Messages

What's the craic with Seamas Quigley? Is he ever going back to play for Fermanagh? Is he playing with his club? The man is a serious talent.

Scary the abundance of talent Kerry have at their disposal this year.

[majority of the Unionist population]

There will be no United Ireland until a majority of the Unionist population agree, so that's that for the foreseeable future.

The GFA says a majority of the people of 6 Cos.
Why should the 44.8% (and rising) of the people not have their votes counted?
After all by the very fact of being Unionists they are against the concept of an Independent all Ireland State.

I don't think you're right there Rossfan.

My memory of the vote on the GFA was that voters in the North identified themselves as either Unionist or Nationalist on the ballot paper &
a majority of both camps had to be in favour for the status quo to change.

The unionists would never have agreed to the GFA on a simple headcount as they could see the way demographics were going.

Are you not mistaking that for the fact that the elected representatives need to identify as Nationalist, Unionist or "Other' when they are first elected to Stormont rather than voters saying which they are. Voting for a united Ireland would make you a nationalist and voting against it would make you a unionist anyway.

Your right there Ogra. Some things in Stormont have to get a majority of Unionists and Nationalists to pass.
Just had a read of the GFA and it's whatever the majority in North(East)ern Ireland decide as regards staying with  GB or joining the rest of Ireland. If the Sec of State feels that a majority would vote for change must hold a Referendum.

This is the last remaining undemocratic choke that the establishment have in terms of restricting the North rejoining the rest of Ireland. I wonder is it laid out in the GFA upon what criteria the Sec of State might judge that the majority of the people want a referendum for change?

Also, while we are on the subject; In such an event, would the South have to vote too? Or is it only a matter of reaching a majority in the North?

I still really enjoy going to the games, however, what I notice is a massive drop in crowd atmosphere. Can't remember the last time I heard an aul "Tyrone *clap, clap, clap* Tyrone *clap, clap, clap* or a sneaky "C'mon Tyrone, c'mon Tyrone!"

We've become a more refined bunch ;-)

It's been that long since the last game can someone remind me what is the maximum number of subs that can be used in a game now? Is it 6 or 5?

Thanks 

How long is a game while we're asking?

Would Clones have been a better alternative to Croke Park for this double header?

['The Longest Ride']

Watched 'The Longest Ride' (5.5/10) last night with Clint's lad in it. Quite enjoyed it. Nothing too taxing, fairly run of the mill but inoffensive and a nice couple of hours spent. Tonight, either Interstellar, American Sniper or Fury. Hopi ng for a 7 or 8 out of 10 from one of these.

American Sniper - 8/10. Brilliant Film. Mr Eastwood does it again.

Yank propaganda at it's worst. 2.5/10 for Bradley Coopers good acting.

The Down fans have a thread - why can we?

A fairly depressing season for Armagh. A big panel, a big backroom, little club footbal being played by county squad members, little underage success, turgid style of football at underage and especially senior level, no appreciation of the need to attack, no appreciaition of the need to address discipline, 4 more years to look forward to, little self belief in the squad/team, a stupid bloody big screen in the corner of the ground that doesn't get turned on.

What does next year hold and what do we need  to do.

Things... can only get better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwWfE4DAyao

"Moving Forward" used an awful lot by politicians.

What about boycotting the Tyrone county team or bring banners highlighting the club player's blight at county games?

Well making sure that your club makes its annoyance known at tomorrow nights county board meeting would be a start anyway.

Judging by the attendance at the Limerick match in Healy Park, many are boycotting already.

Do GAP policies tend to be taken for a number of years? Or renewed annually like regular car insurance?

Would it be useful for Tyrone to have a junior team? Seems more of a Munster thing but may be a useful intermediate step to Senior. Much has been talked of certain players county potential I think it could have merit. Given the club fixtures are regularly thrown to the wayside anyway you'd suspect it wouldn't cause any more fixture havoc.

Any thoughts?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/video-second-half-onslaught-sees-kerry-retain-title-340300.html

We used to have one up to around 87 or 88. IIRC we won it in 86 and a couple of players stepped up to the senior panel later in the summer.
What are the current rules around eligibility, is it simply a reserve team or is it players picked from non-Senior clubs?

Unaware of the rules surrounding eligibility, if it were non-senior clubs only then perhaps that would defeat the purpose a bit. I'm sure it could be ran at minimal enough cost, given it's potential benefits. 

Would it be useful for Tyrone to have a junior team? Seems more of a Munster thing but may be a useful intermediate step to Senior. Much has been talked of certain players county potential I think it could have merit. Given the club fixtures are regularly thrown to the wayside anyway you'd suspect it wouldn't cause any more fixture havoc.

Any thoughts?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/video-second-half-onslaught-sees-kerry-retain-title-340300.html

Martin McHugh said it is something to do with the troubles being over 

I thought that was a strange comment to make. As far as I would be aware, GAA participation amongst  young people in the occupied 6 counties was increasing (Open to correction, just my perception).
Martin seemed to make his point due to the 6 counties senior teams lack of quality this past few years - does this have any merit?

Where is the cheapest place to get 'diesel' in Belfast.

A friend wants to know.

Ha I love these 'friends' wanting to know, or they know a guy who.....

If you are dodging tax on green diesel up north, what's illegal? Customs are pulling you for using red diesel as you aren't paying British tax on it. So if you have illegal fuel from another country, was that why you couldn't be done for it in the past?

You couldn't be done for the Green before about 2002, but that is a while ago now.

it seems with this new marker that some people are going back to honest smuggling, and none of this washing.