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Any decent city breaks from Belfast around Halloween? Looked at Krakow but I think I would rather go in summer.

Quite difficult to get out of Belfast to many places on mainland continent.  Unless you live in Belfast it is probably as quick to go to Dublin for more options.

Recently returned from holiday taking in Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin and Prague.  Flew to Copenhagen and home from Prague.  Journeyed intercity by train.

Would recommend any of these cities for a break.  Copenhagen has a climate similar to our own but a bit warmer in summer but would imagine much colder in winter. So we had a couple of days with soft rain.  Hamburg and Berlin were a little warmer but with some rain.  Prague was hit with a mini heatwave while we were there with temperatures ranging from 28 to 36 degrees.

Thanks to Ciaran McKeever for everything he gave to Armagh football over the last 14 years, never less than 100%.

Ciaran McKeever released the following statement today announcing his retirement from inter county football:

"It was always my dream to represent Armagh growing up so it's with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from inter-county football today. It has been a great honour to have been part of the Armagh squad from 2003-2017, as captain for six of those years, and this is not a decision I have arrived at lightly.

"Having met with Kieran McGeeney at the end of 2016 after undergoing two operations, I was unsure of my inter-county future but we decided to try and get the body right for one more year and I believe the time is now right to call it a day.

"I would like to thank every Armagh manager who I have worked under and all county board officials for their continued support throughout my career. Also to my club St Patrick's Cullyhanna, in particular Ciarán McConville who gave up so much of his time to develop my game.

"My journey as a county player has been truly wonderful – it has been a privilege to have been involved with such an incredible group of footballers and I am very fortunate to have tasted the ultimate success at international, provincial and county level and captaining Armagh's U-21s to All-Ireland success in 2004 was a special highlight.

"While always an enormous commitment, playing for Armagh was a fantastic experience and I would like to thank the many people who supported me during my career, particularly my parents Majella and Michael as well as all my family and friends.

"I was always proud to be the Armagh Rep for the Gaelic Players Association and I'd like to thank the GPA for their support and I look forward to remaining active with the players' body in the future.

"I'd also like to thank Denis Hollywood, Armagh GAA Games and Coaching Officer, for spending endless hours with me on a one to one basis as he helped to improve my knowledge of the game and develop the skill set needed to succeed at this level.

"I'd like to pay special thanks to Kieran McGeeney, who I always looked up to as a youngster from my days travelling to watch Armagh play. When I joined the squad in 2003, he took me under his wing and helped me develop as a player, he taught me what commitment and values were required to play for Armagh and I'm glad my journey has ended under his watch. I'd like to wish Kieran and the Armagh squad all the best in 2018 and into the future."

It's even more than that. We're being told how shit county football is by pundits on RTE who make a nice sum from telling us that...and that there needs to be a more socialist model. You have the same pundits monopolising print journalism for very handsome sums, regurgitating articles for various publications in the same week at the expense of qualified journalists.

+1

Last week, umbrellas were being confiscated and put into blue wheelie bins.  While there is no place for umbrellas at a game blocking views and dripping onto the people behind, it would be a loss to some to have their golfing umbrella confiscated on entry to the ground when there was no warning beforehand.

Does anyone know If there is any provisions in place for someone who is in their 80s to get to croke park from drumconda without walking .. the said person will always get a good seat but the walking to croke park is taking its toll ?

If you could persuade them to take a wheelchair, I am sure you could leave it secure during the game.

Benny we send whoever is requested. My nephew is on one. We have cooperated with the squads for years but that doesn't mean they are producing the quality of footballers that you would hope at underage level and consequently then at senior level.

Is there any evidence that development squads are working anywhere?

The issue lies with the quality of the coach and the coaching with these squads.  Most often those chosen to be the coaches have no established coaching background.  If you have a youth development system then your most experienced and best coaches are needed to take these squads.  In many instances these positions are seen to be stepping stones for coaches, they want to work their way up to taking minor or u21 teams in the future or establish a CV which will propel them into the lucrative market of club management/coaching.

In virtually every county in Ulster the development squads operate at best separately from the colleges football or more likely in competition for the services of the players.  With the colleges' system reorganised into a single body and with every school playing within the grades provided, all of the underage players in Ulster have three masters, the club manager, the development squad/ minor manager and the school coach.  All three will often be in conflict over the player availability, coaching methods and game management of the player.  None of this is to the advantage of the young person and certainly not to the development of a competitive county team.

Armagh has shown little success within its colleges sides bar the recent emergence of St Paul's and to a lesser extent St Ronan's while the failure of Abbey, Colman's and St Pats contributes to the overall malaise within the development of a successful county team.

Glen Campbell and his family made an excellent film, 'I'll be me', about his farewell tour.  While it does celebrate the music of the great man, it is a very good film about Alzheimers and its devastating effects on the person and his/her family.  It has been shown a number of times on Sky Arts and will probably come to the fore again at this time.  Take the opportunity to view this film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAtgraWN5-I

On Jools Holland show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vij6uXDwnsU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49YDR6OMIE

Here's a 'yoof' programme from BBC3 looking at the DUP and bonfires:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p05b5w4x/stacey-dooley-investigates-the-billion-pound-party

[Tyrone fan punched a female Armagh fan.]

http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/rival-gaa-fans-brawl-belfast-13439560

A few Conor McGregor wanabees i doubt

The Buckfast Brigade does Armagh proud once again 

BBC reporting a Tyrone fan punched a female Armagh fan.

I'm not saying this particular incident didn't happen as I wasn't there, but the BBC will feckin love reporting it. This was witnessed by a soccer fan in his way back from the Liverpool game apparently.

Originally reported in the Irish News and repeated by the BBC.

The Boss wanted this article from today's Indo distributed to all:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/columnists/joe-brolly/joe-brolly-tyrone-wont-have-the-pace-or-the-skill-advantage-in-semifinal-with-dublin-36003714.html

When you think the rain is over, rows C to E in the lower Hogan get huge drops of water falling on them from the lighting rig on the edge of the roof!

Tickets back on sale last night on gaa.ie 

Travel Alerts:

Pipe laying on Newry Road in Armagh about halfway up the hill.  Results in traffic lights and single vehicle passing at all times. Will be an issue on Saturday. Creates long delays in both directions. There is a way around but it isn't easy.

Barrier repair on Aughnacloy to Ballygawley Road about 3/4 mile from Aughnacloy should be finished by Saturday but traffic lights currently in place.

Resurfacing of Great Northern in Omagh. Taking place at night but slowing traffic during the day, should be well on by Saturday.  Road closed at night with diversion through town.

Some sort of roadworks about 3 mile out of Monaghan towards Blayney, not sure what is happening.

Thanks Owen B.
I'll probably go to that pub first and see what they have access to.
Then I can use their laptop or internet TV and set up the VPN to access my Sky sub.

If I take my laptop with me to France does that have to be inside my carry on case or can I carry a laptop case as well with Aer Lingus and back with Cryin Air

Just back from Denmark and Czech Republic airports with RyanAir and no word of not allowing laptops.  The US ban has not been extended to Europe.  Still telling people not to use laptops on board during takeoff and landing.
If you need any help with the settings on ExpressVPN just pm.  Bring a hdmi cable to join the laptop to the TV.