Messages

Our lead manager of the under 20s must be the worst appointment of all time.  Look at his record,  with talented squads. Great players rarely make great managers. Another Ulster title gone missing

We're living in remarkable times and sometimes when you're in the middle of something its hard to see the bigger picture.
My take is that Ireland is a good country with decent people, shaped by history,spirituality and the weather.  We are reasonably tolerant, hard working and enjoy life but are well aware of the impact of poverty, hunger and unfairness. Like all nationalities there is a darker side, manifested in intolerance which we saw in the brutal murder of Paul Quinn when none had the courage to say stop.
Times move on; the right wing populists in England forced a weak PM into a nonsensical referendum at a time that the decent majority had no leadership and the UK sleep walked into leaving the one decent structure in place to moderate against extremism from left or right.
On this island the short sighted bigotry among some unionists led them to support the UK leaving the EU without thinking of what would happen next. A bit like the otherwise decent Blair government supporting the American war on Iraq.

So now in 2020  we have the decent majority in the North saying that we reject the extreme voices who are essentially nihilistic

And now in the South,  most young people have said they want a change from the boring rhetoric of two right wing parties, to support a party who are far from perfect but offer hope of a nation once again.  And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
This is a GAA forum. We welcome different voices. However there's nothing wrong with supporting a party who are upfront about wanting a United Ireland.
Varadkar and particularly Coveney have served our nation well at an important time. If Martin is to be the next leader of the 26 counties I hope he will have the courage to be a true soldier of destiny.

Critical 2 points thanks to Rory Gallagher.  The man has lost the run of himself. Tally got it right and Down got out of jail.

I disagree that there was nothing in it. There was real nastiness,  particularly from the Dubs. O'Carroll ran his studs down the Achilles of Geaney? when the Kerry forwards boot came off. Dangerous.  Then John Small was beating all round him. Should have been lined. The targeting of Clifford at the end was nasty. This is a talented 21 year old who the neutrals love to watch. Yet the Dubs lit on him at the end like Leopards on a foal. Cynical.

Kilcoo played a typical Kilcoo game in normal time although the quality of the opposition forced them into making more errors than usual. Only Daryl and Laverty played the occasion but all can reflect on a great year. Unfortunately the  chance may have gone as their example will spur on many clubs in Down and Ulster to raise their games. Good to see local clubs supporting the magpies and who knows when a Down team will be back in HQ.

Adh mor Cill Chua. Whatever your views on their questionable non football tactics we should get behind them on Sunday.  We have been starved of success in the county and the magpies have flown through Ulster and South Dublin under Mickey Moran.  Posters will know I have consistently highlighted Conor Laverty as an outstanding leader and I look forward to him lifting Andy Merrigan on behalf of his club, county and province.

Comghairdeas Cill Chua. Brilliant performance,  full of pride and passion but discipline and determination as well.  Onwards to the Andy Merrigan

"There's nothing to do in Kilcoo except going to mass, having a few sheep and playing football " Aaron Brannigan

Kevin Lunney is a courageous and heroic Irishman.  I wish him a full recovery.  Everyone should watch Spotlight.

So unless we get to the Ulster final next year were out of Sam ? Disaster

Comghairdeas to Glenn.
I'm having problems with the link- anyone else ?

Good coverage on Down TV with Patsy Russell https://t.co/ICn7vNl7pf?amp=1

A Solidarity march with Mr Lunney in Derrylin tomorrow per RTÉ News.
Will all those personalities who were supporting the Quinns a few years ago take part?

Fair question.  Just watched Prime Time.  A brutal attack on a man working for his community .The perpetrators and their supporters bring shame to our country.

Interested to read in Irish News that Conor Laverty is part of Banty's backroom team at Monaghan.  No doubt the Farney men remember his second half performance against them in the 2012 Ulster semi final.

United 7 points behind Liverpool and it's still August.  With 9 months still remaining,  if this continues there will be 70 points between the teams by May