Messages

And so it continues

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/paddy-jacksons-dad-secures-judgment-in-rugby-rape-trial-libel-action-38334523.html

Good to see Mr Jackson not afraid to take on the Twitter libellous posts.

What's not fair enough is attempts to turn any tenuous, misunderstood, badly-researched thought processes into ammunition to use on McIlroy. All because he was brought up in a part of Ireland that doesn't think the same way as other parts.

He can't win with some people. It's brutally unfair.

He's from only place in Ireland to have a May pole!

Like us all he is a product of his background and upbringing which makes him very different from 99% of posters on this Board.

Mary Campbell died yesterday. She was originally from Fermanagh and a student at QUB in early 1980s and worked as a journalist and producer in print, BBC and RTE.

The following is a note from Managing Director of RTÉ News & Current Affairs, Jon Williams to staff:

I write with the saddest of news. As many of you know, this afternoon we learned that our friend, Mary Campbell, passed away this morning. Mary had been poorly for a short time, but typically, hadn't wanted any fuss as she underwent treatment. Mary was a real lady. Charming, with a smile for everyone. She died in the same, understated way she lived her life. 

It's no exaggeration to say Mary was beloved in the newsroom. Originally from Fermanagh, Mary started working as a reporter in the mid 80's  for the Irish News in Belfast and BBC Radio Ulster. She joined RTE as a producer on Radio 1's Pat Kenny show - and was the Producer in Charge of Pat's show and 5/7 Live. She moved to the BBC's Dublin Bureau in 1999 before rejoining RTE as a News Editor in 2005. In 2015 she became a Deputy Programme Editor, editing all the main TV programmes. It was always a reassuring sight to see Mary in the editor's chair: calm, organised and clear.  A producer to the last, in recent weeks she'd begun to tell her friends and family about the extent of her illness and plan for the future. However, the end came faster than anyone thought.

In 2016, Mary recalled being part of RTE's coverage of the Good Friday Agreement for the "We were there. You were there" marketing campaign. She was incredibly proud of being a witness to history. We are incredibly proud she was one of our own.

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

His heads not at it which unfortunately is all too often these days. To think he shot a 61 here 15 years ago

Agree about his psychological issues when the pressure is on but the course being used for the Open is virtually a new design with minimal relation to the course used by many before.

McElroy of the last few years shows how much golf is a game played out in the head and not just the physical skills.

Strange view on the rugby. You "detest everything to do with rugby, and feel no connection or have no interest towards the Ireland rugby team. None whatsoever." yet you're interested and connected enough to want them beat? Just don't watch it or pay any attention to it. It's the same with the women's World Cup there was as many people shouting from the rooftops saying they couldn't stand it as there was people saying they were loving it. It's a weird way to live. Must be the social media age.

Reading Benny's posts it is becoming apparent that his dislike and detestation of cricket and rugby respectively is down to social class or division. He detests that which he believes is something belonging to a different social class from himself and he lacks the confidence to deal with this social division as he perceives it.

[It hardly fills me with pride or gets me all patriotic to see Ireland beat England at cricket.]

We'll never hear the end of this!

Don't worry, Ireland are going to beat them in the Test match at Lords this month!

I'm not sure how I should be feeling about that 

Why's that then? You want England to win?!

I just can't support England at anything. But I mean, it's cricket like. It hardly fills me with pride or gets me all patriotic to see Ireland beat England at cricket.

I'd imagine it's a bit like how some unionists from Co Armagh or Tyrone might have felt seeing their respective county team win the Sam Maguire in the 2000's.

Why not?  It's a game run on a 32 county basis.  Do you feel the same about rugby too?  Quite sad too that you bring your analogy with unionists and GAA into something like this.

I understand it's a 32 county team and all that, but it's cricket. I mean... cricket.

Actually, I lied earlier. I would rather England win than the Ireland rugby team. I detest everything to do with rugby, and feel no connection or have no interest towards the Ireland rugby team. None whatsoever. (However, the cricket thing I wouldn't wish them beaten).

