Messages

If I was advising the SDLP, I would tell them to Green up.  Now that they have embraced FF, they need to accept that the Social Democracy element of their party is gone and they need to be working for and planning towards a United Ireland.  They need to be at one voice with SF on Stormont, Brexit and DUP dysfunction and be very clear that under the current situation, they two could not countenance going back into the Executive. And they certainly need to stop the complete nonsense on abstenstionism. When the election comes, nationalists are then clear that both their parties are at one voice on the national question, therefore it comes down to a vote on who is the better candidate.  The current SDLP approach is just plain ridiculous.  Nobody, including themselves really have a clue what they are about, so it becomes a vague 'Get back into Stormont' rant that makes no acknowledgement at all towards the issues that got us to where we are.  The other thing that keeps them going is that they spend their time 'marking' SF and making counter statements nit picking the SF approach and not offering one pragmatic idea themselves.

If Sinn Fein deliver a United Ireland it will be a nasty, troubled affair because Unionists simply don't trust SF and never will, in fact they despise them.  SDLP could have a much better chance of getting there more peacefully and probably more quickly, if only they could see the opportunity and had the talent in their ranks to attract voters back.   

History clearlyy shows that unionists 'simply don't trust' nationalists' of any sort...whatever shade of green they are.

Unionists are ok with nationalists if they just keep the head down and don't rock the boat.  That day is over.

We have crows who sit on the guttering directly above the back door.  Unfortunately, as you'd guess, they poop and it falls down on the path at the back door.  They roost in a clump of trees about 200 yards away but seem to use our roof as a place to stop before they head to the trees.

We've a big plastic owl but not much use.  Somebody told me that I need a pretend owl who's head moves occasionally. 

Any ideas?

Tiip V KK on TG4..deferred games after that.

Until SF allow recruits live in their own community the PSNI will continue to struggle to recruit Catholics.

What does this mean? Clarify please.

You have be a serious spoon nowadays to be Asst Chief Constable or Asst Commissioner. They do Masters degrees in Policing, often in America, you've been a rising star for years.

These Masters degrees in Policing evidently don't prevent ineptitude to be the norm under your watch.


Does anyone seriously believe that the PSNI "mislaid" these documents relation to the massacre at Sean Grahams bookmakers more than once yet were somehow found when preparing for a civil proceedings.
The one bad apple in the barrell mantra churned out about collusion should be well and truly put to bed, it was/is systematic in the PSNI.

Mary Lou was right to voice her misgivings about the currently batch lining up within the PSNI for the top job.

+1

Mary Lou showing total disregard for fair employment legislation with her pronouncement on new Chief Constable. Irrespective of your position on this you can not legally discard someone based on your political beliefs. Shows a Fianna Fail level of understanding of the North.

To dismiss her comments as silly or ill judged is incorrect. This was a deliberate and well thought out response coming from those at the very top. They're trying to influence the selection process. A weak or inexperienced Chief Constable will play into SF's largest supporters as there is no doubt a lot of money to be made post Brexit with new border tariffs.

I think the comment must be taken in context - not by the 1 line 'Nolan' soundbite.  She was interviewed after a meeting about the situation when 'new information' has suddenly came to light re: legacy cases.  Each time there seems to some closure, new evidence is suddenly found.  Clearly the police, especially the top management are not willing to put everything on the table.  People are angry about this, but not surprised.

The question for nationalists is, has anything really changed?

Leave aside concerns about collusion and potential cover ups. In terms of a selection process you can not issue a sweeping statement such as this. Complicity in cover ups or obstructing the Ombudsman can be teased out during the selection process and can be considered as evidence of suitability or otherwise at that juncture, to make a sweeping statement such as this makes it extremely difficult for SF reps to participate in the selection process and that is regrettable. As for change in the PSNI there is still a way to go but that will take time and the retirement of the RUC elements. It is not helped by SF or any party politicising policing and putting young nationalists off joining. That plays into unionist hands. The Police federation should address the pro RUC and pro Unionist stance it takes also before having a go at Mary Lou, they are also an obstacle, m just look at their crest.

