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Top of the table clash next week. A win for Monaghan would give us a bit of breathing space at the top.

Before the start of the league i would have thought of this game as one of our easier ones and a great chance to pick up points to maintain Division 2 status. As it turns out, both teams are in a position to push for promotion. Kildare have already played Cork, so on paper, probably have their toughest game behind them - and they were unlucky to come out of that with only one point.

I'm happy we have this one in Clones and i'd be confident that if we get another good game out of McManus, Hughes and Lennon like today, with a better performance up front, we should be able to take points here too.

No, it's not a typo. You couldn't make this up. 

Alliance select Europe candidate  

The Alliance Party has selected North Down deputy mayor Ian Parsley as its candidate for the European election.

Mr Parsley was elected to North Down Borough Council in 2005, and is currently Alliance economy spokesman.

Speaking after his selection he said his campaign would be about "making Europe work" for the people of NI.

"The many thousands of people across Northern Ireland who are disenchanted with local politics will find voice with this campaign," he said.

"At this time of educational uncertainty, economic decline and environmental chaos, it is time for everyone who is ambitious for Northern Ireland to unite and speak with one voice, and to make that voice heard in the most powerful parliament in the world."

The election takes place on 4 June.

www.hoganstand.com has had a bit of a spring clean. Looks a bit fresher, although it will take a while to get around the new layout. First impression = not overly impressed with the index for the county pages. Took a while to find, plus a number of them are represented by outdated sponsor logos.

[Casement will not host Rules game]

Casement will not host Rules game  

Casement Park has missed out in its bid to host the first of this year's International Rules matches between Ireland and Australia on 24 October.

The game will instead be staged at Pairc na nGael in Limerick.

The GAA's Central Council met last weekend and discussed other applications from Kingspan Breffni Park and Portlaoise, as well as Casement.

The second International Rules Test will be played at Croke Park on Saturday 31 October.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7894935.stm

Casement is far from perfect, but i feel it would have been good for Belfast to get this game.

The match programme for today's game in Clones was €3. The programme for the match with Fermanagh in Enniskillen 2 weeks ago was £2 or €2. The programmes are almost identical. They're both crap. Half of them is advertisements, there's a page of ground regulations and a page outlining the new rules - both of these will be in every programme - these programmes must cost next to nothing to produce and print (and the advertisements mean they're probably paid for before they're sold at all).

Now i'll always buy a programme at a match, just for the teamsheets, but i think €3 is a bit much when there's nothing worth reading in them.

I was wondering what price they are around the rest of the country for the league and if any of them are any better.

['Arrogant' farmer banned over tractor traffic jam]

Not before time! I'd say most drivers on here can relate to this one...

'Arrogant' farmer banned over tractor traffic jam
Wednesday, 11 February 2009

An "arrogant" farmer who held up a convoy of 20 cars as he drove his tractor home from a cattle mart has been banned for driving for one year.

In what could be an historic prosecution, the farmer, who was called "arrogant and individualistic" by a District Court judge, was told: "You don't have the right to force other people to drive at 15 miles per hour."

Michael Nevin (51) from Glenhest, Newport, Co Mayo, insisted that he had pulled over to allow traffic to overtake at the earliest opportunity when returning home from a mart on July 19 last, but gardai pursuing him said that he had passed six possible places before finally pulling in.

Mr Nevin, who plans to appeal his ban, was stopped for failing to pull over for traffic on his return from Balla mart. When stopped by gardai, he was issued with a fine which he refused to pay.

In court last Wednesday Mr Nevin told Judge Mary Devins that he had pulled over to allow traffic overtake him at the earliest point possible. However Gda John Daly insisted that Mr Nevin had passed six possible places before finally pulling-in.

Counsel for the accused argued that Mr Nevin -- an experienced Bus Eireann driver -- had an impeccable driving record and his livelihood would be compromised by a conviction under the Road Traffic Act.

However, Judge Devins convicted him, observing that Gda Daly "may be making history". She also remarked that Mr Nevin's "arrogance" was palpable in the courtroom.

Judge Devins said: "He didn't pull in and there were six places that he could have done so. I'm going to accept the evidence of the garda."

She convicted him under Section 51a of the Road Traffic Act which stipulates that due care and consideration for others must be exercised while driving.

Last night, the chairman of Mayo Irish Farmers Association, Martin Gavin, called on Mayo County Council to create the proper roadside infrastructure for members who, due to the closure of many marts, have been forced to drive long distances to sell their stock.

A council spokesman, however, said it does not have the resources to carry out such work, while the Road Safety Authority declined to comment on the matter, stating the issue was outside its remit.

The IFA's Martin Gavin said that he had "total sympathy" for the farmer.

"This issue is a major concern for farmers since an awful lot of marts around Mayo are closed down, so the infrastructure is not in place and they are forced to drive to Balla mart.

"If you are driving along the road and see some place -- you are thinking on your feet -- and you are also conscious of not slowing down too much. I have total sympathy for this man," said Mr Gavin.

Monaghan will be looking for another win here at home. Another two points would leave us a lot closer to at least securing Division 2 status. We've had a couple of games against Wexford in recent years. A couple of years we played them in a game in the qualifiers in Clones in terrible weather. Wexford won in a terrible low scoring game. It was one of the porrest games i've ever seen Monaghan play.

Confidence should be up following last week's win in Enniskillen. Let's give some of the new boys a run out for a decent spell.

What's the story with Wexford? Still set to be missing key players? They're very hard to call after last year's excellent Championship run and then last week's second half collapse. A scoreline like Armagh put in would indicate shaky defence.

[Pope attacks blurring of gender]

Seriously - how out of touch can he be?

Pope attacks blurring of gender 

Pope Benedict has called for "an ecology of the human being"

Pope Benedict XVI has said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction.

He explained that defending God's creation was not limited to saving the environment, but also about protecting man from self-destruction.

The Pope was delivering his end-of-year address to senior Vatican staff.

His words, later released to the media, emphasised his rejection of gender theory.

Speaking on Monday, Pope Benedict XVI warned that gender theory blurred the distinction between male and female and could thus lead to the "self-destruction" of the human race.

Gender theory

Gender theory explores sexual orientation, the roles assigned by society to individuals according to their gender, and how people perceive their biological identity.   Rainforests deserve, yes, our protection, but the human being ... does not deserve it less

Gay and transsexual groups, particularly in the United States, promote it as a key to understanding and tolerance, but the Pope disagreed.

When the Roman Catholic Church defends God's Creation, "it does not only defend the earth, water and the air... but (it) also protects man from his own destruction," he said.

"Rainforests deserve, yes, our protection, but the human being ... does not deserve it less," the pontiff said.

It is not "out-of-date metaphysics" to "speak of human nature as 'man' or woman'", he told scores of prelates gathered in the Vatican's sumptuous Clementine Hall.

"We need something like human ecology, meant in the right way."

The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage. It teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are.

Rev Sharon Ferguson, chief executive of Britain's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, described the Pope's remarks as "totally irresponsible and unacceptable".

"When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way," she said.

'Rock festival'

The pope uses his traditional end-of-year speech to offer his Christmas greetings and say a few words about what he considers the important issues of the day.

This year, Pope Benedict also deplored the tendency to depict the Catholic church's World Youth Day, which he attended in Sydney earlier this year, as mere spectacle.

He stressed that the event should not be considered a "variant of modern youth culture, as a kind of ecclesiastical rock festival with the Pope as the star," but as the fruition of a "long exterior and interior path".

It was a farce last year and looks like it could be the same this year. Surely now its time for their county board to throw out this foolish tradition and appoint a captain on merit(?)

Three in contention for Kerry captaincy

Kerry's Darren O'Sullivan
01 December 2008


Darren O'Sullivan, Sean O'Sullivan and Donncha Walsh are all in contention to succeed Paul Galvin as Kerry football captain next season.

