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Everyone's favourite time of the year again.

Bookies have Armenia as favourites - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChkJpnOgIwQ - a song that takes a while to warm up. Unusual winner if the bookies are on form. They're on first in the semi tomorrow.

Behind them in the betting is Sweden, always good to look at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdXXnX5BvGY - a more traditional winner here.

A lot of money going on the UK this week - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFqYbibLh8k - can't see it.

You can get Ireland at around 80/1 but keep yer money for a bag of chips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc14AzCXUgQ . They're on 9th in the second semi on Thursday. They'll probably qualify.

In the meantime here's Red Hurley in 1976 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjIRsfnlQr4

A big wave?

Fracking?

A plague?

Wouldn't have happened in 2004.

Young'uns nowadays have no stomach.

I know we've hammered Fermanagh and Derry several times but any rivals to the above scoreline? Dub/Meath? Cork/Kerry? Those places out west?

http://imr.inflandersfields.be/search.html

Cavan to light up the year, reaching All-Ireland semi or final with an Ulster title in the bag.
Mayo bow out tamely to Meath in an earlier round, having been dumped out of their provincial by Roscommon. Sligo win out West.
Cork lift Munster but lose to Derry in the quarters.
Dublin win everything and have a robot playing full back.

Kilkenny back.

Brolly makes controversial remarks about something.

For you personally:

GAA moment?
Non-GAA sporting moment?
Non-sporting moment?
Man?
Woman?
TV show?
Movie?
Song?

Gaaboard thread?
Gaaboard post?

Was it a year to remember or just another number?
Goal for 2014?

Yeeeooooooooo

[GAA could go global on own TV channel]

GAA could go global on own TV channel

BY DECLAN BOGUE – 25 SEPTEMBER 2013

Gaelic Athletic Association chiefs are considering an unprecedented break away from the traditional broadcasters of Gaelic games, the Belfast Telegraph can today reveal.

This may take the form of an Internet-based channel that relies on subscriptions, but they have not ruled out the possibility of negotiating with Sky TV in trying to secure a dedicated channel for Gaelic games.

With the Irish population in the United States and Australia growing and estimates putting emigrations at 240 a day, this could prove to be a means of catering for those abroad as well as at home.

The news will also create alarm at RTE and TV3 whose current broadcast deals are due to run out at the end of the National League in 2014. This development certainly leaves the GAA in a position of strength when it comes to sitting down around the negotiation table.

Former Tyrone footballer and Belfast Telegraph GAA columnist Ryan McMenamin supports the logic behind the latest development, commenting: "It would be a smart move for the Association. It definitely leaves them with a strong hand to play off when it comes to sitting down with RTE and TV3 and whoever."

Coverage of the sport on RTÉ in particular has left many divided on what their responsibilities are to the GAA. The coverage given over to Joe Brolly's reaction to Sean Cavanagh's by now infamous tackle on Conor McManus in Tyrone's football quarter-final against Monaghan led to RTÉ being in the centre of a media storm.

While RTÉ may have been pleased with the level of coverage they received, there are those who feel lines are being crossed with virulent criticism of amateur players. Another area of concern for RTÉ might be the possibility of a theoretical 'GAA TV' poaching some advertisers who currently are occupying the lucrative slots during The Sunday Game.

Ryan McMenamin added: "It could open up a way to have pay-per-view, if it is going to be fixed online. It might only be four or five pounds to pay, but it is a way that the GAA are going to need to look at very carefully. They will need to consider the revenue amount, and weigh that up against what they get already from TV rights.

"A lot of TV being produced now is web-based, so it makes a lot of sense for the GAA to go down this route. I think the games online on the web are going to suit people in America and Australia that have emigrated in recent times. There is a huge Irish connection out there now."

In recent years, a number of Ulster counties have begun filming their club Championship games, with Armagh and Down running impressive models. These are supported by subscribers paying a small fee to watch the action from all corners of the globe as well as advertising.

Setanta Ireland have made huge efforts with their National League, coverage but a dedicated GAA channel would allow new audiences time and space to develop an appreciation without scheduling pressures.

Internet-enabled televisions are a growing seller now in the digital age and it seems inevitable that any agreement the GAA may make with the more traditional broadcasters will be a short-term deal, as they seek to develop their own ideas.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/gaa-could-go-global-on-own-tv-channel-29607757.html

I would like to apologise to Mayo. I've had PMs offering digs, reporting to authorities and bad, bad words aimed at my username.