I think her point is valid especially after the meeting she had re; legacy.  Stumbling block after stumbling block has been put in the way - some over 30 years so I will raise raise raise the question again: has anything changed in regards to policing and the past?  They, in my opinion, are not capable of dealing with these issues. 

Are there any nationalists who disagree with me? 

This old ' things are improving' and 'it'll take a bit more time' etc. don't was with me.  We either stay the same or get a new era to policing.  After last weeks findings about Sean Graham's etc. , it's clear to me which it is.

Mc Donald was basically asking 'has the psni changed? 

Answers on a postcard!!

Mary Lou showing total disregard for fair employment legislation with her pronouncement on new Chief Constable. Irrespective of your position on this you can not legally discard someone based on your political beliefs. Shows a Fianna Fail level of understanding of the North.

To dismiss her comments as silly or ill judged is incorrect. This was a deliberate and well thought out response coming from those at the very top. They're trying to influence the selection process. A weak or inexperienced Chief Constable will play into SF's largest supporters as there is no doubt a lot of money to be made post Brexit with new border tariffs.

I think the comment must be taken in context - not by the 1 line 'Nolan' soundbite.  She was interviewed after a meeting about the situation when 'new information' has suddenly came to light re: legacy cases.  Each time there seems to some closure, new evidence is suddenly found.  Clearly the police, especially the top management are not willing to put everything on the table.  People are angry about this, but not surprised.

The question for nationalists is, has anything really changed?

Maybe it's part of his 'contract' - that he has to do a certain amount of programmes per season? Then he'll do a good few when the games come thick and fast later in the year i.e. 3 or 4 big games every week.

I see Sevco have appealed Moreles red card last night, i'll be surprised if he doesn't get off

Shock horror, he gets a 3 match ban... They must have looked at their next 3 fixtures and said "they'll not need him" 😂

Dealt with at time. Appealing it make them look like pricks.

Mc Gregor one was brutal but hopefully he'll get pulled up for it.  He'd be a bigger loss.

13 penalties to SevCo this season on SPL compared to 5 to Celtic, despite Celtic scoring more goals and creating far more goal chances.  Compare to  the Europa League SevCo got 1 penalty while Celtic were awarded 2. Strange.

Excellent point.

Another dubious penalty for SevCo tonight and a free kick that no-one but the referee saw that led to the penalty.

They are winning 4-2 .. penalty not the issue. Celtic fans are obsessed with Rangers refs and SCF

I think when a team is awarded 4 penalties in one game, like last week, questions need to be asked.  3 were clearly not penalties!!

Tonight's penaly was at a crucial time in the game.  We'll keep you updated on any more dodgy decisions as the season goes on!!

I thought this was the menu for the chippy Leo?

[The DUP backed the wrong horse from the outset.]

I know Tusk must be seething underneath but jeez does this not play into Brexiteers hands!

Wee Sammy Wilson has his speak.

https://twitter.com/eastantrimmp/status/1093126875524878336

The usual 'no surrender' crap that he comes out with.

At least now he's taking it international and the rest of the world can see what we've had to put up with I suppose. 

Yes but whenever brexit is done with, Europe and Britain will forget all about the DUP and sammy and co will crawl back to the north and continue to spout their bigotry. And we'll continue to have to put up with them. And nothing will ever change.

The demographics are only going one way

https://www.ft.com/content/7d5244a0-f22d-11e8-ae55-df4bf40f9d0d

There could even be an overall catholic majority by the time of the next census which is only 2 years away in 2021, certainly it will be nearing an equal split. That is no guarantee that a border poll could be won but I think it is a definite possibility within the next 10/15 years given the moving demographics. That last census poll is 8 years old which means that in each 10 year age category up to mid 40's there is now a catholic majority. That is no guarantee of winning a border poll but I feel that a no deal Brexit would be a game changer in that respect for those in the middle.

