied participating in the attack. During the attack, Mr Maloney's nose was cut and forensic evidence matched his blood with blood found on the defendant's jumper.

Living in fear
Mr Maloney suffered a broken fibia in the attack which required surgery. In a victim impact statement, he said he now has a limp. He stated that he did not feel safe in Charlestown because he was afraid Mr McDonagh's family would get him. He said he moved to Castlebar, and as a result he does not receive rent supplement and added he will never forgive McDonagh.
Ms Mary Rose Gearty, Senior Counsel for the defendant, said her client was remorseful for what happened and while in custody was trying to turn his life around. She said he was educating himself in prison and was attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous courses.

Appalling offence
Judge Tony Hunt said that Mr McDonagh was lucky the judge's hands were tied on the matter because the maximum sentence he could hand down was five years. He called the attack a revolting and appalling offence which had physical and psychological consequences for Mr Maloney.
While he acknowledged the progress the defendant is making in prison, he told Mr McDonagh that the offence deserved the maximum sentence.  Judge Hunt sentenced Mr McDonagh to five years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months for two years following release.

Mapquest is a great yoke altogether!

Belmullet-Bekan            1hr 48 mins

Carrick-Bekan                1hr 03mins

Galway-Bekan                1hr 02 mins

Roscommon-Bekan            49 mins

Sligo-Bekan                   1hr 1 min

(As far Im concerned Belumuulet is the Spiritual Capital of Mayo Football seeing as that is where Willie Joe is from!!!!)

Tough one-but upon mature reflection-I thought I would add my 2 Cents worth.

(1) GAA players are fantastic athletes-they are not fantastic sportsmen.

(2) The goal of your team is to get more scores on the scoreboard than your opposition.How you do it-thats up to you (unfortunately!)

(3) Having human beings as referees/umps/linesmen inevitably leads to decisions that are unfair/wrong/inconsistent. Its part and parcel of the game and unless we start reviewing every single play we cant start picking and choosing.

(4) Meath should not be put in a position to make that decision. Either have a formal "top of house" review process or dont.

(5) Clearly define the roles of linesmen and umpires. Give them earpieces so they can communicate real time.

(6) Theres no easy solution to this one-Louth deserved to win but they didnt. (and I was cheering for them)

(7) Referee is sancrosanct-(even if hes a boll0cks). No one should be allowed to approach him after the game. He should be immediately shepherded into his changiing room by 4 Garda (not sticking around like a tool writing stuff in his book adding fuel to the fire)

BTW_I am a Mayo supporter and have no great love for Meath football, but do admire their tenacity and never say die attitude-WISH WE HAD IT!!!

I remember that - think the Castlebar Full back (Ronan Mee?) had run about 70 yards to flatten Hugh Lynn off the ball and a bit of an all in brawl developed.

I do remember "goldilocks" having to make a run for it too, but I didnt know why he was getting chased until now

And as for the referee-I was expecting to see him flaked around the place based on the commentary.  I think heavy jostling would be a better description 

(any Mayo people at the Crossmolina/Castlebar county final replay in Charlestwon back in the late 80s-referee actually ran for his life being chased by cross players and supporters)

Louth fans should show up en masse (10-15,000) at the next game and stage a sit in-force the issue.

If the ref wasnt so busy flashing yellows after the full time whistle he might have gotten out of dodge before the fireworks.