Yes, but it's the only thing I could sort of compare it to. Would I be right in saying that?

What about netball, will you be supporting N.Ireland at the current world cup given two top players from Armagh and Tyrone are playing?

[Writer and barrister Noel Whelan, who died on July 10th, 2019, after a short illness, played an important role as an adviser to the 'Together for Yes' campaign which was central to the introduction of same-sex marriage in 2015.Here is his most-read column on the subject during that campaign.]

Noel Whelan article in Irish Times from 2015 crushes any argument against same sex marriage - essential reading for right wing Catholics and their bedfellows in the DUP.

Writer and barrister Noel Whelan, who died on July 10th, 2019,  after a short illness, played an important role as an adviser to the 'Together for Yes' campaign which was central to the introduction of same-sex marriage in 2015.
Here is his most-read column on the subject during that campaign.

Last week I wrote about two of the posters being used by the No campaign in the marriage referendum. This week I want to talk about their third poster which, although less impactful, is also disingenuous and divisive in its messaging.
This poster states: "We already have civil partnership: don't redefine marriage."
There is a lie at the heart of this poster. The collective "we" do not already have civil partnership. Only people of the same sex can be civil partners. Only people of the opposite sex can marry. Lesbian and gay couples are locked out of marriage.

The message on this poster would be more honest if it said "they" have civil partnership but that would reveal the inequality and sense of "other" that hides beneath the No argument.

Since its introduction civil partnership has provided lesbian and gay couples with a degree of legal recognition and urgently needed protections in taxation, inheritance and other areas but it falls short of full constitutional equality.
Civil partnership lacks the clarity, certainty and constitutional protection that goes with marriage. The distinctions between the two operate at practical, legal and symbolic levels.
Civil partnership is a legal agreement whereas marriage is how our community recognises committed, loving relationships.

As a heterosexual man I have the legal right to marry the person I love. Marrying her is the most important and most rewarding thing I have ever done. There is no way I would trade my marriage for a civil partnership; no one would.
If I introduce my wife to someone, they know what that designation means. It describes precisely her relationship to me and our interconnection in society. It tells our community that we enjoy a long relationship to which we both have committed, intending it to be for life. It communicates what associated rights and connections flow from this.

Insurance companies know what it means if I put the word "wife" on a form. If either of us took a job abroad, the permission to immigrate governing one of us would apply by automatic extension to the other.

If I am ever rushed to hospital and my wife arrives after me nobody will hesitate to grant her appropriate access. If I die before her no one will have to consult local council or church bylaws before deciding whether we can share a grave. After I'm gone there will be no doubt about the appropriate term for her status – she will be a widow, not a former civil partner.

The legal family and constitutional protections that flow from being part of a marriage are also important. The Constitution protects the rights of married people, but not the rights of people in civil partnerships. Gay or lesbian couples (with or without children) are not viewed as families in our laws.

My wife and I, like many couples, lived together for a couple of years before we married. We then chose to move our relationship on from being partners to being married. For half of the time since there was just the two of us, for the second half we have been parents. We have, however, been a family from the moment we were married.

It is precisely because marriage is different from civil partnership that No campaigners are so strongly opposed to sharing it with lesbian and gay couples. The leading No spokespersons are actually the most eloquent exponents of the difference between civil partnership and marriage. The more they speak of how marriage is special as a foundation of our society and of the importance of the constitutional recognition the more they emphasise the distinction.

The marriage bar is one of the few remaining ways in which gay and lesbian couples are discriminated against in our laws. Ending this discrimination matters to them. It matters to them more than we in the heterosexual community have ever realised.

Like all inequalities it is more acutely felt by those who have had the door slammed in their face than it is appreciated by those comfortable on the inside.

At the Fianna Fáil ardfheis last weekend one delegate told of a proud moment when she was canvassing with her father. He was asked at one doorstep whether he had children and, if so, how he could campaign for a Yes vote. He introduced his daughter, told the householder she was gay and said: "I reared six children but I reared no second-class citizens." It illustrates the passionate determination of all parents to see each of their children treated equally.

