Messages

I see Wexford took a hammering in Cork at the weekend. They seem to be in freefall. The only interest for those outside Leinster will be in Dublin's progress.

There is always one big performance in Wexford every year.
For the last 5 or 6 years they have look bedraggled in the championship build up.
They have the ability to put in a big performance of pride and passion.
I wish Offaly could do something similar in the championship.

Probably not as inspirational as Careys but for sheer skill alone, Kevin Brodericks point v Kilkenny in 2001 is absolute class..............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9HyF9tDaJQ

I remember John Leahy got a sort of similar score in 2000 where he dummied Cathal Moore of Glaway with a fake shot, put it over his head and then took his point.

I think Carey was somewhat overrated, but remember he arrived around the time that coverage of hurling exploded in the media.
What probably clouded the debate further was how offended Cork people got about comparisons to Christy Ring, so naturally they would tend to go overdrive at highlighting Carey's flaws.

I don't think we was ultimate all round hurler, but he was a devastating finisher and goal scorer.
When he'd take possession anywhere close to goals, the gasp of expectation from the crowd is something that no other player has generated in my lifetime.

Like HOH mentioned, English missed a lot of the television era. Before the 90s, Munster clashes didn't get televised live. After that, English was injury hit and often playing cameo roles.
My memories of English was that he could sweet points from distance, even with his marker breathing down his neck.

If you needed someone to dig a team out of a hole with a last minute goal, I'd give Carey the nod. To win the game with a scatter of points, then I'd go for English.

I wouldn't be surprised if Eugene got the chop though! 

Dan Shanahan is out for the opener against Clare.
However I still can't see Clare taking advantage of this.

08 May 2008

Lidl hurling helmet climbdown: Recall forced as gear fails safety tests
By Paul Kelly, Consumer Correspondent

DISCOUNT supermarket Lidl has been forced to clear its shelves of cut-price hurling helmets after the headgear failed safety tests.

The recall of the €49.99 Pro-Guard helmet is a U-turn for Lidl, which two months ago paid for newspaper ads claiming the cut-price helmets had passed Irish safety standard IS355.

But in a statement yesterday Lidl Ireland apologised, saying: "It has come to our attention that further tests carried out on the product have failed to comply with the relevant standards.

"We would ask customers to cease using this product with immediate effect and return it for a full refund to their nearest Lidl store."

No details were given about how many of the helmets were sold at the German-owned discount retailer's 90 stores nationwide.

Lidl put the helmet on the market amid great fanfare on March 3 and got the headwear endorsed by the two-time hurler of the year, Cork's Brian Corcoran.

Three weeks later the retailer placed ads in national newspapers, including the Irish Examiner, after the GAA raised questions about the gear.

The GAA said the only safety headgear it approved was the €75 Mycro helmet made by Mycro Sportsgear, of Ballincollig, Co Cork.

In the ads Lidl said: "We will not apologise for offering a high quality helmet at a significantly lower price than officially endorsed products.

"The Pro-Guard hurling helmet is fully compliant with the only official standard for hurling helmets, IS355."

Following contact from Mycro, the Government's National Consumer Agency (NCA) sent off Lidl helmets for testing in Britain but the results showed the headgear failed to meet the requirements of the IS355 safety standard.

Yesterday NCA chief executive Ann Fitzgerald said: "Consumer safety is paramount.

"I am glad that Lidl acted so quickly once management became aware of the potential hazards of these helmets."

Today the retailer is placing ads in national newspapers as well as at its stores advising customers to bring back the Lidl helmets.

Last night Mycro co-owner Victor Morgan welcomed the recall, saying safety helmets played a vital role in reducing head injuries from solid-ash hurleys and sliothars.

"Since helmets came in, injuries to players have been reduced by 90%," said Mr Morgan.

"Many people tell of spending Saturdays in accident and emergency 20 years ago before helmets came in."

Safety helmets give vital protection against head injuries while the guard at the front prevents players from suffering broken noses and smashed teeth, he said.

http://www.examiner.ie/story/ireland/gbcwcwmhey/rss2/

I knew I'd get them going!
It is back, but only seems to work for Firefox?

Kitt hasn't taken his demotion too well.
Throwing the toys out of the pram!

--

FF's Kitt to step down at next election

Dublin South TD Tom Kitt, who was sacked yesterday as Government Chief Whip, has said he will be stepping down at the next General Election.

The new Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, has fielded questions in the Dáil from the opposition for the first time in her new role.

