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Yes indeed, Lizzie is on her way, didn't I just make your day.....

The Government has announced Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has accepted an invitation from President Mary McAleese to visit the Republic later this year.

While the dates of the visit and the programme have yet to be announced by Áras an Uachtaráin and Buckingham Palace, it is expected to take place over three days in May.

In a brief statement, the Government said it welcomes the acceptance of the invitation. "The visit will mark a further improvement in the very good relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom."

A number of sources said earlier this month the queen would make a "major" speech in Dublin Castle on relations between the two countries.

The queen will be accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh on the visit, the first to the Republic by a reigning British monarch.

British Ambassador Julian King said the queen and her husband were "very much looking forward to their visit" to Ireland.

"The invitation symbolises how far the relationship between the two countries has come in recent years; the strength of our economic and political ties; and the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland," he said. "The visit will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate this, and build on the rich and varied links that exist across these islands."

The invitation was strongly backed by President McAleese, who leaves office later this year.

The Taoiseach began the process of inviting the queen when he met British prime minister David Cameron in Downing Street last June.

The timing of the visit has been complicated by the wedding of Prince Charles's son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29th, while there has been speculation the queen and Prince Philip will visit Canada in June.

Looking at the TV last weekend it just looked like a bit of shoving and pushing as Kerry tried to line up a possible last minute equaliser but the GAA think otherwise, looks like the 2 buckos are to get a slap on the wrist. From the Examiner:

Word filtered out last night that Marc Ó Sé has been hit with a one-month ban by Croke Park and Dublin full-forward Eoghan O'Gara has also been sanctioned over an incident at the end of last Saturday's thrilling Allianz League clash between the counties at headquarters. O'Gara could be facing a lengthier ban for his alleged headbutt of the Kerry full-back.

Ó Sé's suspension comes in the wake of an eight-week ban for Kingdom attacker Barry John Keane but is likely to be vigorously contested by Kerry officials, who believe Ó Sé was attempting to shrug off the perpetrator, O'Gara.

Ireland: I'd rather shoot myself than live in Cork - By Ben Lyttleton - Examiner - Friday, March 04, 2011

STEPHEN IRELAND is at the centre of another controversy today after allegedly declaring he would rather "shoot himself" than return and live in his native Cork.

In another no-holds-barred interview, this time for a French magazine, the Newcastle player hasalso ruled out a return to the Irish national set-up, declaring the Ireland set-up as "amateurish" and Giovanni Trapattoni as "arrogant".

The midfielder, who has just moved on loan to Newcastle, also hit out Roberto Mancini, Manchester City and Gerard Houllier in the interview, published in So Foot magazine in France today. Ireland revisited the lies he told about his grandmothers having died back in September 2007 and claimed they were "a pretext".

"International teams don't interest me. As it is, a season lasts more than 60 matches, so to go off for three days for a game against Andorra, I've got better things to do," he said.

"When you're Irish, you know very well that you're never going to win the World Cup, and even when I was in the youth teams, it used to piss me off to have to go. Everyone came from Dublin and I was the only one from Cork. I had to take the train on my own, pay for a taxi, there was no hotel, no food, and it was run in a very amateurish way.

"Ireland just reaps what it has sown. We've built buildings just for the sake of it, and at the end of the day no-one lives inside them. It costs a huge amount of money and no-one can pay it back. But I don't care about Ireland. I really don't know whether I will ever go back there one day. I'd rather shoot myself than live in Cork. I prefer Los Angeles."

Ireland also laid into coach Trapattoni, saying: "I have never seen anyone so arrogant. I met him once, he was on the phone every two minutes and he left me hanging around in this office for a quarter of an hour.

"In the end, he said, 'If you want to come and play, fine, if you don't, no problem'. He did that in reality just so the media would leave him alone."

Ireland, who met with a journalist from So Foot magazine, then turned his anger on City and the manner in which he was pushed out of the club. "Mancini never liked me, he wanted his own players, and that's fair enough. But he's gone too far, he's got rid of everyone, even the cook left. The family club I spent nine years with does not exist any more. What's going to happen when Mancini leaves? Will he take the 50 people he brought in with him? And ever since he's been there, City's matches have become as boring as hell. The club has lost its soul."

Last summer, Ireland moved to Aston Villa — only because City stopped him talking to Manchester United and Liverpool, he claimed — but one day after he signed, coach Martin O'Neill resigned from his position, leaving Ireland with a coach, Houllier, who had not chosen him.

"After 15 matches on the bench, Houllier told me to stay at home," he explained. "I would train all week and on Friday he would say, 'It's not worth coming, you're not in the team'. That's even though I was best player in training, that didn't seem to matter to him. But I have nothing against Houllier, after all, he wasn't the one who chose me."

Ireland has moved to Newcastle for the rest of the season but his comeback from injury this weekend could be put on hold after Magpies boss Alan Pardew yesterday confirmed Ireland was suffering from a thigh strain.

"We're a little concerned about him," Pardew said. "You get that when you come back from lay-offs, it's something we'll police between now and Saturday."

It would sicken your hole...

DAVID DRUMM earned more than €10 million during his period as chief executive of Anglo Irish Bank but paid less than €10,000 in income tax.

Documents filed in Boston as part of Mr Drumm's bankruptcy application there show he received income tax rebates in 2004, 2005 and 2006, when he was one of the most highly paid bankers in Ireland.

In 2007 Mr Drumm was paid €3.27 million and was the highest paid chief executive of an Irish bank. However, he paid just €2,216.94 in income tax, according to a Revenue document filed in Boston.

How it was that Mr Drumm essentially paid no income tax during his period at the helm of the bank is not known. The sudden drop in his tax bill coincides with his being appointed to the Anglo board.

Mr Drumm paid €87,872 in income tax in 2002 and €135,451.35 in income tax in 2003, the last year he was subjected to a significant tax bill. It is not known how much he earned in these years as his income was not publicly disclosed until he joined the Anglo board.

Mr Drumm was co-opted onto the Anglo board in September 2004. At the time he was a senior executive in the bank. He received a tax rebate that year of €19,350. His 2004 income is not known.

He was appointed chief executive in January 2005 and earned €2.35 million that year, according to the bank's 2005 annual report. He received an income tax rebate of €7,598.78, according to the Revenue document filed in Boston.

The following year Mr Drumm earned €3 million and received an income tax rebate of €4,950.84. In 2008 he earned €2.13 million and paid €39,625 in income tax. He resigned as chief executive in December 2008 and the bank was nationalised the following month.

The Revenue has made a submission to the court in Boston where Mr Drumm has filed for bankruptcy stating that the former chief executive still owes €716 in income tax from 2008, and €121 in interest. As part of the submission from the Collector General's insolvency unit, a statement of account showing past income tax liabilities and payments by Mr Drumm was submitted, showing the figures quoted above.

A spokewoman for the bank had no comment when asked if the bank's executive directors had a tax avoidance structure. Mr Drumm, who returned from working in the bank's US offices in 2003, appears to have become involved in aggressive tax planning at about the same time he joined the board. He could not be contacted. The Revenue would not comment.

I live in North Dublin (for work reasons for nearly the last year) and am a registered voter but I have not had one caller to the door nor 1 leaflet in the mail giving me one bit of advise on the runners in Dublin North.

And besides their particularly ugly mug shots up on every fecking pole I have no idea who they are, what they stand for or who to vote for besides following the party line.

How the feck do they expect us to vote them into a €100k minimum a year jobs.

I know my family in Kerry and the outlaws-to-be in Monaghan have also seen very little activity locally.

Whats it like in the rest of the country, are they hitting the doorsteps or just when there is media around?

would €10 cost you €38...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0215/coin.html

[South Kerry]

This is going to be longwinded but this is how the Kerry Club Scene breaks down:  (Open to corrections by others and AZ  )

Kerry is made up of 10 GAA Divisions or Districts which are based on geographical locations within the county, with 61 football Clubs some of whom may field A, B or C teams, while some of those 61 also play hurling as well and there are also 9 unique hurling clubs but I'll only focus on the football.

There are Championships and Leagues run by the elected County Board which are classed as County Competitions (but each Divisional or District will have its own elected Board who will run seperate competitions within its division, more on that later.)

The Divisions break out as follows, with each of their club teams and their 2011 County rankings which were determined many years ago while there has been many relegations and promotions since.

