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What do the resident SF stalwarts here think of Michelle O'Neill standing for the Charlie Windsor song?

I wouldn't exactly call myself an SF stalwart   but it's grown up politics.  What's that old saying "Campaign in poetry, govern in prose"

I'm a wee bit surprised (but not shocked) at the number of soccer people in NI who would rather that the Euros didn't come to Belfast than see Casement built, and it has f-all to do with a legacy for soccer, tax payer's money or regional stadia.

Eamonn Holmes

[What if the British Government throw another load of money at it?]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

What if the British Government throw another load of money at it?

That's what is going to happen Jim.  The GAA might come up with another £5mill or so, but after the furore dies down the Brits will stump up.

To assuage Unionist concerns, should there be a mention of the two Corporals?

Were they actually killed in Casement? I know they were dragged in but I assumed they were killed on the waste ground at the front of the PD, not sure tbh

You're right MR2.  Bit of a myth that they were killed in Casement.  They were taken to Casement after "capture" at the funeral.  They were stripped and searched there but were taken to that wee lane opposite the Aggies club behind the PD where they were shot. The famous photo of Fr Reid giving the last rites was taken there, not in Casement.

Off topic but would the Antrim SHC final be worth attending for the experience/atmosphere, heard it can be great fayre, are they days of it in Ballycastle/Dunloy over?

Championship wise Antrim hurling has been dominated by Dunloy, Loughgiel and Cushendall for more than 30 years.  Apart from O'Donovan Rossa of Belfast who won in 1988 and 2004, the other 3 have won every championship since 1986.  That was the year that Ballycastle last won...believe it or not.

Idiotic by McNulty.  First day back at Stormont and the SDLP lose an MLA and a UUP MLA has a go at party colleague Robin Swann!

Who had a go at Swann?

Andy Allen criticised his decision to stand for Westminster and become a minister in the Executive.

Apparently UUP now discussing Swann not running for Westminster.  Major f**k up as Swann was actually moving to run in a UUP target seat.

Idiotic by McNulty.  First day back at Stormont and the SDLP lose an MLA and a UUP MLA has a go at party colleague Robin Swann!

Who had a go at Swann?

Andy Allen criticised his decision to stand for Westminster and become a minister in the Executive.

[Can Mc Nulty just declare as an independent then and go it alone until the next election]

Can Mc Nulty just declare as an independent then and go it alone until the next election?

In fairness, being a county manager is a full time job. Far harder if there is a lot of travel time involved also.

Ideal job for a teacher. 9:00 - 4:00pm. And off during the summer.

Yes, it is the individual who is elected, not the party.

Idiotic by McNulty.  First day back at Stormont and the SDLP lose an MLA and a UUP MLA has a go at party colleague Robin Swann!

UUP confirm they're going into the Executive.  They'll get the 5th choice of ministry. SDLP will be in opposition.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/01/post-brexit-food-labelling-rules-to-appease-dup-will-lead-to-higher-prices-says-industry

Wee Jeff and the boys making food more expensive for everyone in the UK!

At what point does SF/SDLP pull the plug until a border poll is called 

Yes, some of the stuff that CHH and other politicians came out with yesterday flew under the radar and was eye watering in its lack of understanding of the GFA.

Buttering up the DUP, but we'd need to be careful they don't slip some shít under the radar impacting the calling of a border poll

The was a Labour MP interviewed yesterday and she obviously wasn't aware of the UK Governments supposed position in the event of a border poll either.

That was Tulip Siddiq.  She represents Kilburn!

At what point does SF/SDLP pull the plug until a border poll is called 

Yes, some of the stuff that CHH and other politicians came out with yesterday flew under the radar and was eye watering in its lack of understanding of the GFA.

Hard to believe it took two years to come up with that "agreement".  Some checks will be reduced but the rest is very much smoothing out a few rough edges of the Framework.  Luckily for the DUP the vast majority of Unionism doesn't care and wants the Assembly up and running again.  The next big issue is unmasking the DUP's Stakeknife (or knives)