Having a separate and lesser institution sends a clear message that lesbian and gay people are not equally valued. The exclusion of gays and lesbians from marriage marks them out. It tells them that they are less.
It is a searing, unnecessary, tireless discrimination. It's time "we" joined "them" in voting to end it.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/tyrone-gaa-manager-mickey-harte-apologises-after-players-sing-rebel-song-during-band-parade-38292651.html

Who leaked the video I wonder

Who 'leaked' the one of Barry McElduff?

Looks like the Tyrone lads had a sing-song on the way home.......

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/tyrone-gaa-manager-mickey-harte-apologises-after-players-sing-rebel-song-during-band-parade-38292651.html

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/tyrone-gaa-manager-mickey-harte-apologises-after-players-sing-rebel-song-during-band-parade-38292651.html

The real question when it comes to those wanting to get rid of McGeeney is, who is the stand out candidate that really wants the job and is willing to step in?

McGeeney made the right step in bringing in Jim McCorry and giving him a say in matters on the field.

Anyone going to post what was said?

Agreed poor form from the paper publishing it without giving a name, sensationalises discontent within the county in my view.

tbf Irish news has really gone to the dogs
used to be a quality paper
no longer though

That's a bit of an exaggeration!

Can hardly remember a time when it was a 'quality paper'.

The goalkeeping situation needs addressing before Christmas.  There are surely better options. 

There is definite progress with that Armagh side. We are still forward heavy.  Midfield area has strengthened though with JOB, Grimley, Sheridan and O O'Neill. My concern would be with the half back line.  It's an area that i do not feel we are getting enough out of.

On the question of the goalkeeper, we need to be careful what we wish for. The article below sums up exactly what has happened since Hearty's retirement.  Hughes was fantastic in his first year but a few wobbles later and we all have short memories.  There was no silver bullet to the one point loss on Saturday. Some of our best performers kicked bad wides, we gave away some soft frees, indiscipline caused some to be moved into score-able areas and the referee done us no favours.   Yes, Hughes could have done better on both goals and on kickouts, but presumably if there was a better keeper out there they would be in the fold.  Others like O'Neill and Shields, made some terrible decisions but I don't see so much focus on them. I hope we don't end up doing to Blaine Hughes, what was done to McEvoy. 

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/armagh-closing-in-on-a-solution-to-goalkeeping-riddle-35999066.html

I think we look back at Hearty with rose tinted glasses. He made his fair share of blunders, remember against Donegal in Ballybofey when he was easily knocked and he dropped it into the net as an example. Remember how often he could kick it out over the sideline. It was no golden age.

Again you're alluding to the fact that no 5 may have been justified in his actions and somethiing may have happened beforehand that meant he deserved to be shoved.   Why continue to grasp at straws and not just call it out for what everyone else can see .... a trampish act?

A trampish act? Coming from the home of the trampish acts, that is laughable.

Armagh have had their critics within and outside the county in relation to their tackling.  Last night they answered those critics, tacking has improved and the number of turnovers is evidence of some great work.

Likewise, McGeeney has been criticised for his game plan and the style of play but this championship run has shown that he has evolved the style of play to one which is very effective.  He has never been a lucky manager and that Armagh team would have beaten any of the other four teams playing last night, Offaly, Laois, Westmeath and Clare.  They would have been different games but Armagh are a top ahead of them.  Similarly, given the poor display by Kildare, Armagh would have been fit for them.

Each year we see the qualifier draws produce some level of head scratching when games for TV seem to be drawn. With all the changes to the championship being proposed and based on league performance, surely a the time for seeding the draws is here.  Each qualifier draw should be abandoned and the 8/16 teams ranked according to league position and then automatically have 1 play 8, 2 play 6, etc.  Make the league count even more in the knockout competition and avoid elimination of better teams while weaker move on the the next round on a supposedly random basis.

We now look forward to some very lopsided games in the Super 8s when the top teams separate each other by how much they thump the weak sides thrown up by the qualifier draw.

If it sounds like sour grapes, believe it.