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Niamh O'Brien, who was the lead performer in 'Lord of the Dance' and the wife of Riverdance star Michael Flatley, has died at the age of 52.

1-1 draw and deserved no more.

Poor start to the 2nd half 1-1

Penalty to ROI not sure why the ref was going to give a corner kick instead.  Scored, 1-0 ln front.

St Brigids haven't gone away.
2-3 to 5 down c 20 mins.
Won 3-22 to 2-8

Strokestown was still leading 2-6 to 0-11 on 38 minutes some finish to the game by Brigids showing why they have reached two recent All-Ireland finals and two finals they could have won.

The football gods can be just sometimes.

The Mayo IFC QF repay between Islandeady and Kiltane went to extra time AGAIN but this time Islandeady had the 20 minutes the would have expected to have the last day against 13 men. They totally dominated the additional 20 minutes out scoring them 1-06 to 0-01.

Looks like justice done in that one alright

Mayo Senior semi-final

Garrymore 2-16 Belmullet 2-15 AET.  First final for Garrymore since 1982.

[You also had Iceman with his "a few bad apples" takes]

Was that the clerical abuse thread? he was absolutely pigheaded stubborn on that one.

I assume so.

Parents were to blame as much/more so was Tony's take on things.

You also had Iceman with his "a few bad apples" takes rather than accept it as a systemic and institutional issue.

Was it him or another poster than claimed he took pleasure in killing his neighbours family pets whenever they wandered into his garden.

Epic game in the Roscommon senior championship semi-final today. Pearses 5-22 Boyle 2-27 after extra-time.  Deep into injury time in normal time Donie Smith scored a two-pointer to put Boyle two in front but outrageous effort by Declan Kenny from 50 yards plus out with the last play brought the game into extra time.

One of those contests that shows we need no further changes to the rules.

Elsewhere in Mayo senior championship Castlebar into the final after beating Breaffy 1-16 to 0-14.

Headline of the day All-Ireland champions Dingle are out.   Spa 1-17 Dingle 1-11

[New Galway senior football manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice says the quality of the squad was the over-riding reason he stepped back into senior inter-county management after an eight-year absence.]

New Galway senior football manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice says the quality of the squad was the over-riding reason he stepped back into senior inter-county management after an eight-year absence.

Paul Bellew (chairman) reached out the weekend after Pádraic stepped down," he said.
"I've had these calls over the last couple years, but it has never gone beyond a phone call. My head was turned this time, and I said maybe, out of curiosity, I'd explore it.
"I had met Paul a few times, we spoke a few times and there was a good bit of balancing on my side of the house to see if I could make it happen.
"From there I interviewed with the selection committee and it moved fast."


My family, the logistical side of things and my day job as principal in Dingle, and I felt I could organise that side of things," he explained.
"The Kerry side of things was a big consideration for me. Even up to a few weeks ago I never thought I'd be managing against Kerry but I will have to get through that part.

"The final part was the football side and that was very exciting. There is a good bit of potential and for me that pulled me the hardest towards it."


I feel I'm young enough and I have good energy to go at it," he added.

"My kids are at a good age and here I am."
Pointing to a team that won four Connacht titles in a row and also contested two All-Ireland finals in recent times, the new Galway manager said there was a serious leadership cohort within the panel.

"They lost two All Ireland finals narrowly, a lot of lads are in their prime and there is an emerging group coming too," Fitzmaurice said.
"Outside of the squad are more players there too. Galway has a huge tradition and to get to work with that group is exciting

Pádraic did a great job.
"He got them really close to the All-Ireland – a small bit of luck and they'd have got over the line.
"I know myself from my own stint in Kerry that regardless of the respect or meas that players have for a manager, a fresh approach and challenge can be very good thing.
"I hope I'll bring that freshness and energy and I'm looking forward to getting to know the lads and seeing what makes them tick.
"I feel I've learned a lot since I was Kerry manager. We have two kids, my dad has passed away, my wife's mother has passed away and I have learned a lot in my day job as school principal

Pádraic has put Galway in that conversation for the All-Ireland so it is no shock for me to be saying that they are in contention and sure what's going on over county bounds [Mayo] will be a huge motivation for every Galway person and every other team.

As the Louth lads say, 'why not us?'
"A lot of teams will be thinking that way."

There's a bit of organisation there, but we have a half day Friday in school and that will make it a bit easier. I have a very understanding deputy principal, Elaine, who will support me.
"Elaine is Brian Ó Beaglaoich's mom and we are doing well at the moment," he joked. "When it comes to summertime it might be more interesting!
"But I have great support in school, there is great community support from the parents and that will all be fine.
"I will make sure I drop no balls in work or Lough George. It's going to be busy but I feel I have energy."

The league game against Kerry will be fine but the ultimate test would be if we ever played Kerry in an All Ireland semi-final or final above in Croke Park.

"Still, a lot of former Kerry managers have gone beyond county bounds, I'm not the first and it gives me a bit of comfort."

Remains of 10 infants discovered in Tuam yesterday, so far have uncovered the remains of 109 infants in total.

Former boxer Ray Close, 57.

He definitely beat Eubank that night! God love the man, seemed like a great fella, brain injury mentioned?

In a care home the last number of years with his brain injury

Eubank and Close were due to meet for a third time in 1995 but the fight was abandoned after Close had his boxing licence revoked by the British Boxing Board of Control following the results of a brain scan.

Eubank subsequently fought Dubliner Steve Collins in Millstreet in Cork instead, losing his title in a famous contest.

Mark Kennedy v Yugoslavia
Alan McLoughlin v NI
Kevin Sheedy v England
Jason McAteer v Netherlands (away)
Matt Holland v Cameroon

Was it Festy  who scored a cracker v Scotland a couple of  years back? It was a clinker

Ronnie Whelan goal v USSR

Have Connacht Club draws been done yet?

Connacht GAA have finally posted the draws, luck of the draw for the Mayo Senior Winner

Ronaldo has left the Portuguese squad after he sat on the bench for the last nations league game and was apparently told he would be on the bench again for tomorrow's game.

In a Trump like style/statement he said.

"In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself".

Is that him retired now?

Can imagine so at international level. Won't retire altogether until he scores 1000 goals on 979 at the moment.

Ronaldo has left the Portuguese squad after he sat on the bench for the last nations league game and was apparently told he would be on the bench again for tomorrow's game.

In a Trump like style/statement he said.

"In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself".