Messages

The draw gets less and less meaningful with each passing year.

This format is years past it's sell by date.

Longer kickouts, limit fistpasses, can't kick backwards, so many players in opposition half etc... So many rules. I think only one rule would probably sort out all or most ills - less players.

It would be almost like the AI Sevens. More space, less or no blanket, longer kicking, skillful players would thrive, man to man would return etc.

Yeah, because with fewer players they'd have to go man for man, just like soccer - not. Fewer players might be a good idea especially at senior level but it is extremely unlikely to bring back man for man marking.

Well if there's more space meaning a rise in tricky skilful playes, they'll need to be marked tightly. With more space they could run riot.

Longer kickouts, limit fistpasses, can't kick backwards, so many players in opposition half etc... So many rules. I think only one rule would probably sort out all or most ills - less players.

It would be almost like the AI Sevens. More space, less or no blanket, longer kicking, skillful players would thrive, man to man would return etc.

Take 4 players off each team. 11 a side. You'll see a totally different game (and no, I don't mean soccer!)

It's the obvious answer.

Belgium are wayyyy overrated.  They've done nothing of note in recent years.

Belgium were beaten 3-1 by Wales at the Euros, but i fancy them to set the record straight in Russia. They will get to the semis and finish third.

Getting to the semis don't mean they'll beat anyone of note. Turkey/Korea 2002, Sweden 1994 anyone?

Belgium are wayyyy overrated.  They've done nothing of note in recent years.

come on lads. Bring home the Bacon.

Can't imagine what the coast is going to be like on Monday. Hopefully no one does anything stupid, like jump off the prom in Salthill..

News interviewing the exasperated Guards and the eejits swimming in the sea and hanging around the prom in Salthill. Asshats.

Some folk trying to be legends via social media. Knobheads.

Ah I liked Sean. Sean's Show was weird but enjoyable. Was really good on Buzzcocks too. Sad to hear. Age 51, that's no age at all.

RIP Sean. Thanks for the laughs.

But it's going to stop at the border - no red warning for the north yet.

Despite Barra Best's "best" attempts BBCNI still taking the line that this is all happening far, far away.

The "Irish Republic" is far, far away for Unionists, as they rarely if ever cross the imaginary border. It might as well be Southern Yemen to them.

Eh? Rarely if ever? You being serious?

There's a hell of a lot of them that would fit that description.

But it's going to stop at the border - no red warning for the north yet.

Despite Barra Best's "best" attempts BBCNI still taking the line that this is all happening far, far away.

The "Irish Republic" is far, far away for Unionists, as they rarely if ever cross the imaginary border. It might as well be Southern Yemen to them.

Schools out... tomorrow.

Another lie in for the lads.

Kilcar beat Glenties by 07-04 in Donegal final.

A point apiece in the second half.

Looks like Ophelia hit Donegal first.

It'll be Garth Brooks dressed up as the Pope.

Will he lock 80,000 in the stadium and play for 5 days and nights?

Time to give up on Casement.

Either expand Armagh or build a new stadium that's handy for all Ulster.

I'm starting to agree with this. I'd scratch the plans for 30k at Casement and redevelop on a much smaller scale, maybe a 10k facility to suit Antrim's needs. I see they are playing their county final in Glenavy they've gone long enough without a decent stadium to cater for club finals and county games. The SF wet dream of a major stadium in west Belfast is costing too much and the longer it goes on the less I want to see it. Even the people in west Belfast don't seem too fussed so pull the plug and give the GAA a lump sum to develop other provincial stadia where they'll be appreciated.

Armagh hosts lots of neutral games, Ulster club, McKenna cup etc. It's handy for a lot of counties, more than Casement would be.

For example, if Tyrone played Monaghan in McKenna final, it would make no sense to take that to Casement. Or if it hosted ulster semis, what's the sense taking the likes of Donegal v Fermanagh there too?

so why Tyrone v Armagh head to Croke or Derry Down head to Croke? Why not keep it up north all the grounds will be used as normal just the finals will be at Casement instead of Clones

If you're referring to 05, I agree, it shouldn't have went to Croke Park.

Is it worth building a 34,000 stadium just to hold an ulster final? It's daft. A provincial ground in Armagh would get far more use (and does) than Casement stuck at one end of the province.