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Same as the local election poll. Again difficult to break it down by constituency, and some parties only run in one or two of the constituencies, but it may be interesting to see if there's any growth in the leftist/socialist parties and independents.

I know local elections are a lot harder to get a national view on, but I'd be interested to see how people are planning to vote in the Republic on Friday. I'm predicting a lot of Sinn Fein councillors elected, a bit of a bounce back for Fianna Fail, a lot of independents, a slight fall for Fine Gael, and a kicking for Labour.

Greg was before my time, but his name, together with Paddy McCormack's would be feted as genuine sporting heroes in Offaly from those nascent days in the 60s. A great man and a great servant to Rynaghs (Cloghan) and Offaly.

Offaly GAA was plunged into mourning yesterday when the news spread of the death of one of the greats of Offaly Football Greg Hughes. A native of Cloghan, Greg played a pivotal part in the emergence of Offaly football to the top flight. Offaly County Board Chairperson Padraig Boland, in expressing his condolences to Greg's family, described him as a colossus and remarked that growing up the Offaly full back line of Paddy McCormack, Greg Hughes and Johnny Egan was feared and revered throughout the Country. He went on to say the Hughes was one of life's gentlemen and an Icon of Offaly Football.
Greg was inducted into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame in 2010 for his contribution to Offaly Football. His performances at full back were a big factor in Offaly finally reaching the promised land when they won the Leinster Senior Football Championship title for the first time in 1960. His late brother Patsy, one of life's gentlemen, was a sub on that famous day in Croke Park when Offaly beat Louth in the Leinster final.
Their ambitions were thwarted by Down in the All-Ireland semi-final but in 1961, Offaly returned for a second bite at the cherry. They retained the Leinster title with a final victory over Dublin and went on to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time, where Offaly were pipped by Down in a famous final in front of a record attendance at Croke Park.
He continued to star for Offaly throughout the '60s and towards the end of the decade, a second great awakening began to happen for football. In 1969, he was full back as Offaly won a third Leinster senior football title, beating Kildare in the final. Sadly Offaly were beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland final that year.
After losing a legendary Leinster final to Meath in 1970, he won a fourth Leinster senior football medal in 1971 and finally achieved his life's ambition when winning an All-Ireland medal that year - By this stage he was a sub but he looked on with great pride as Offaly beat Galway in the All-Ireland final.
The winner of an All-Ireland inter firms medal with Bord na Mona in 1959, he gave huge commitment to his native Cloghan club. He played with them as they lost the 1959 Senior Football Championship final to St Patrick's and continued to serve them after the end of his playing career. He guided them to the Senior B football championship in 1988.
In his heyday, the All-Stars scheme was not in existence and representing Leinster in the Railway Cup was a huge accolade. He played for Leinster in five finals, winning medals in 1959, 1961 and 1962, when he was captain.
He also served Offaly well after the end of his playing career. He was manager when Offaly won the Leinster U-21 football championship in 1986. They were beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final while he also served as Offaly senior football manager for a spell in the mid to late '80s.
A teak tough player, his contribution to Offaly football is comparable with any of the greats of the past.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

Abuse against women is, in my opinion, one of the worst things a man can do, just behind abusing a child. I have zero respect for any man that would raise his fist to a woman, but what do we make of super Ryan's response here? Leaving aside the fact that I suspect he wouldn't break eggs, is this genuine or him trying to pull a publicity stunt. And is it acceptable behaviour, or unacceptable for a public figure to say something like that?

'I Would Have Broken Both Your Legs' – Tubridy Loses Cool With Caller On 2FM Show

He's noted for his laid-back manner but presenter Ryan Tubridy launched into a shocking on-air outburst this morning while interviewing a caller on domestic violence.
During his 2FM show, Tubridy received a call from a man who admitted he had been convicted for domestic violence, revealing that he had habitually beaten his wife and was only convicted after he assaulted her to "a point where she thought she had a broken bone, and she went to the hospital".
"Once she went to the hospital with the bruising showing by that point, they X-rayed her for a broken bone and that's when the police were called into the matter," said the man, only known as Chris.
Tubridy, a known campaigner against domestic violence, became increasingly emotional throughout the interview, questioning how a seemingly "intelligent articulate" man could continue to attack a woman "bent down, cowering in the kitchen, saying 'please stop doing this to me?".
While the caller went on to discuss the psychological motivations behind his behaviour, the presenter hit back at him for suggesting there was a "moral get out of jail free card" for such violence and appeared to be struggling to restrain himself, before giving a frank opinion on the matter.
"The problem is Chris...and I'm trying to be measured here, we do appreciate you coming on to tell the story and yet every time...if you did that to somebody I loved, I swear to God I would have personally called over and broken both your legs. I'm not going to lie to you. If it was my sister, my mother, my daughter, I couldn't help myself. I wouldn't let you out the door," he said.
"I know that's violent, and I know that's wrong. But I think it's man-to-man."