It follows Mid Kerry's victory over Kerins O'Rahilly's in the Kerry SFC final replay on Sunday. And as county champions, the divisional side will have the right to nominate next year's captain.

The captaincy issue could pose a dilemma for new Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, however, given that the trio all struggled to nail down regular starting places under former boss Pat O'Shea.

Whoever is handed the captaincy, he will hope for better luck than Paul Galvin, who missed most of last season's championship campaign through suspension.

There's no sign of the 'season tickets' that were on sale last year for the league, despite the fact that they were apparently a success...

Anyone heard anything? I thought they were out by this stage last year.

[Stephen Green of pressure group Christian Voice]

This is worth a read, if only for the hilarity of the bit in bold...

'No God' slogans for city's buses 

Bendy-buses with the slogan "There's probably no God" could soon be running on the streets of London.

The atheist posters are the idea of the British Humanist Association (BHA) and have been supported by prominent atheist Professor Richard Dawkins.

The BHA planned only to raise £5,500, which was to be matched by Professor Dawkins, but it has now raised more than £36,000 of its own accord.

It aims to have two sets of 30 buses carrying the signs for four weeks.

The complete slogan reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."

As the campaign has raised more than anticipated, it will also have posters on the inside of buses as well.

The BHA is also considering extending the campaign to cities including Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Professor Dawkins said: "Religion is accustomed to getting a free ride - automatic tax breaks, unearned respect and the right not to be offended, the right to brainwash children.

This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion

"Even on the buses, nobody thinks twice when they see a religious slogan plastered across the side.

"This campaign to put alternative slogans on London buses will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion."

Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the BHA, said: "We see so many posters advertising salvation through Jesus or threatening us with eternal damnation, that I feel sure that a bus advert like this will be welcomed as a breath of fresh air.

"If it raises a smile as well as making people think, so much the better."

But Stephen Green of pressure group Christian Voice said: "Bendy-buses, like atheism, are a danger to the public at large.

Stephen Green of pressure group Christian Voice 

"I should be surprised if a quasi-religious advertising campaign like this did not attract graffiti.

"People don't like being preached at. Sometimes it does them good, but they still don't like it."

However the Methodist Church said it thanked Professor Dawkins for encouraging a "continued interest in God".

Spirituality and discipleship officer Rev Jenny Ellis said: "This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life."

She added: "Christianity is for people who aren't afraid to think about life and meaning."

The buses with the slogans will run in Westminster from January.

Meant to post this earlier, but i was travelling back home on Saturday from the game in Ballybofey, going through Aughnacloy turning right off the main street heading for Emyvale when some idiot ran up almost in front of the car to grab and break off a car flag. He was a classy individual, with big bottle of WKD in hand (originally i feared he was going to smash the bottle on the windscreen).
He and a group of 'mates' - probably about 20 of them, half wearing Rangers tops - were drinking on the side of the road, outside a bus.

I always though Aughnacloy would have been pretty safe (i.e. i wouldn't have any flags out going through Portadown, or many other places), and i was driving in a convoy of Monaghan cars returning home. Anyone else run into these guys?

From The Belfast Telegraph...

MPs unite to fight law that will make abortions available in Northern Ireland

By Sam Lister
Thursday, 24 July 2008

Ulster's politicians last night vowed to fight an attempt to force a vote on proposals to extend British abortion laws to Northern Ireland "all the way".

Despite fierce opposition from the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP and the UUP, pro-choice MPs have tabled an amendment on the highly contentious Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that would allow women the right to an abortion on the NHS.

Although it was widely denied, the DUP was understood to have been assured there would not be any changes in the province by Prime Minister Gordon Brown during his successful attempt to woo the party in return for support on the 42-day detention crunch vote.

But London MP Diane Abbott, who is behind the amendment, believes it has a strong chance of winning enough support to become law.

"When it comes to abortion rights, Northern Ireland women are effectively second-class citizens," she said.

"They don't have the same rights as women in England and Wales and Scotland. They even have fewer rights than women in the Republic of Ireland.

"The main way if you want to have an abortion, you have to travel to the UK and get one privately.