South Kerry   
St Michael/Foilmore   Senior  (Ballinskelligs's St Michael and Foilmore joined forces about 20 years ago due to neither team being able to field teams, unusual in that they are not from neighbouring parishes or even close by)
Sneem/Derrynane   Inter (Joined forces in 2008 as Derrynane could not field a team, have been joined underage for years)
Waterville   Inter
St Mary's   Inter
Skellig Rangers   Inter
Valentia   Junior
Dromid   Junior
Renard   Novice
      
Kenmare District   
Kenmare   Junior
Tuosist   Junior
Kilgarvan   Novice
Templenoe   Novice
      
Mid Kerry   
Laune Rangers   Senior
Milltown/Castlemaine   Inter (joined in the 1990's)
Keel   Inter
Glenbeigh/Glencar   Junior
Beaufort   Junior
Cromane   Junior
      
West Kerry   
Dingle   Senior
An Ghaeltacht   Inter
Castlegregory   Inter
Annascaul   Inter
Lispole   Novice
   
East Kerry   
Legion   Senior
Kilcummin   Senior
Dr Crokes   Senior
Gneeveguilla   Senior
Rathmore   Senior
Spa   Inter
Glenflesk   Inter
Firies   
Junior
Fossa   Novice
Listry   Novice
Scartaglin   Novice
      
St Kierans   
Castleisland Desmonds   Inter
Currow   Inter
Ballymacelligot   Junior
Cordal   Junior
Brosna   Novice
      
St Brendans
Ardfert   Senior
St Pats Blennerville   Junior
Churchill   Junior
Na Gaeil   Junior
      
Shannon Rangers
Tarbert   Junior
Ballyduff   Junior
Asdee   Novice
Ballylongford   Novice
Ballydonoghue   Novice
Beale   Novice
      
Feale Rangers
Listowel Emmets   Inter
Finuge   Inter
Duagh   Junior
Knocknagoshel    Novice
Moyvane   Novice
St Senans   Only Play in Divisional competions
Clonmacon   Only Play in Divisional competions
Gale Rangers Only Play in Divisional competions
Knockanure   Only Play in Divisional competions
      
Tralee District   
Kerins O Rahillys   Senior
Austin Stacks   Senior
John Mitchels   Inter

A) The championships

1) The Kerry Senior County Championship is  the main competion made up of 11 Senior Clubs and 9 Divisional teams as above (Tralee District do not field a divisional team), with loser rounds and play offs with 1 Club relegation place going down to Intemediate level.

Divisional Teams however cannot be relegated but also cannot represent Kerry in the Munster Senior Club if they win, If a Divisional teams wins, the Kerry representative will be the highest finishing Club team (Previously this would have been the winners of a seperate competition , The Club Championship) If a Club team wins the County Championship they represent Kerry in Munster Senior Club Championship.

Divisional teams are made up of all non Senior Clubs within that Division or District.

Players on a Divisional team can also play with their club in the same year in one of the Intermediate, Junior or Novice Championships depending on what their club is qualified in. So you could win a Junior and Senior Championship medal in the same year !!

2) The Senior Club Championship is a seperate competion to the Senior Championship, it has 11 Senior Club team who also play in the County Championship as above. Its open to relegation to Intermediate and likewise the Intermediate champions from the previous year can play senior the following year.  The Current 11 Club teams for 2011 are

St Michaels/Foilmore
Kilcummin
Dingle
Laune Rangers
Dr Crokes
Austin Stacks
Legion
Kerins O Rahillys
Ardfert
Gneeveguilla
Rathmore

3) The Intermediate Championship (16 teams), the winners represent Kerry in Munster Intermediate Club and also get promotion to Kerry Senior Club, and have an option of going to the Senior Championship on their own instead of with Divisional team the following year, with play offs for 1 team relegated to Junior. In 2011 the Intermediate will be decided by the following 16 teams:

Spa   
Finuge
John Mitchels   
Sneem/Derrynane
Milltown/Castlemaine   
Listowel Emmets
Skellig Rangers   
Keel
Waterville   
Annascaul
St Marys   
Castleisland Desmonds
Castlegregory   
Currow
An Ghaeltacht   
Glenflesk

4) Junior Championship (16 teams), winners represent Kerry in Munster Junior Club and are promoted to intermediate, play off for team relegated to Novice, 2011 is made up as:

Duagh
Valentia
Churchill   
Tarbert
St Pats Blennerville   
Cromane
Tuosist   
Glenbeigh/Glencar
Kenmare   
Ballymacelligot
Ballyduff   
Beaufort
Cordal   
Na Gaeil
Firies   
Dromid Pearses