Looks like the GAA are moving onto the second phase of the FRC report, the Provincial Championships being redefined into 4 equal 8s. Zulu will be delighted to see they are still 'provincial' championships in nature.

At the recent meeting of the GAA's Central Council, President Liam O'Neill requested the members to ask all their county boards to discuss Part 2 of the recent Football Review Committee (FRC) report and forward their views to the next Central Council meeting for further discussion. Bearing this in mind the FRC wishes to clarify one aspect of its Part ll Report.
The key is to reach the four eights structure and enable a more streamlined Provincial and All-Ireland series while facilitating the playing of club championship games.
Eugene McGee
During its consultations and deliberations the FRC encountered an overwhelming wish to see a radical improvement in club fixtures, specifically club championships throughout the country. While there was also a very strong desire to see an Inter-county championship based on four groups of eight counties, there was also a strong desire that the provincial championships should be maintained as an integral part of the All-Ireland Championship series.
If the proposal to adjust the current make-up of provinces into four groups of eight for the All-Ireland Championship proper were to be adopted this would facilitate a more orderly and fairer system of playing off the Provincial and All-Ireland Championships. This in turn would lead to more weekends being available free of Inter-county games, thereby making it possible for County Boards to play more club championship games in the months of May, June and July – something that FRC surveys and consultation discussions show clearly is the earnest wish of the vast majority of club players. It would also allow the All-Ireland Club Championship to be concluded by December.
The FRC proposed one method for adjusting the present provinces into four eights. There may well be alternative suggestions as to how one might arrive at a provincial structure based on four eights. Whatever route is taken to reach that situation, the key point of our proposal should not be lost or confused by focusing on one example of how to reach the four groups of eight.
The Chairman of the FRC, Eugene McGee said that, "The key is to reach the four eights structure and enable a more streamlined Provincial and All-Ireland series while facilitating the playing of club championship games throughout the country during the summer months, something whose absence was the single biggest criticism to arise during our nationwide consultation process."

I've been harsh on Micko and his treks to all parts of the country for 'the love of the game', but I think this is absolutely brilliant, and probably more of a measure of the man than any smart comment I'd ever make about him. To go back to your club U14s after all he's done in his career is brilliant. Maybe I've had him wrong all these years. Well done Micko, maith thú.

http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=213194

This is from Midland's Sport facebook feed. I had no idea this rule came in, it must have slipped by me with all the black card hoo-ha. I'm delighted to see it, but I wish they'd do the rugby thing where the ball has to go dead before the game is over.

The GAA's new clock/hooter system will be used for the first time this weekend, on a trial basis, in the Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup semi-finals and final being hosted by Queen's University, Belfast. The Clock/Hooter system is due to be used in all Senior Football and Hurling (Liam Mac Carthy level) Championship matches this summer but will be given a trial run in both the Irish Daily Mail Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-Finals and Finals over the course of the next two weekends.

The Clock, which will count up from 0.00, will be operated by a timekeeper, who will only stop the clock when directed to do so by the referee. The clock will only be stopped for relevant on-field injuries or other incidental delays not otherwise provided for in the playing rules. The making of substitutions, the issuing of Yellow/Black/Red Cards and other Disciplinary matters, including consultation between match officials, will not normally result in the clock being stopped (the only exception being where a referee adjudges there is a deliberate or abnormally significant time delay in such circumstances which merits it).

A hooter will be sounded by the timekeeper to bring each half to an end. However, a score may be awarded by the referee where a player has played the ball prior to the sounding of the hooter (as long as no other player from the attacking team has touched the ball in flight). In addition, Referees will allow free kicks awarded prior to the hooter being sounded (including sideline kicks/pucks, 45s and 65s) to be taken, and scores accruing will also be allowed providing no other player from the attacking team touches the ball.