On bended knee I ask for forgiveness and I'd also like to point out Westport is a lovely place (Westport House is over rated though). Kiltimagh is also nice.

I wrote a song too:

Moonlight in Mayo

It's just a year ago today I left old Erin's Isle
My heart was throbbing in the soft light of my colleen's smile
In all my dreams I seem to hear her sweet voice soft and low
I know she's waiting where we said goodbye in old Mayo

For two Irish eyes are shining
And an Irish heart is pining
Where I kissed her and caressed her
In the gloaming long ago

Loving Irish arms will press me
And true Irish love caress me
And sweet Irish lips will bless me
When it's Moonlight in Mayo

Her Irish eyes like beacons shine all in the darkest night
I know their sweet love beams will always fill the world with light
The roses on her cheeks will lend enchantment to the scene
And when shamrocks wear the dew I'll wed my sweet colleen

What do you want to see?

Mickey to persist with playing to the strengths of the squad he has - all hand on deck at the back, retain possession and somehow work a score in rugby league like fashion? We'll beat most sides outside the top 3/4, scoring 0-15.

A fresh approach - scour the county for 1-2 real ball-winning strong forwards in the mould of a Freeman or Mannion or Donaghy - a couple of sticky corner backs.....and blend in the undoubted talent we have. Move the ball faster from 45 to 45. We might lose a few games initially.

I know Mickey knows more in his wee finger etc - but in a fantasy world...?

http://tag.huggity.com/fanpic/195-2013-eircom_gaa_semi1/event/195-2013-eircom_gaa_semi1/prelaunch/

Hope I wasn't scowlin the child.

http://www.waitbutwhy.com/2013/07/7-ways-to-be-insufferable-on-facebook.html

I read this earlier and it fairly summed up all the most irritating elements of these types of platforms (for me). Then I read the comments underneath and it has fairly divided opinion. There was one post though that opened my eyes a bit. They moreorless said FB is what it is for whoever uses it - if someone's personality/posts on it irks you then that's life - you've no obligation to be on it in the first place. I suppose this place is a version of it.

Is there anyone on here who uses no other form of social network (mostly facebook and twitter)?
Are these platforms a bad thing?

Is it fair to say that the team sheet is blank right now or do we have a player who has nabbed a spot no matter what happens?

The safety net of the back door means it's not do or die but what's the feeling here?

Tyrone won the same fixture last year 0-14 to 1-8.

'Not a single parking ticket' issued in Coalisland


NO parking tickets were issued over a three-year period in a Co Tyrone town, it has emerged.

Information released in reponse to a question by DUP MLA Lord Morrow, revealed that no parking penalities were issued in Coalisland, while Fivemiletown had more than 200 from 2010 to 2012.

"Coalisland is the next largest populated town in the Borough of Dungannon and South Tyrone - second only to Dungannon itself - yet amazingly not a single ticket was issued in past three years," said the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA.

"By comparison, Fivemiletown has a considerably lower population but appears to have a disproportionate number of parking tickets.

"Motorists who have received tickets could be forgiven for assuming that parking in some of our towns is not enforced whilst in other towns can be over-zealous.

"I am looking forward to the Minister's replies to my follow-up questions in relation to this alarming disparity. Communities need to be assured that parking is enforced in an equitable manner," the DUP peer added

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/regional/not-a-single-parking-ticket-issued-in-coalisland-1-5134785

I remember thinking during the league that he looked a lot thinner. On the radio today he revealed he was sick during the month of September and, when assessed, was told his heart was working at 15%.

He has lost over two stone naturally and has managed to avoid the suggested heart transplant or bypass by luckily responding to medication.

Lucky man - goes to show we should visit the doc at first signs of anything abnormal.

(maybe this is old news)

The highlight of the year again, just ahead of Christmas.

The Irish lad sings in the semis on Tuesday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNQNdHV279w

He'll get through OK but can see a mid-table finish on Saturday.

Have listened to a few of the leading contenders but think Denmark have it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlZYtfISqV8

And this girl has a nice dress - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hnC6T3cOzo

I was watching a repeat of the Kerry/Dublin 2009 game and was thinking of the worst inter-county hidings. I think there were a few in 2001.

Any over 20 points at inter-county level?