"We think we have got a very good chance of getting the amendment through.

"There is a very clear majority in Parliament for a woman's right to choose and we believe there is a majority to extend that to Northern Ireland."

Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland unless it is deemed that the life of the mother is in danger or that the pregnancy would cause serious risk to the woman's physical or mental health.

Pro-choice campaigners point out that rape and incest victims are expected to continue the pregnancy and give birth to the child. Around 50,000 women have travelled to England for the procedure over the last 40 years — with costs now estimated to reach around £2,000 once travel and accommodation has been included.

The new clause would extend the Abortion Act 1967, which means terminations could be carried out up to 24 weeks.

But the amendment could fall at the first hurdle if Speaker Michael Martin chooses not to select it when the bill reaches its next stage in the autumn.

It is the 30th tabled so far with more expected in the first weeks back after summer recess and those chosen tend to have been the subject of discussions in committee or ones which the Government has carried work out on.

The main political parties in Northern Ireland and the four main churches have written to MPs opposing any change in the law.

Yesterday the DUP's Upper Bann MP David Simpson uncovered figures about the scale of teenage abortion in England and Wales.

More than 12,000 terminations were carried out on girls aged 15 or under in the last three years and a further 17,500 carried out on 16 year olds.

He said: "There can be little doubt that a return to Direct Rule would only serve to increase both the pressure for such an extension and the chances of success.

"This move also demonstrates that there is not only no support across the political divide in Northern Ireland for it, but that there is active opposition right across Northern Ireland society.

"Every MP in the House of Commons knows full well that if it were up to local politicians and local people this would not take place.

"I and my party will fight such an attempt all the way through the House if necessary."

Leader of the SDLP Mark Durkan added: "The SDLP, with full democratic conscience, will do everything we can to oppose these plans and will do so on behalf of the people who have elected us and on behalf of those human beings who can be saved if we can effectively curb and hold back the extension of this Act.

"In doing so, we will be seeking to maintain and preserve the fundamental integrity of humanity which goes to the heart of human values and the protection of life. "Furthermore, this issue once again highlights why it is important that the devolution of justice and policing powers take place as soon as possible.

I know there have been some discussions on the topic of abortion here before, but this seems very relevant and timely at the minute. It's a very sensitive area and I know there are a lot of very conservative people on this board (and i don't use that term in a derogatory manner).

I've kept the poll as a simple yes or no option, but what i'm really intrested in is the fact that all 4 of the main parties in the north are united on this. Do they really reflect the views of the population here? If you're 'pro-choice', are you annoyed with the position of your elected representative? Are you surprised with the position of Sinn Féin or the SDLP?

The colour has gone funny on my TV.  Everything is green and purple.  It's a 2 year old BUSH 26". Don't really want have to buy a new one if i don't have to. Anyone got any causes or solutions?

I haven't been following this very closely, but was watching it on the news today. Apparently the drivers are striking because they are only paid £32k and want £36k.  I don't know what truck drivers get paid normally, but i didn't think it was anything close to that!

Am i just way off the mark or does this seem like a very nice wage for a truck driver? Or do they have other responsibilities above and beyond that of a regular truck driver?

And good riddance! Not that we're really getting an improvement.

Poots dropped as culture minister 

Culture Minister Edwin Poots has been dropped from the Stormont Executive and replaced by Gregory Campbell.

Sammy Wilson has been appointed environment minister, while Arlene Foster moves to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The reshuffle of DUP ministers follows the elevation of Peter Robinson to first minister.

Mr Poots leaves the executive after just one year, and amid controversy over his support for the Maze stadium.

The project is widely acknowledged as being unpopular with many DUP assembly members

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, as expected, replaces Mr Robinson as finance minister.

BBC NI political correspondent Martina Purdy said the reshuffle could be viewed "as a promotion for both Mr Dodds and Mrs Foster".

"Mr Wilson's promotion could prove controversial with environmentalists," she continued. 

"Last year, he was given a green wash award by the Young Greens Society at Queen's University, in protest at his pro-nuclear vision."

Jeffrey Donaldson keeps his job as junior minister in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister.

Friends of the Earth expressed its "concern" over Sammy Wilson's appointment as environment minister.

Its Northern Ireland Director John Woods said: "I congratulate Sammy Wilson on his appointment, but I believe it is a mistake.

"Mr Wilson is well known for his sceptical views on climate change.

"It is difficult to see how a minister who holds such views in the face of overwhelming evidence could be a credible protector of our environment."

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay said the DUP's decision to appoint Sammy Wilson as environment minister was "grossly irresponsible" and that the environment would suffer as a result.

Commenting on the overall reshuffle, Traditional Unionist leader Jim Allister MEP said: "While the DUP needs a reshuffle of policy more than a change of personnel, there are aspects of this reshuffle which require comment.

  How can they possible justify juggling these varying roles while trying to achieve the best possible outcome for the people of Northern Ireland?

UUP statement

"The increase in triple mandates is bad news for the quality and constancy of the representation of unionism at Westminster. In a year we have moved from three double-jobbing MPs serving also as ministers to five.

"We have recently seen DUP MPs absent from key votes in the Commons on the Lisbon Treaty and the Embryology Bill. No-one can adequately do two, never mind three jobs - MP, MLA and minister."

In a statement, the Ulster Unionist Party similarly said: "This poses the question, how can they (the DUP's ministers) possibly attempt to carry out these specific roles to the best of their ability?

"How can they possible justify juggling these varying roles while trying to achieve the best possible outcome for the people of Northern Ireland? People can't be in two places at once."

So there's the maze gone anyway.  And i wouldn't be holding out any hope for the Irish Language Act.

Students may be an easy target.  And everyone slags the students, even though most have been there. At the risk of sounding a lot older than i am however, it really wasn't like this in my day!

I know it's long, but it's worth a read.

The never ending frat parties that make life hell for the neighbours 
Suzanne Breen Northern Editor 

THEY showed him no respect in life but his wife hoped that, in death, it might be different. She was wrong.

A group of students in Belfast's university area drank, shouted and urinated in the street as Gerard Morgan's coffin was carried into the house.

"They'd been partying non-stop from the day before, " says Sheila Morgan. "The noise and antics as I waked my husband was horrendous. Neighbours told them Gerard had been killed in an accident at work and to be respectful. They paid no heed.

"It took two police visits to quieten them.

The morning of the funeral police had to sit outside my door to ensure the coffin could leave with dignity." Two months later, Sheila fights back tears recalling the scene. "Students here put us through hell, " she says.

"Gerard was secretary of the residents' group.

He was threatened with a hurling stick for complaining about noise.

"Other residents have been badly beaten.

The students are drunk every night of the week. Partying continues to 5am. It's impossible to sleep. I get out of bed and sit downstairs smoking. When we moved in as a young married couple in the 1980s, there'd be occasional student noise but you'd say 'lads keep the music down' and they'd oblige. Now, you get a brick through the window."

The extent of anti-social behaviour is unbelievable to all but those living in the area, says resident Mary McKillop. She points to dents in her front door which students have tried to kick in, either maliciously or drunkenly in search of a party.

"My garden furniture has been smashed and my plants destroyed. Beer bottles are hurled at my house. Two years ago, I was beaten up. My (then) neighbours were partying at 3am and I went to their door to ask them to stop. A female student came out. She pushed me to the ground and kicked me.

"I was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital. My nerves have never recovered. I'm on medication. My son has moved back home because I'm too frightened to live on my own.

I desperately want out."

Bohemian feel The 'Holyland' area as it's known (because most street names are biblical) runs from Queen's University to the banks of the Lagan.

It was once one of the city's loveliest districts. Its diverse social and religious mix had a bohemian feel even during the war. It was unique by Belfast standards - in one street, an ex-UDR member lived doors from a former republican prisoner.

Until the late 1990s, there was a healthy mix of long-term residents and students. But as Queen's and the University of Ulster expanded, so did the local student population. As student behaviour spiralled out of control, most residents sold up.