The meeting of NUI Maynooth and University College Cork at 3.30pm this Friday in the Dub will be the first official GAA game to be played using the Clock/Hooter system. The second semi-final between University of Ulster Jordanstown and University College Dublin at 5.30pm and the Irish Daily Mail Sigerson Cup Final on Saturday at 6.45pm (live on TG4) will also be played using the clock hooter with the Irish Daily Mail Fitzgibbon Cup Semi-Finals and Final on Friday and Saturday week will also be part of the trial assessment.

Anyone got any interest in this at all? Apart from the stories coming out of Russia about Gay rights, stray animals, and living conditions for the press (poor divils) and athletes. It appears to be a bit of a cluster f**k out there.

I always like the winter olympics for some reason, even if I never watch ski sunday or Eurosports winter sports. I love the Alpine Skiing events (but not the Nordic stuff)). Speed Skating is class as well,  as is the ski jumping, and the various sledding events, bob, luge and skeleton. The Ice Hockey is great, especially now that the NHLers are all allowed represent their native countries.

Anyone else watching this over the next few weeks?

I know it's late but just wanted to wish all GAA Boarders a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas. Enjoy, and be careful on the roads.

Sad news of the passing of Liam O'Connor. Offalys great full back on the 1982 team. I think there's 4 of that match gone to the great pitch in the sky now with Liam joining John Egan, Tim Kennelly and Paidi O'Se. Rest in peace Liam. A county thanks you.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/offaly-gaa-legend-liam-oconnor-dies-aged-58-29803164.html

Excellent stuff by a couple of young lads here. I'm assuming it's Tipp based on their surnames, and I think one of them was on a football development squad, but fair play to them.

I love that they are hitting off round bales of silage and everything. Talk about down home country hurling.

http://www.livegaelic.com/craic/hurling-trickshots-compilation/

Spawned from the Poppy thread, what would we consider the most common characteristics of an Irish person to be. Of course we are all individuals ("I'm not" - "Sssshhh") but just like those games where you guess someone's identity or occupation by how they answer questions, I think there are probably a set of characteristics, tendencies, attitudes or leisure preferences that if you built up enough of them, and a certain individual answered a certain way, he or she would be Irish.

I'm not necessarily talking about things like 'Do you know who Judge or Fortycoats are?'.

So, the real fíor gael will probably have a good few of the following......

1....Own an O'Neills Hoodie
2 Have a decent sense of humour, especially sarcasm or irony
3 Support a British soccer team.
4.Have an opinion on Saipan.
5.Ireland itself being our favourite topic of conversation or more usually, debate
6.Opinionated, and usually very willing to air that opinion.
7. Speak with authority on all cooking options of a potato   ( especially to non Irish )
8. Have a skillset in general conversation starting  ( usually weather related )
9. Generally open and can easily form affinity with other similar nationals ( usually on holiday )
10. Complain to peers but refuse to make offical complaint
11. Aversion to definite plans.
12. Will know someone that you know - one degree of separation.

A comment on another thread made me think. Would you support your neighbours/greatest rivals in a game like an All Ireland, or would that be a step too far? In what circumstances would you shout for them?

I know there is a strong Ulster and Connacht tradition of wishing their 'representatives' well, but I get a sense that is diluting a little bit in Ulster's case as they've gotten more successful individually. It's never really been a Leinster thing, although I'd have always shouted for Kilkenny in hurling on the basis that I wanted everyone else to see what we had to deal with. In the football I'm not sure I've ever shouted for a Leinster team just because they are Leinster. I've leant towards Meath in a couple of big games because I admire their tradition and the fact that you used to be able to hit and get hit without a war crimes tribunal being called for.

So, in a Vox Pop, state your county, your rival neighbour(s) and if you would support them in an All Ireland against a county other than your own (or if there are special circumstances)

In a county like Offaly, we have several neighbours and depending on your location within the county you may or may not be that affected by the rivalry. I'm from the West, so our local Football rivals would be Westmeath. I'd never have even considered supporting them in the past, unless a relation was playing, but I think these days I've softened to them and I would wish them well at this stage.

In hurling Galway would be closest to ourselves, and I have no problem shouting for Galway unless they are playing someone with a painful history like Limerick or Waterford.

I know lads in Gracefield that will never shout for Laois, Edenderry for Kildare, Coolderry for Tipp, etc.  What about in yer neck of the woods?

Well lads,

Quick one for ye. I have Vodafone broadband and phone in Tipp, and I've started seeing a problem which occured a while ago, and I thought I had resolved. Before I spend any money and still stay disappointed I was wondering if any of ye had experience or tips.

