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[(iii) if he becomes 'Commander in Chief' of the Irish Army, which an elected President is, how could the Army Council of the IRA still exist, which claims to be the 'real' army council of the Irish Republic.]

If McGuinness is chosen (which he won't - Shinners spinning this out for maximum publicity) I assume legitimate questions would be to him on the canvas:

(i) how many people has he personally killed in 'the struggle'
(ii) what IRA operations did he sanction - and how many casulaties were there?
(iii) if he becomes 'Commander in Chief' of the Irish Army, which an elected President is, how could the Army Council of the IRA still exist, which claims to be the 'real' army council of the Irish Republic.

*runs for cover*

I hope he runs for president just so he can be asked this question.

A group of Denver fans spend $10,000 on billboards demanding Tebow starts.  Crazy boys, not exactly helping the situation nor will it be any help to the probably already low confidence of Orton and the rest of the Offense.

[Just what the Republic needs, another Politician with multiple Pensions.]

Apparently Marty McGuinness was considered as Sinn Fein's Candidate for the Presidential Election. Just what the Republic needs, another Politician with multiple Pensions.

I wouldn't worry about it.  Whoever Sinn Feín put forward wont get elected anyway.

Is Mayweater Ortiz on Sky tomorrow night and if so will we have to pay for the privilege?!

I refuse to pay for any Mayweater fight now unless its against Manny.  Its about time boxing gives us the fights people want.  Four World titles at every weight level and boxers avoiding each other its no wonder boxing isn't as popular as it used to be.

I bet online, rarely.  I normally try and keep with the sure bets even if the profit is small.  I bet on hurling, soccer and maybe American Football.  I stay away from horses.  Too many to pick from and very hard to win on.

I learned my lesson a couple of years ago when I put alot of money on Tiger Woods to win one of the Opens.  He was well ahead when I backed him but he didn't win.  Luckily for me Paddy Power paid out early.  The latest bet I made was picking the winners of the four Rugby World Cup groups.  But I wouldn't consider myself a gambler as such.

Does anyone know if Sky are using the Redzone feature this year?

Just ordered my tickets for Wembley.  Anyone else heading to the London game this year?

So he was about 39 when he played his part in The Green Mile.  Man I thought he was only about 25 or 26 in the film.

Very sad news.  Hopfully he can battle through this.  I wish Ger, his family and friends the very best.

Re Seanie's experience with soccer... I've seen that happen elsewhere and I fully agree if the GAA did the same the media would have a field day.

Sligo Rovers signed them to a contract and pay them money.  They are well within their rights to do that.  They are a small club with very little finance, they can't afford or take the risk and allow them play other sports.  This is not a shot at Sligo GAA as it is a shame to lose young players that have potential.  But you can not blame the players or Sligo Rovers for this decision.

[We always have this notion that other people, be they prods or other people that wouldnt normally play gaelic games have to play so they can tell us how great our games are.[b/]]

It's a load of bollox, imo. The wee lads who were involved in this probably did so because they got out of school. They will never play hurling again and it will not lessen their hatred of fenians. Times are not changing. You are a mug if you think so.

Speaking of which, my ma came back from the Clonard Novena the other night and told me that the Priest walked across Lanark Way and on to the Shankill, the day before. Oh aye, he was wearing a Galway jersey too. The Priest told her (and probably the rest of the congregation) that he would never have even thought about doing this in previous years.

Bullshit!

I would have to agree with you. It is all PR bullshit and a vehicle for whoever is organising it to get a trip to the USA. There are plenty of areas the Gaa could be putting their money to better use, as Leo said in areas like Tyrone and parts of West Belfast. Doesent make for touchy feely headlines though so the top brass are not interested. I honestly couldnt give a shite if someone from the Shankill never lifted a hurl, they will probably be using the hurls to hit golf balls into the Springfield Road in a couple of weeks. We always have this notion that other people, be they prods or other people that wouldnt normally play gaelic games have to play so they can tell us how great our games are.[b/]

Or just maybe the GAA want to grow into other communities where Gaelic Games are rarely played, you know so as to improve the sports in the long run.  The same way all sporting organisations try to grow in numbers.  I don't see any harm in this and can't understand why this is not a good thing as long as the GAA continue to try and get Gaelic Games played in more schools and this initiative is not just a one off thing.

[Went with a proper cyclist and i think the pace was a bit too much for my first time but being the stubborn bastid that i am i wouldn't let it beat me...suffering now for it]

Cycled from Lurgan to Newry and back today...holy f**k, feel like i've been beat to death.

Went with a proper cyclist and i think the pace was a bit too much for my first time but being the stubborn bastid that i am i wouldn't let it beat me...suffering now for it

Its tough isn't it.  I went with a friend last year who is big into cycling.  I can ride a bike no problem but it was my first time on a proper racing bike.  They are so light I felt I was going to fall off the whole time.  Great for fitness though.