I don't think it is sensible to be calling for a poll until the outcome of Brexit is settled but pre Brexit it was only a distant pipe dream for most nationalists, at least certainly a generation away. The DUP backed the wrong horse from the outset.

While Brexit has certainly played a massive part in the change of attitude, it's not the only factor. The DUP under Foster has literally attempted to rub the noses of nationalists/republicans in the dirt. A friend who knows a leading light in the north's business fraternity told him they had been in conversation with several DUP members who were actually shocked by how bitter Foster really is. The Shinners only grew a set and brought Stormont down because their own voters let it be known in no uncertain terms that enough was enough. Yet still the Shinners were prepared to bend the knee with the wishy-washy agreement they made to re-establish Stormont, only for Foster to stab them in the back again and renege on it after both the UDA and Orange Order let her know it was unacceptable. Foster has done more to advance Irish unity than Ian Paisley ever did, and she's done more to ensure that Stormont will never sit again. Credit where it's due... well done Arlene

Stomont, in a government way is gone forever.  Nationals are now looking towards Dublin and a new type of Ireland.

The DUP had there chance and blew it with bigotry.  The straw that broke the camel's back was the Liofa funding granr being taken away.  That was that - party over.

The next question is what are Dublin government doing to re-unite Ireland?  Not much I reckon.  Going by the big nationalist gathering in The Waterfront Hall a few weeks ago, they, the Dublin government, are well out of touch with northern nationalists.

Only positive thing is that now they know how bigoted and difficult the DUP are!!

County boards in Antrim, kerry, laois, westmeath and carlow need to vehemently oppose the new league structure for 2020. Counties ranked 9-12 will be lumped in with more counties that are 15+ points their superior. A defeat of less than 8 in a game of hurling can help weaker teams learn to hurl at a faster pace but big beatings help nobody. The current league format offers more competitive games for every county.

Top counties are arguing that its easier win an all ireland from 1B coz you can wait for a league quarter final to go up a gear. If this is the case why do 1A counties fight relegation so strongly. Experiment in the league, stay up in 1A or get relegated to the utopia of 1B. Either way hurling is not really weakened in your county. The proposed 2020 league will bring huge beatings week after week for teams ranked 9 to 12.

I don't think there's a relegation from Div. 1A this year and no promotion from 1B.  There is a relagation from 1B though...I think.

You have a point though.  Why do teams avoid relegation from a competitive 1A. while the last 2 All Ireland winners have come from 1B.

I think also that it's been a long time, possibly never, that neither of the 2 league finalists (KK & Tipp) reached the All Ireland semi final. 

Over the next few years, we'll see if it's a one off or a trend!

County boards in Antrim, kerry, laois, westmeath and carlow need to vehemently oppose the new league structure for 2020. Counties ranked 9-12 will be lumped in with more counties that are 15+ points their superior. A defeat of less than 8 in a game of hurling can help weaker teams learn to hurl at a faster pace but big beatings help nobody. The current league format offers more competitive games for every county.

Top counties are arguing that its easier win an all ireland from 1B coz you can wait for a league quarter final to go up a gear. If this is the case why do 1A counties fight relegation so strongly. Experiment in the league, stay up in 1A or get relegated to the utopia of 1B. Either way hurling is not really weakened in your county. The proposed 2020 league will bring huge beatings week after week for teams ranked 9 to 12.

It's always the top 9 counties protecting their patch.

Look at how they treated the Ring and Rackard finals - minors players from the top counties were more important

Hurling snobbery

Their in 'inner circle' in hurling now that the leagues are organised the way they are.  Hard to break into this.

First thing is Mc Donagh Cup needs live programmes and a highlights programme by itself.  TG4 should do this/be allowed to do it as it'd raise the profile of these counties and players.  Some great hurling on show in Joe Mc Donagh.