The Problem(s)

I seem to have two problems, both of which (I think) are related to the ADSL Modem/Router which Vodafone supplied me with a few years ago now. Both problems manifest in similar ways on my wireless device, but seem to be different.

The First, and most common problem, is the wifi signal dropping. This happens most often in rooms furthest from the router (I know, I know) but it never used to happen until relatively recently (6 months or so). I logged onto the router and forced it to broadcast on a specific channel, and that seemed to work for a while, but it seems to be happening again now, and more frequently. Could/should this be happening if I was doing more heavy streaming (NFL Gamepass for eg) or do I just notice it more because I'm trying to use things like that with my new tablet?

I got a free ware 'scanner' called Xirrus Wi-Fi inspector to see if any of the neighbours are broadcasting on the same channel, but I don't see anything particularly impactful there.

So, part 1 of my question is : Could the WiFi transmittor part of my router be getting worse, or might it be struggling to keep up with the streaming I am trying to do?
Part 2 is : Why is the signal seemingly weaker now than it has been, the bedroom used to be able to pick up a signal no problem, and now it's a lot more flakey, with no structural work done to the house. I struggle to stream radio now, which never had any issues.


The Second Problem is I think at the Modem part of the box. Every so often, but again seemingly increasing in frequency, I get the vodafone red screen which is basically telling me the internet is dead. I do not get this on my first problem, as I can still browse the internet on a laptop connected to the modem via CAT5 Ethernet cable. However, in this problem, the laptop and the browsers on the mobile devices give me the same screen, and the wi-fi signal on the devices looks fine.

My question here is similar : Could the modem be struggling with the downloads or streaming? I am getting about 6.5mb download. Or is it just calving? And would replacing it make any difference.

If replacing would help either problem, I'd do it no hassle, but I don't want to get my hopes up, change the modem/router and find the same problem. This is urgent guys, College Football and the NFL are back!

Lads, I just saw a report there on the New York 'County' final, and it's an absolute farce. Now, firstly, I have no problem with a lad going off travelling, nor have I any issue with a lad on a J1 heading to the states, or any other country and enjoying himself and playing a bit of hurling or football. I also have no problem with the lad getting a job on the back of it to help him with his travelling. That's the precursor to my rant.

My problem is with lads scattering over to New York, Boston or anywhere else, en masse, for a few weeks to play a few games. They are not doing it for the good of their health, they are not exactly helping their clubs (I'm sure Burgess would love the Mahers in the Tipperary SHC) and they are doing local lads out of games for their brief bungee appearances.

I think the GAA are considering some changes here, but I think this is just completely exploiting a flaw in the rules, and how in the Jaysus can any lad in New York say 'we've' won anything when you see the teamsheets from the final..


Senior Hurling Final
Tipp get title in battle
Tipperary 2-18 Galway 1-17

In an excellent senior hurling final, Tipperary did just enough to take the title with a storming second half performance. Galway will feel that they left it behind as they had at least four goal chances that came for naught in the second half while Tipperary were far more economical at the other end. It was neck and neck in the first half with the lead changing hands on numerous occasions. Galway had the slightest of leads at the break, 1-09 to 1-08. Cormac Murphy had the Galway goal while Brian O'Meara had rattled the net at the other end. It continued in a close fought vain for much of the second half with the Galway defense doing Trojan work. Liam Butler was outstanding in the second half alongside Ger O'Halloran. However a lot of times their clearances came back down the field after Padraig Maher and David Tracey had intervened at the other end.

ritical to Tipp's cause was the high percentage of accuracy that their attack had in particular Shane Burke and Brian O'Meara. Burke hit the net with five minutes left to finally put breathing space between the sides. Galway did have two final attacks but they were both snuffed out be stops by Craig Harford in the winner's goal.