Frankly I think its a load of balls...

Great for the fella - but if he had signed for Burnley would it be all over the news - I think not!

Well obviously not...

[GAA star signs for Glasgow Rangers]

GAA star signs for Glasgow Rangers
By Chris McCann
Thursday, 23 June 2011

He's a young Catholic, pretty nifty with a Gaelic football — and on his way to Rangers.

Budding football star Aaron McGregor is set make a remarkable transition this week when he swaps his GAA jersey for the Glasgow side's blue strip.

The 17-year-old has been snapped up by the Scottish giants, signing a two-year full-time professional contract.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/gaa-star-signs-for-glasgow-rangers-16015100.html

And while excited to be joining the Ibrox club and the Scottish Premier League, young Aaron is disappointed to be leaving behind his squad place with Limavady Wolfhounds Gaelic Club, for whom he's played for since boyhood. Indeed, his last competitive sporting action before joining Rangers was to set up a winning injury time goal for his elder brother Conor in the Wolfhounds' most recent league match against Ogra Colmcille with a searing run and clever handpass. Such an action, of course, would see him penalised for handball in his new career.

For Aaron, the opportunity to make a full-time career in football is a dream come true.

"I was delighted when Rangers made an approach, it's an opportunity to make a career as a full-time professional footballer," he said.

"When you see Rangers' facilities and their coaches, it's a fantastic set-up. I'd been on trial with a few other teams — Bradford, Burnley and Aberdeen — but the Rangers set-up was the best.

"Bradford actually put a deal on the table, they offered a contract straight away. I was over three times with Burnley and they were in the process of bringing me over again when Rangers moved in between times. They moved very quickly once they had made their decision."

Aaron's move to professional football has come as a result of a lot of hard work over the years with Limavady Youths, Newtown Youths, Foyle Harps and Ballymena United — and Limavady and Ballymena are both set to get a financial boost for the work they invested in his development.

"I've always wanted to be a professional footballer. It's been hard at times to combine keeping up school work, with going for trials and training," said Aaron.

"I'm really looking forward to training full-time. It's going to be a big change leaving home and moving to a big city but I'm looking forward to that as well."

As for Gaelic football, the teenager is sad to leave his first love behind. "I'll miss the Gaelic, of course. I wanted to play senior football for my club before I left and I'm glad I got the chance," he added.

Aaron's proud father Michael explained how the switch to Glasgow came about.

"It turns out Rangers had been watching him since he was 12, on and off. They actually made the approach to him around Christmas at Seaview after a game between Ballymena United reserves and Crusaders," he said.

"We'd heard that they had looked at him at the Milk Cup, but hearing something and having a concrete offer are two different things.

"The Milk Cup is a great tournament. Aaron played in it at both junior and premier level. He actually captained his county one year and it was real opportunity for Aaron to impress scouts over the years. He also played in the Foyle Cup in Derry and scouts come and watch those tournaments."

Michael took every step to make sure his son had the best opportunity to make the most of his talent.

"When he was 13 there were enough men who told me Aaron would be good enough, and after that I decided that I would give him the best chance possible. I got Ollie Cummings to train him on the fitness aspect and I'd like to give a big thanks to Ollie for his help," he said.

Aaron won't be the only player with a GAA background in the Rangers reserve and Under-19 squads he'll initially be joining.

"Rangers is full of lads who have played Gaelic: there are five in the squad that Aaron's joining, three Dublin fellas and one from Omagh, and three or four of the Rangers scouts had Celtic tattoos on them," said Michael.

"At this level it's all about professionalism."

It's a testament to how well things have moved on that Michael is able to say that the reaction to Aaron's move has been universally positive.

"The reaction locally has been brilliant, from all sides of the community. We have had so many phone calls wishing him well.

"We had a going away party for Aaron at the weekend and the turnout was mixed right down the middle. Everybody is very proud of him," he said.

Fair play to the lad - Prob took alot of courage to make that decision! Hope he makes it!

Exactly.  Great to read news items like this.  I wonder how some of the more diehard Rangers fans feel about this?  Anything that can help change the sectarianism in the Old Firm is a step in the right direction.

"So you have to be a catholic, speak Irish, and follow GAA to be considered Irish?" - In my opinion, you are not really considered as much of a "true Irishman" if you do not meet the broad citeria that I originally listed.  That is, you are not meant to feel wholly included if you are not catholic, follow GAA etc.  I am not saying this to wind you up, it is simply how I and, I'm failry sure, others like me feel.

Wow.  I dont know what to say.  Other than thats the biggest load of rubbish I have read in some time.

Why do you think then that so many Ulster protestants do not accept / feel comfortable being called Irish?

I'm sorry I read that while I was working, I misread it as I thought it was your opinion you didn't consider someone to be Irish unless they met the criteria that you stated above.  My apologies.