5) Novice Championship (14 teams), Winners are promoted to Junior

Knocknagoshel   
Lispole
Kilgarvan   
Asdee
Scartaglin   
Moyvane
Templenoe   
Ballylongford
Ballydonoghue   
Renard
Beale   
Brosna
Fossa   
Listry

6) The County Board also runs the Senior County Leagues And junior County Leagues
For 2011 the County Leagues are as follows, 4 Divisions of 12 Teams and Division 5 of 13 teams, split North & South , which contains some B teams

County Senior league (61 teams including three B teams)               
Division 1
Kerins O Rahillys
Gneeveguilla
Ardfert
Austin Stacks
Annascaul
St Michaels/Foilmore
Dingle
Laune Rangers
An Ghaeltacht
Legion
Rathmore
Dr Crokes

Division 2
Kilcummin
Skellig Rangers
Glenflesk
Milltown/Castlemaine
Castlegregory
Spa
Castleisland Desmonds
Finuge
St Marys
Kenmare
St Pats Blennerville
Listowel Emmets

Division 3
Waterville
Glenbeigh/Glencar
Tarbert
Firies
Sneem -Derrynane
Keel
John Mitchels
Dromid Pearses
Beaufort
Tuosist
Currow
Cordal

Division 4
Ballymacelligot
Scartaglin
Na Gaeil
Listry
Churchill
Duagh
Lispole
Fossa
Beale
Brosna
St Senans
Ballyduff/Templenoe

Division 5 North
Moyvane
Ballydonoghue
Dingle
Knocknagoshel
Asdee
Strand Road
Ballylongford

Division 5 South
Renard
Cromane
Ballyduff/Templenoe
Laune Rangers B
Valentia
Kilcummin B

7)   County Junior leagues made up of mostly 56 B and C teams with 9 Divisions in 2010 , dont have details yet for 2011 but can see alot less teams taking part given the lack of numbers.

Junior Div 1
Currow
Austin Stacks
Kilcummin
Milltown/Castlemaine
Dr Crokes
Listowel Emmets
Rathmore
Spa

Junior Div 2
Keel
Churchill
Beaufort
Fossa
Lispole
Scartaglin

Junior Div 3
Laune Rangers C
Rathmore
Listowel Emmets
Listry
The Rock
Charlie Kerins
Rathmore C

Junior Div 4
St Michaels/Foilmore
Waterville
Dromid Pearses
Kenmare
St Marys
Sneem

Junior Div 5
Skellig Rangers
Glenbeigh/Glencar
Derrynane
Cromane
Valentia

Junior Div 6
Gneeveguilla
John Mitchels
Legion
Gaeltacht
Glenflesk
Desmonds

Junior Div 7
Ardfert
Na Gaeil
Beale
Moyvane
Tarbert
Duagh

Junior Div 8
Castlegregory
Firies
Ballymacelligot
Cordal
Annascaul
St Pats Blennerville

Junior Div 9
Ballydonoghue
St Senans
Ballylongford
Knocknagoshel
Knockanure
Clounmacon

The county Board also runs 4 extra knock out competitions for the teams who play in the Junior Leagues, The Barrett Cup, Molyneaux Cup,McElligott Cup and the Cahill Cup

8   Each Division or District will also run off its own competitions for instance in South Kerry, there is a South Kerry Championship and League, but also a South Kerry Junior Championship and league which is mainly made up of teams that can field a B team. Divisions also run their own Minor Leagues and Championships.

9) Divisional Structure also works in U21 and Minor, though the U21 only have County Championship while Minor has County League and Championship Championships


See it's all very simple !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwVzj1eNG4&feature=geosearch

The biggest game of the weekend sees the clash of Kerry v Cork but not a peep about it here, the holders of a combined total of 43 All Irelands should generate some debate here you would think, but anyway looking forward to the first serious joust of hopefully many between the 2 bitterest rivals this year.

A full blooded affair is on the cards and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the McGrath Cup recruits making a name for themselves, add in a few new and returnees from Dr Crokes and the colleges and it will give a good indication of where our intentions lie for the spring. The league has been a major springboard for us over the last 15 years, we have gone on to win the All Ireland the last 4 times we have won and Cork copied us last year so the importance of this game cannot be understated.

Jack O'Connor views:

We are training well this week in anticipation of our first Allianz League game on Sunday. " Jack said today in an interview with the Kerry GAA official website www.kerrygaa.ie.

