Messages

A child, no matter the background is born innocent and depends entirely on his/her guardian/s for their safety, welfare and guidance through upbringing.  The abuse of children either physically, mentally or by negligence should have serious consequences for the perpetrators of course, but questions should also be asked in cases like the one above,  how was the level of neglect allowed to get to this stage? 
In the Republic, resources are a major issue. Ideally, at risk families are identified at an early stage. They may be dependent on social welfare, have addiction issues etc. To ensure the welfare of any children in the family requires frequent interaction with the family by a dedicated social worker, unfortunately these are few and far between, especially those with adequate training. All too often children who are at risk are only coming to the attention of social services when they start school, by which time behavioral difficulties are prevalent and a lot of resource time is taken up by teachers trying to help these children adapt. The problem is often exasperated by malnutrition and poor hygiene.
Governments everywhere, not just our own need to understand that to plan for the future is to invest in child welfare for how they are brought up will dictate their future role in society.

That report on the news by Party Marty was shocking. Vaughan get getting a bit of free advertising, John 'glug glug vroom' Maughan talking shite and Rockford telling us we need to up the intensity levels. Marty then shares the news with us that if Mayo win on Sunday, Sam will be spending the winter in Ashford Castle.  Bizarre

Word through the grapevine tonight is that Keith Higgins has suffered a nasty fall, not in training either. A fcking poxy accident at home, of all the bad luck. Damaged ribs I've been told from a reliable source.
This is a frigging nightmare, we need him badly if we're to have any chance. Going for a pint now.

[I said to the lads we should move to the front so we can get over the fence at the final whistle]

'96 drawn game is the one that haunts me. At the back of the canal end with 7 mins to go I foolishly thought we had the game won. I said to the lads we should move to the front so we can get over the fence at the final whistle, one of them said hold tight, this isn't over yet. Still thought we had it in the bag at the end, couldn't believe it when that ball bounced in front of madden over the bar. It felt like a lost game, worse than any before or since for me anyway.
We were given some abuse by a section of the meath supporters at the end as we left the terrace, they had run the length of the pitch from the hill and up to the back of the terrace where they roared some crap about stealing land from them and starting spitting down on the crowd below.
Hopefully the naivety of those Mayo teams will be banished Sunday week by a good honest, clever performance for the full 70+ mins, even if we lose.

Sickening arrogance.

Arrogance of youth.

'96 drawn game is the one that haunts me. At the back of the canal end with 7 mins to go I foolishly thought we had the game won. I said to the lads we should move to the front so we can get over the fence at the final whistle, one of them said hold tight, this isn't over yet. Still thought we had it in the bag at the end, couldn't believe it when that ball bounced in front of madden over the bar. It felt like a lost game, worse than any before or since for me anyway.
We were given some abuse by a section of the meath supporters at the end as we left the terrace, they had run the length of the pitch from the hill and up to the back of the terrace where they roared some crap about stealing land from them and starting spitting down on the crowd below.
Hopefully the naivety of those Mayo teams will be banished Sunday week by a good honest, clever performance for the full 70+ mins, even if we lose.

That marking space is a great success.
I've never heard of space ever getting a score in any game.

All Ireland final in 1996. There was a space no one was marking and it went over bar to bring it to replay.

That was the goalkeepers space !

Things not good in the mayo camp . When i heard enda mcginley say it last night in a very sly way, i didnt pass much heed but it seems there is a lot of discontent and dont be surprised if two players dont even travel to dublin.

Heard the same, things not good

Another step towards semi-professionalism. Some are all for it (mainly the intercounty player's and younger player's) but it has the danger of diminishing the provincial championship, or maybe not. We'll have to see how it pans out.. If it means more money for the club's to put into development then good luck to them, might be the way forward.

Very disappointed in the intensity shown by Westmeath. Mayo moving through their defence without a care in the world. Hard to tell if this is a good or a bad thing when they face us in seven days.

Bad, was hoping for more intensity from Westmeath.

Higgins pushing forward now paying dividends

Andy having a good solid game so far. Nice point there from Cillian

D O'Connor out. Dead leg.

Already being missed

Anyone see any betting for this lads?  What's the handicap

Should be interesting to see how McLoughlin does tomorrow in the wide open expanses of Croke Park. Midfield is dodgy, but expect a 5 - 6 point win. Regan for first Mayo goal

A journalist friend of mine once told me that all the Mayo journos are regularly on here, for research purposes, so they can get stories.

Fixed that for ya