Now, 5,000 students are packed into a dozen streets; only around 100 residents remain. Had the paramilitaries driven so many out, there'd be outrage. Most remaining residents are too old or too stubborn to move. Others, like Mary McKillop, are trapped because they aren't owner occupiers who can sell up. Their houses are owned by a private housing association and they can't secure a transfer to an association property elsewhere.

Decent students now won't live in the Holyland, preferring quieter parts of Belfast. It's easy to see why. On Wednesday at 6pm, students have dragged sofas and stereos into their front gardens or the pavement. The music and noise is at night-club levels; hundreds of people are drunk on the streets.

In Carmel Street, 10 male students sit outside a house. Using a three-foot catapult, they fire a water bomb from 40 yards at myself and my six-week old daughter. It splashes the pram. The students cheer as the baby screams. Two passers-by witness the attack and are willing to make statements. I telephone police but, after an hour waiting for them to arrive, give up.

On Thursday night at 11pm, students hurl bricks across Agincourt Avenue. At 2am, four drunken male students drag an interior door from their Palestine Street home onto the pavement. They smash its glass panels.

At 3am, students 'bounce' a car into the middle of Rugby Avenue. A red car with five drunken students nearly collides into it. The police are called.

Student behaviour has deteriorated so much that community safety wardens now walk the streets until 4am. At 3.15am, wardens try to quieten a house party in Cairo Street.

At 3.30am, bins are blazing in the alleyway off Penrose Street. The fire brigade can be out three times a night to extinguish bin and skip fires started by students. At 3.30am, students are dancing on car bonnets in Fitzroy Avenue. This isn't extraordinary -- it's a typical night.

Johanna Kershaw moved to the Holyland from Cork five years ago. "I thought living beside the university would be lovely -- it's the worst slum in Northern Ireland. The students here are completely different from the ones in Cork, and the gardai wouldn't tolerate their behaviour like the PSNI do."

Kershaw's home has been attacked: "Once, students threw a bucket of excrement over the front of the house. Another night, they set plants in my garden on fire. I started screaming. Since September, I've had only 17 nights without partying from my neighbours. I do housework in the middle of the night because I can't sleep.

"Playing football or hurling on the street at 3am is the norm. It's so bad that a family of Zimbabwean asylum seekers moved out. I was walking my wee dogs two nights ago when a male student yelled: 'Get the f**k out of the Holyland you oul' whore and take your rats with you!'" Drunk on the roof Kershaw says the trouble is caused by rural students "going buck mad" at university:

"The area is just a big zoo. One student's father asked if I'd complained about his son.

I said his boy was crazy. 'My son's a pioneer', he said. 'He might be a pioneer when he's down on the farm with you but he's not a pioneer when he's drunk on the roof, shouting and urinating onto the street below at 4am, ' I said. I showed him photographs I'd taken."

The universities have established panels to investigate complaints against students and "discipline" those found guilty. This academic year, the University of Ulster has delivered 37 written and 152 verbal warnings. Queen's have fined 54 students and issued three written warnings.

"It's a PR exercise to ease pressure on the universities, " says resident Alan Murray, himself a mature student at Queen's. "Hundreds of students run riot every night. Only a tiny fraction face disciplinary hearings, and they rightly treat written and verbal warnings as a joke. The fines are minimal - no more than students spend on a night out.

"Expelling students is the only threat they'd take seriously and the universities won't do that. The sons and daughters of the rural rich can attack residents' homes, beat them up, and continue with their degree. If the vicechancellor was beaten up or his house covered in excrement, those responsible wouldn't be let into a lecture theatre again."

Murray is the latest resident leaving. As he packs his bags on a sunny afternoon, drunken students in Rugby Avenue drag a chest of drawers onto a first-floor bay and raise a Tennant's flag over it. Most residents are on tranquilisers or sleeping tablets. "I'm not ashamed to admit I'm one" says Murray.

"And I play a white noise CD to drown out the drunken shouting."