"Kieran O'Leary and Daithí Casey from Dr. Crokes are back in training with us after their Munster Club Campaign. Both players will be in contention for a place in the panel for Sunday . Some of the third level cup tied players will also come into consideration for a place in the panel.

We will release the team later this week "


Kerry V Cork 1st Round Allianz League 2011  at Austin Stack Park Tralee on Sunday 6th February at 2.30pm

Very tragic news for the young man's family, friends and team-mates. May he RIP.


Tributes paid to schools rugby player
Rugby: Tributes have been paid today to Ben Robinson who died after collapsing during a rugby match for Carrickfergus Grammar School.

Robinson was playing for his school in the Medallion Shield against Dalriada from Ballymoney last Saturday when he collapsed. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where he died last night.

The 14-year-old, who played at centre, collapsed after a phase of play late in the game. A doctor, who was at the match, attended to him immediately before calling for an ambulance. The cause of death will not be known until the post-mortem is completed.

"It was with great shock and sadness that I learnt of the passing of Ben and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the entire rugby family across Ireland to pass the deepest condolences to Ben's parents and family," said Caleb Powell, IRFU president.

"To lose such a young life is incredibly saddening and I would also like to pass my sympathy to his team mates and school friends in Carrickfergus Grammar School. The thoughts and prayers of Irish Rugby are with you all at this time."

The Ulster branch also expressed their "sincere regret" and "heartfelt condolences are extended to Ben's parents, family and all at Carrickfergus Grammar School at this time".

A statement on behalf of his school said Ben was a "vivacious and highly popular pupil" with a "great sense of humour".

"Ben brought heart to everything he did, and that was very evident in how well he played for the school on Saturday morning. His parents have every right to be deeply proud of him."

The school said it will offer support to his older sister Holly – who is a student at Carrickfergus - and will open a book of condolences for Ben.

Brave Saoirse loses fight for lifeBy Donal Hickey - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A YOUNG girl has lost her fight against Batten's disease and died in the arms of her parents.

Five-year-old Saoirse Heffernan passed away peacefully at 1am yesterday in the family home in Keel, Co Kerry.

She will repose there from 3pm to 7.30pm today, while a mass of the angels will be celebrated at Keel Church at 12 noon tomorrow, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

A spokesperson for the national charity, Bee For Batten's, The Saoirse Foundation, said her parents, Tony and Mary Heffernan, were "devastated at the loss of their little angel".

She had enjoyed Christmas with her parents and two-year-old brother Liam, who also has the normally fatal disease, but suffered some serious complications soon after the festive season.

In early December, the Heffernans had to prepare for their daughter's final Christmas after doctors advised them to give up all hope of any lifesaving treatment for their child.

She was clearly losing her battle for survival, but the Heffernans were determined to make the most of the time she had left.

The story of the Heffernan children touched the people of the country and beyond since Saoirse's plight came to light during her parents' emotional appearance on RTÉ's Late Late Show last March.

The couple told how their lives had been turned upside down since their only daughter's diagnosis of late infantile Batten's disease, in September 2009.

The Heffernans received further news, also in March, that Liam, their only son, also had the condition.

Last October, Saoirse narrowly missed out on a potentially lifesaving medical treatment trials, having failed to meet criteria for the trials, at the Weill Cornell Facility in New York.

Her condition deteriorated rapidly after she returned from the US. However, it is hoped Liam will soon be accepted for treatment in the New York hospital.

Kerry county councillor Brendan Griffin, who lives in Keel, yesterday paid tribute to the courage of the Heffernan family and said Saoirse had left a lasting legacy, even if her life had been very short.

"Not only did she draw the community together, she also gave hope to families and other children who may have this disease," he added.

After returning from the US, Saoirse spent some time in Temple Street Children's Hospital, Dublin, and Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, before being sent home weeks prior to Christmas.

She developed pneumonia and had a series of seizures which left her totally incapacitated. She was under the care of palliative specialists and received expert nursing care at home.

Meanwhile, Bee for Battens, founded by the Heffernans, is continuing its campaign to raise awareness of Batten's disease, to support families and fund treatment trials and research into this fatal disorder.

It is hoped to send another Irish child to New York for assessment and, possibly, medical trials in the coming months. Fundraising events have been held around the country and have been generously supported.