Mr Kitt confirmed that he had declined a junior ministry from Brian Cowen yesterday when he was told he was losing his job as chief whip, which has cabinet status.

AdvertisementHe told RTÉ Radio's Today with Pat Kenny that Mr Cowen had his full support but that after consideration he would not be contesting the next Election, which is expected in four years' time.

In the Dáil chamber Ms Coughlan took the order of business for the first time, fielding questions on the Morris report into Garda misconduct in her native Co Donegal and a range of legislative matters.

She was universally complimented on her appointment, which was likened by veteran Fine Gael TD Paddy Sheehan as 'swapping the wellington boots of agriculture for her boardroom shoes'.

Ms Coughlan, who was elegantly attired in a black and white jacket and white slacks, told Mr Sheehan she'd be happy to oblige if the west Cork deputy was ever stuck for a pair of designer wellies.


Kenny warns new ministers on economy

Last night the first meeting of the new Cabinet approved four appointments already announced.

Pat Carey is replacing Mr Kitt as Government Chief Whip, Junior ministers Dick Roche and Trevor Sargent remain in position while Barry Andrews will be Minister for Children.

In the Dáil debate on the new Cabinet appointments, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny warned the new ministers not to hide behind the international slowdown in explaining Ireland's growing economic problem.

Labour said the country needed a change of Government not a changing of the guard.

Sinn Féin once more urged Mr Cowen to sack his Minister for Health Mary Harney.

Fianna Fáil argues that Mr Cowen has achieved substantial change while retaining the talent available to him.

I'd say Cullen was always good odds to stay in cabinet, as there otherwise wouldn't have been a minister in the Waterford/South East region.

On Health, I'd say no one else would go near such a problematic portfolio with the amount of vested interests plotting against you in a really messed up system.
Mary Harney is probably only willing to do it because she intends to bow out of politics soon enough.
I'd say Cowen and Bertie were delighted she was willing to take on the ministry.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen has confirmed Mary Coughlan is to be appointed Tánaiste. Minister Coughlan will also take over the portfolio of Trade, Enterprise and Employment from Michael Martin, who takes over at Foreign Affairs.

Dermot Ahern moves from that department to the Department of Justice.

Brian Lenihan takes over the heavyweight Finance portfolio. Martin Cullen also has a role in Brian Cowen's Cabinet, taking over the helm at Arts, Sports and Tourism.

Brendan Smith takes over at the Department of Agriculture while Cork's Batt O'Keeffe replaces Mary Hanafin in the Department of Education.

Minister Hanafin moves to the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

What do ye think?

It will probably just push the parking problems elsewhere.

If he can't grab a high ball out of the clouds, he'll not get on Brians team.

Once he can tackle like this, he's in!

Griffin's back on board an things are going well in the camp. This is Clares All Ireland final and they are totally focused on winning it. Waterford are looking to peak for the Q/F and i don't think they'll worry too much if they go out of Munster early. Eoin Kelly is out and there's doubts about McGrath, Flynn, Browne.

It will be an upset alrite but I can just see the Banner seekin it.

Clare's Munster championship record is appalling.
They have won only one match in Munster since 1999 (beating Tipp in 2003).
I'd say they're already plotting their course through the qualifiers.

He looks like your typical Brian Cody type of hurler! 

Looking on the brightside, at least Dublin hurlers aren't dropping out because of football these days! 
I would have thought McCrabbe had excellent potential after his performances for the U21s.
This years looks like a great time for Dublin to get to a Leinster final, but I don't think they can afford too many more departures.

--

Dublin hurling duo Alan McCrabbe and Keith Dunne have decided to opt off Tommy Naughton's Championship panel.

The pair were part of the Metropolitans' U-21 side that won a Leinster Championship last year, before falling to Galway in the All-Ireland decider.

However, it is not all bad news for Naughton, as last weekend's club Championship games saw Kevin O'Reilly and Derek O'Reilly return to action after their respective cruciate ligament injuries.

Captain Stephen Hiney lined out for Ballyboden St Enda's and Ronan Fallon returned to hurling action after his involvement with St Vincent's in their run to All-Ireland Club football success.

Naughton remained philosophical on the loss of McCrabbe and Dunne.

'That's the way things go,' he told The Star.

'We will just have to get on with our work without them. It was their decision - that's the way the world is going.'

The Dubs will face Westmeath in the Leinster SHC on 25 May.