Mother of two, Joanne Fields, was driven out of the area three months ago: "Students smashed my windows and stole my pram. The worst incident was last summer when a drunk student forced his way past me into the house at 10pm. He walked up the stairs and climbed into my daughter's bed. I'd never seen him before in my life.

"I screamed at him to get out and dialled 999. The police came and drove him away.

They didn't arrange to take a written statement from me or a neighbour who witnessed it. When I phoned to see if the student had been charged, the police said, 'oh, usually this sort of thing doesn't happen again'. They don't take residents seriously. We're treated like dirt."

PSNI are 'spineless' The vast majority of students are nationalist and some residents attribute PSNI inaction to a desire not to alienate young middle-class Catholics. An officer who works elsewhere in the city has a different perspective: "My colleagues in south Belfast are spineless.

"They have certain stereotypes. Anti-social behaviour is associated with a chav in tracksuit bottoms. He'll be arrested. A student making people's lives hell is just a high-spirited guy who needs a light scolding."

Brian Gillen, who served 10 years in Long Kesh as a republican prisoner, lived in the Holyland after release. He says there was no trouble from Protestant students but Catholic students, post-peace process, became increasingly sectarian and contemptuous: "You'd try to sleep against a backdrop of shouts of 'Up the Ra'.

"Anyone challenging them was deemed a Protestant and got a mouthful of sectarian abuse. They weren't genuine republicansjust cowardly arseholes. One night, students in the house next door to me were partying at 5am.

"My child couldn't sleep. I asked them to turn it down. 'F**k off you Orange bastard!'

one told me as the 'Boys of the Old Brigade' blasted from their stereo. 'I'll give you the 'Boys of the Old Brigade'.' I said. I got laid into them." Gillen has also moved out: "I'm one of the lucky ones. My heart goes out to people still left there. It's only going to get worse."

http://www.tribune.ie/article.tvt?_scope=TribuneFTF&id=118933&SUBCAT=&SUBCATNAME=&DT=01/06/2008%2000:00:00&keywords=holyland&FC

Glad i never had the misfortune to live in the Holylands. Funny thing is, some of these people likely post on here. Disgraceful.

Well after today, the contenders are starting to take shape.  In no particular order:

Monaghan
Meath
Donegal
Roscommon
Longford
Kildare

Without the Division 4 teams, there are few handy games - and there's another few tough teams likely to be thrown in before we reach provincial final stage.

From a Monaghan point of view, Donegal and Meath would be the two to avoid. Roscommon would be perceived as the easiest draw at this stage i suppose, but you can never tell. Kildare didn't impress too much either. 

When will the actual draw be made? Anyone got any preferences as to who they'd like to meet.

With the leagues now over, all roads point to Enniskillen - this day 4 weeks.

No doubt this will be a tight game.  Very difficult to judge Fermanagh on today's performance - some great play, but some very sloppy mistakes.  Leaked 3 goals today and the keeper, despite a great double penalty save, looked very nervous under the high ball.  Vinny Corey at FF could cause havoc here.

Both teams now having to bounce back after a disappointing result as well.  Should make for an intriguing contest.

[Tommy Murphy counties back in qualifiers]

Has this been posted?  I couldn't see it anywhere.

Tommy Murphy counties back in qualifiers
Apr 13, 2008

Saturday, April 12.

A motion from Wicklow club An Tochar has been overwhelming passed by GAA delegates at Congress 2008 in Sligo this afternoon.

Delegates unquestionably voted in favour of a return to the old Qualifier system for the All-Ireland Football Senior Championship which sees Division 4 (Tommy Murphy Cup) teams make a return in 2009 to the Qualifier series.

Also Wexford's Glynn/Barntown were successful in ensuring that home and away advantage applies to the first round of the All-Ireland Qualifers.

The South-East club moved a motion which now allows that 'where a team is drawn away for the second year running in the first round of the All-Ireland Qualifers, that team receive home advantage. In the event of both teams having been drawn away the previous year, toss for home advantage.'


MOTION 24 - Passed