Among those involved was Limerick boxer Willie 'Big Bang' Casey, who climbed Carrantuohill last summer for Irelands' highest ever boxing match to raise awareness of the campaign.


May the little angel rest in Peace

Never mind your Wet Paper Bag Connaught FBD League, the Puke McKenna Cup or Ladyboys O'Byrnes Cup.

The McGrath Cup is where the real football talent lines out this January and reigning McGrath Cup Champions Kerry are out this weekend as are the luckiest All Ireland winners in recent memory or even since the pan was first sliced, I give you D'Langers.

Kerry have a nice mix of new names who will be given a run out with a light sprinkling of All Ireland winners to keep them on this toes.

Kerry V IT Tralee Sunday 9th Janaury at 2.00pm in Austin Stack Park in Tralee. Admission €5.00 for all

The Kerry team has been announced by Jack O'Connor

1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)
2. Padraig Reidy (Scartaglin)
3. Mike Moloney (Dr. Crokes) Captain
4. Shane Enright (Tarbert)
5. Jonathan Lyne (Legion)
6. Brendan Guiney (Listowel Emmetts)
7. Darran O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar)
8. Anthony Maher (Duagh)
9. David Moran (Kerins O'Rahilly's)
10. Gary Sayers (Keel)
11. Donnacha Walsh (Cromane)
12. Niall O'Mahony (Spa)
13. David Geaney (An Daningean)
14. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks)
15. Paul Geaney (An Daingean)

16. Tomás Ma An tSaoir (An Ghaeltacht)
17. Seamus Scanlon (Currow)
18. Alan O'Sullivan (Tuosist)
19. Colin O'Mahony (Ballydonoghue)
20. Barry O'Grady (Ballyduff)
21. Pa Kilkenny (Glenbeigh/Glencar)
22. Kevin Dwyer (Waterville)
23. Michael O'Donoghue (Spa)
24. Pa McCarthy (Austin Stacks)

[he described his predecessor as the consummate politician of his generation]

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has paid tribute to Bertie Ahern, who announced last night that he would not be contesting the next General Election.

Mr Cowen said the announcement marked the end of an era, and he described his predecessor as the consummate politician of his generation.

He said he had always admired Mr Ahern not only for his leadership skills, his great commitment and his outstanding political instincts, but also for his courtesy and kindness to colleagues.

Bertie Ahern announced his intention not to seek re-election to the Dáil during a Fianna Fáil party meeting in Dublin last night.

Mr Ahern told the O'Donovan Rossa Fianna Fáil Cumman that he was proud of what he had achieved in politics.

He said as far back as 2002 he had made it clear he would stand down when he was 60.

With a spring election now due and his birthday in September, he was confirming he would not be a candidate in that election.

On the current crisis, he said Ireland was not, in his words, 'banjaxed' or 'an economic corpse'.

'Ireland is a country of real achievement and yes of real and pressing problems. The truth is that our country will recover. We will regain our stride and we will succeed in holding on to many of the gains we have made together. '

Political career

Prior to becoming Taoiseach in 1997, Bertie Ahern held most of the important cabinet portfolios including Finance, Labour and Industry and Commerce.

His career in politics began at 17 years of age when he joined Fianna Fáil.

He became a TD in 1977 and began to progress up the party hierarchy.

In 1987 he was made Minister for Labour. He later spent periods as Minister for Industry and Commerce and Minister for Finance.

Following the collapse of the Fianna Fáil / Labour Government in 1994, Mr Ahern was elected leader of his party and three years later, he led Fianna Fáil into coalition with the Progressive Democrats.

During his time as Taoiseach he has won acclaim for the role he played in the peace process - helping to negotiate the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

However, his spell in office was plagued by questions about his financial affairs in the 1990s.


Good riddance to him and his cronies, the most devious f**ker this country has ever seen, he should be locked up in Mountjoy. Haughey was right about him, I'm sure his nice hefty pension(s) will ease his pain

Tipperary great John Doyle has died at the age of 80, it was announced today.

A winner of eight All-Ireland Hurling titles, Doyle's career with the Premier County spanned 18 years and also included 10 Munster titles.

He holds a record 11 National League winner's medals.

Doyle was regarded by many pundits as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

He was voted Hurler of the Year in 1964, remarkably in his 15th year with the Tipp' Senior team.

Doyle won All-Ireland titles in three different decades, claiming three medals by the age of 21.