Galway 1 Gavin Lally 2 Andrew Keane  4 Ger O'Halloran 5 Richie Gaule 6 Andrew Shore 7 Mike Cunningham 8 Martin Fennelly 9 Liam Butler 10 Ger Kelly 11 Eoin Larkin 12 Robbie Jackson 13 Paul Gordon 15 Cormac Murphy Subs Martin Dolphin Robert Mitchell

Tipperary 1 Craig Harford 2 Donagh Maher 4 Paul Shutte 5 Colm Forde 6 Padraig Maher 7 Francis Kennedy 8 David Tracey  9 Cian Maher 10 John Sheedy  11 Brian O'Meara 12 Shane Burke 13 Paul Loughnane 15 Davie Loughnane Subs Pat Egan, Fintan Maher

Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/NY-GAA-report-Tipp-get-title-in-battle-against-Galway-220169771.html#ixzz2cVlGiRXW
Follow us: @IrishCentral on Twitter | IrishCentral on Facebook

Well lads and ladies, I'm after being landed with organising the brothers stag, and I'm curious to see what ideas or experiences ye have. There'll be about 20, and I'm thinking somewhere like Westport or Carrick on Shannon, but I'm wondering what activities. We don't want a weekend of drinking, but something activity wise would be grand with pints afterwards. Not madness either, a pub with a session on would be ideal for the drinking element.. Looking for early September... What do ye reckon? The Age profile would be late 20s to late 30s, early 40s.

Harsh enough from Ger here. Strange sentiments too.


Loughnane: Mullane let Deise down
15 July 2013

John Mullane celebrates Waterford's win over Clare ©INPHO
Ger Loughnane has accused retired Waterford star John Mullane of letting his county down.

In his Irish Daily Star column today, the outspoken pundit claims Waterford would have beaten All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in Saturday night's pulsating All-Ireland Phase 3 qualifier if Mullane was playing.

"If John Mullane was still playing, then Kilkenny's long reign would have been ended on Saturday and he'd always be remembered," the former Clare and Galway manager wrote.

"Instead, he took the easy way out.

"Waterford were undone by the shortcomings of their forwards. And the main problem with their attack was that they were without John Mullane.

"He should have given another year to the county. He let Waterford down at the very end. If Waterford had Mullane on Saturday, then I'm certain Kilkenny would have been beaten.

"No player in a Waterford jersey let the county down on Saturday evening. Rather it was an ex-player who left too soon who was found wanting." - See more at: http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=196628#sthash.V76nNpHZ.nIR95FYu.dpuf

Just saw there where Gary Connaughton, the Westmeath goalie has retired. The thought crossed my mind when I saw him completely misjudge a long shot from Fermanagh that ended up in the net, and I just see it there on Midlands Radio Facebook page.

As an Offaly man, a Westmeath player has to reach a certain level before I am willing to call him a very good player. Dessie Dolan, Damien Healy, Natchie Ennis, John Keane and a few others have met that criteria, and Connaughton has as well. He has been a brilliant servant for the Lake county, and a really strong character. Best of luck to him in his retirement.

On another note, he played Sigerson this year for AIT. Is he the first Student to retire from IC football due to age?

I was up in Dublin for work (all too frequent these days) this week, and went out to see my brother playing with Brigids in a Senior League Game against O'Tooles. It was a home game for Brigids, but was played in the Phoenix Park.

Does this happen often? Are many games played in the Park? I thought the Park was used for mainly ad-hoc or 'away from home' lads training sessions. I have to say the pitch was grand, but jaysus the amount of deer shit on the field was unreal. That can't be healthy. If it was dog shit there'd be warfare. Is this not a significant health risk? I was just wondering how many competitive games are on the Park, and is this not seen as an issue? The brother came off after the game with shite all along his leg. Woeful stuff altogether.

The game itself wasn't great. O'Toole's are poor, and Brigids were missing their county men (from many counties!), but they still looked pretty decent. Barry Cahill is still a fine footballer, albeit one who switched off with 10 minutes to go because the game was over. Kevin Bonnar looked lazy, but very skillful in the full forward line.

What do people think of Donal Óg's suggestion that weaker counties should combine to give more competitive teams in the AIHC? His idea was similar to the Divisional structure in Cork, and Kerry, whereby players from counties in the lower tiers would combine to form an 'Ulster' or 'Connacht' selection and compete at a McCarthy Cup level, while remaining as their original counties in the Ring, Rackard and Meagher cups.

I'm against amalgamating counties as pride of place is paramount in the GAA, but if you have individual counties still competing at their level, and joining up, like divisional sides in Senior in Cork and Kerry, then I think you might be preserving that county specific identity as well. What do people think? would these 'provincial selections' actually provide decent teams? If it would work in Hurling, would it work in football? could we have Sam Maguire including 'Rest of Leinster, Rest of Munster or should we leave well enough alone.

I can see issues in it, and I wouldn't be in favour of abolishing county teams in those areas, but adding an extra combination at the top level might be a decent compromise?