Messages

Ive been on an Irving Welsh buzz recently, what a talented writer.

Anyone know of any other writers in the same vein?

It was Pearse Ogs who used the Athletic grounds as a home venue for many years.

Only 1700 allowed to attend the Armagh/Monaghan game. Very disappointing.

On paper it looks like Armagh v Monaghan and tyrone v Donegal, to make the semi finals, but after last year year ye just can't be sure.
From an Armagh perspective, the primary mission of survival in the top flight has been achieved but this raises expectations with many supporters expecting an Ulster final appearance now.

Remember getting For those about to Rock by AC/DC when i was in primary school and it just blew my mind. 2 years later i heard Horslips, Belfast gigs which had a similar impact. This obsession with music led to me forming a band, releasing albums and seeing plenty of places in the world i'd probably never have seen otherwise.

Recent discoveries, too many to mention really as i kind of have to keep my finger on the pulse of the rock/metal scene so am hearing new stuff all the time. It has led to me being very choosy, which is no bad thing really.

The shutdown of gigs. the pandemic, etc, has had me climbing the walls. I hope things get back to normal sooner rather than later as i need my fix.

Mr. McEntee man of the match. Ref was very poor.

I had to book a flight several weeks ago and later realised ti clashed with the all ireland final. I was gutted at the time but to be honest, now that i know the finalists, i'm not really that bothered.

I think the Dubs will win very easily.

I'm hearing that Morgan is injured. Not sure who else you could put on McManus if true. I really don't know how today will pan out. Hopefully Jamie Clarke is on fire again, it would be a huge shame if today ends up being his last game in an Armagh jersey.

Is this game on tv? I'll be kicking my heels in Berlin with my flight at 10pm. There's plenty of Irish pubs there so hopefully i get a chance to see the game.

Don't think so unfortunately.

Ive watched GAA games at The Lír  irish bar, near Tiergarten, pretty central.
This game is a bit late 8pm (berlin time),  if your flight out of Berlin is at 10pm, you have no chance.
Rte radio 7pm will have to do.

Looks like radio the only option then. Think i'll avoid the result and just watch it when i get home.


As for the game itself, it's too difficult to call, don't rule out a draw.

Is this game on tv? I'll be kicking my heels in Berlin with my flight at 10pm. There's plenty of Irish pubs there so hopefully i get a chance to see the game.

Are Murnin and Oisín O'Neill still involved this year?

Both injured, Hopefully they will be back soon.

Deegan was that bad. Cork should have had 2 black cards in 2nd half alone.
Anyway, the 1st half performance by Armagh was so bad they didn't deserve to win any game. Very disappointing.

Which incidents?  I was to far from the penalty and everything else seemed like a yellow card offence to me.

The penalty was a definite penalty but it was a pull back not a pull down so not a black card. Dunnonif rhats one of the incidents referred to thi. Thought we should have had another penalty. Rafferty was fouled in the box. Definite foul. Happened during an advantage tho and he brought it back for the initial foul seemingly. Whyats the rule in that regard

I concede that the pull back wasn't a black card techinically. Nugent beats his man, is through on goal and gets his togs dragged back, is a yellow card sufficient punishment?

Deegan was that bad. Cork should have had 2 black cards in 2nd half alone.
Anyway, the 1st half performance by Armagh was so bad they didn't deserve to win any game. Very disappointing.

At what age did you go to your first GAA match ?   I was brought up in Armagh city so would have seen a lot of games in the Athletic grounds but never really paid attention to who was playing as i was only interested in getting onto the field to play. The first game that i vividly remember was the National league final of 1982.

Who played in the match? Armagh v Down

Do you remember anything about it ? It was in croke park and the upper hogan was very high.

Who were the main figures involved in introducing you to the GAA ? In p4 we got a male teacher and started doing Football and Hurling in P.E. In p6 i joined the Football team and the teacher/coach had a huge influence on turning me into a decent player.

What was your first match in Croke Park ?  As already stated, league final 1982 but the next visit lasted long in the memory, the club took the u12 team to the 1983 all ireland final, Dublin v Galway. We were on Hill 16 and the atmosphere was toxic, i remember being quite afraid, especially after seeinga Galway fan in the toilets, covered in blood.

Who were the first GAA players you were aware of ?  I have hazy memories of the 1977 final being on tv and the players from those days became household names, so people like Colm McKinstry and Joe Kernan.

Is anyone else in your family as interested in GAA as you are ?  Strangely no, despite my Da having played and later becoming chairman of Ballyhegan.

Did your indoctrination involve any bad-mouthing of soccer  or was it more ecumenical ? Pre p4 everyone i knew played soccer, i joined a soccer team before i joined the local GAA club. Maybe it was different in the town but noone ever said a word about what code you played.

Ard Mhaca

Short sleeves a bit optimistic? No? They'll hardly be playing much football in summer.

Famous last words.