Was a great of the game and will be missed by all in Tipperary hurling circles. RIP

I got engaged last weekend after coming back from NY, and I can link it directly to the intervention of one of the GAABoard's greats.

I got a couple of premium Hogan Stand tickets to a Kerry v Dublin match a few years ago from a GaaBoard legend and as a Kerry friend was unable to travel up for the game, I was out in Town on the night before the game as you do and I met this young Monaghan wan in a pub and she was obviously charmed enough by my Kerry accent.  Surprisingly she rang me the next morning to take up my very drunken offer the night before of a day out in the Premium in Croker.

And the rest as they say is history.

I still haven't converted her fully to the finer points of loving Paul Galvin or Tomas O'Se the way we do, I guess thats the Ulster blood in her, and she has even been known to support Tyrone on the very odd occasions we have met which would test any relationship, but she has taken to praising the Gooch and even Darragh recently so I knew the time was right to pop the question. So I wrapped the ring in both the Kerry and Monaghan Jerseys and down on my knee I went.

Thanks Tom Fennelly (Bud Wiser) for the great tickets and opening up a great opportunity that has changed my life, I owe you a few pints. As we say in Kerry, you're a sound f**king man.

Today we have Dermot Ahern and Fianna Fáil deputy for Cavan-Monaghan Rory O'Hanlon dropping out of politics, as well as Arthur Morgan being moved aside for Gerry Adams recently and also Jim McDaid, George Lee and Martin Cullen pulled the plug on their careers in the last year or so. Jackie Healy-Rae is handing the armband onto Michael Healy-Rae next time around.

I wonder will there be alot more "volantary redundancies" before the electorate rip them to shreds in a few weeks, its all about saving face and yerra there is a cushy pension for those with the few years service so why would they be bothered.

Any others who may go before the next General Election?

One thing for sure there will be alot of new faces in the next Dail.

Should have happened 2 years ago...

from RTE.ie

The Central Bank has said that the brand name of Anglo Irish Bank is expected to disappear in the coming weeks and its deposits will be moved to a separate entity.

However, its loan book will be wound down over a number of years.

In a statement, the bank said Anglo's depositors will remain fully covered by the deposit guarantee.

and in more great Anglo news...

The former head of Anglo Irish Bank's Irish lending division, who is being pursued for €50m in unpaid loans by the bank, is bringing proceedings against senior Anglo officials, the State, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator.

Tom Browne alleges that their actions led to the nationalisation of the bank, the collapse of its share price and immense loss and damage to him.

He claims that as head of the bank's Irish lending division, he was instrumental in introducing a more conservative lending policy within the division until he left the bank in late 2007.

Anglo Irish Bank says far from being instrumental in introducing a more conservative lending policy, the loan book of the bank grew by more than 284% during his period in charge - from €13.3bn in 2004 to €37.8bn in 2007.

Mr Browne says actions taken by Anglo Irish Bank and some of its then officials were entirely wrongful and probably unlawful and led to its nationalisation in January 2009.

He said in some respects these actions were conducted with the complicity of certain regulatory and supervisory authorities.

The case will be back before the Commercial Court on 16 December

Wait and see he will get awarded "substansial damages" by the court. These f**kers have some neck, they should all be in mountjoy at this stage.

Just on breaking news, very strange and tragic..

Bodies of two girls found in Cork
Gardaí in Cork are investigating the discovery of the bodies of two children in a house near Ballycotton outside Middleton earlier this morning.

Gardaí from Middelton discovered the bodies of the two little girls, believed to be aged 7 and 2, when they called to the house. Gardaí had called to notify the chidlren's mother that her partner had been killed earlier in a car crash.

The man was killed when his car crashed into a wall between Ballycotton and Shanagarry.

The man's partner had earlier travelled to Cork city to work and gardaí from east Cork went to the city to inform her of the triple tragedy.

I have a number written down between 1 and 1,000,000 , guess it?

you will only get a Higher or Lower reply. Let see how quickly the number can be found out

Round 1: 427623
Winner: The Real Laoislad
Number of quesses: 32

Round 2: underway

New snooker concept just live on Setanta, Power Snooker, the most points in 30 mins with powerballs etc

But the drunken crowd were a f**king disgrace roaring and singing as only chavs and skangers do, I have a feeling it will be a huge TV sport, bring your own Celtic jersey and Dutch Gold.

The ref's not too bad though