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No one has broken up the big 4 since the 2018 final between Coleraine and Lavey. The loss of the Downeys set Lavey back a bit. I'll predict it now so everyone forgets by next year but I think this will be last chance for the current Sleacht Néill side could give others the opportunity to spring from the chasing pack.

it benefits both parties to have info and information used to oil the machine

Is this another cryptic clue as to what everyone has been up to with a certain person? (allegedly)

Offside wasn't even mentioned. I think Scales touch would have played him onside as it was a deliberate intervention. May be making that rule up but seem to remember it from somewhere.
Could go either way look vulnerable when ball played over the top especially Scales.

If it is Loyalist paramilitaries then it is British Intelligence behind them. Or it could just be a bunch of stubborn Orangemen who won't accept change.

The 4 favourites are evens as an accumulator, their opponents 548/1. The bookies don't expect any upsets.
They will very likely be correct.

[the potential for disorder]

The below is an assessment by the police in a previous rejected case. I can't find the exact determination but I believe it's within the last two years.

"The police noted that the route can be deemed as sensitive and therefore have consequences on both the local community and further afield. They also noted that, since it was notified, local engagement and feedback from the community indicates that there is significant opposition to the parade. Regarding the plans that they would implement to ensure that the parade passes off peacefully, a large policing operation at short notice would be needed to facilitate the parade along the notified route. It was also noted that there is concern that supporters and those in opposition to the parade will assemble in the area, with this having the potential for disorder. To facilitate the parade along the notified route and the likely attendance of a large number of supporters from both communities could have a detrimental impact on community relations, the local community and further afield, with the potential for Portadown to once more become a focal point for disorder that could spread to other areas"

And then this is the accepted determination for sundays parade

"The police made both written and oral submissions, indicating that they, at the time of making them, had no information indicating that the parade would result in disorder or violence. They are planning for all reasonably likely scenarios, both known and unknown, in accordance with their legal obligations and the applicable policies and procedures. Their assessments will be updated on a continuous basis. Meetings have been held with the organiser, residents and political parties and local police are engaging with the community. They were unable to indicate the size and profile of the police deployment for the parade, as it would depend on the situation as it was at the time. The police stated that they would provide sufficient resources to police any parade that takes place, whether subject to conditions or not, and also any protest activity that may occur"

I may be too literal, but when I first read the determination from the PC 'would result in disorder' struck me as being quite definitive. The first quote from the rejected determination indicates that 'potential for disorder' was sufficient reason to reject a parade. The latest determination may show the PC have shifted the goalposts, the PSNI used different language in their assessment for this parade, or the wrong question was asked and answered.
I cannot see how any public representative particularly in the PSNI could say that a parade would result in disorder. No one could argue this parade has the potential for disorder but equally we cannot say it would result in disorder if it went through. I would be inclined to believe the PC have made a decision they wouldn't previously have made given the pressure they had been put under and brought upon themselves, than the PSNI assessing this parade differently.

OK someone tell me the end game here, how does this play out?

At present the only end game is they clear the road and 35 people walk along it. That is the legal position whether we agree or disagree and there is no reason for the OO to move away from it.
A court or the Secretary of State may change that position, but the current legal challenge seems a bit hit and hope.
I can't understand how the Parades Commission concluded that a limited parade of 60 at 12:45 wasn't permitted but it would be OK at 08:00 as it would reduce the disruption to residents. I also can't understand how they all agreed to it and at least one didn't resign at the insanity of it all.

I watched Bellaghy, Dungiven on TV, I can't say I noticed anything particularly wrong in the refs performance. Judgement call on the 2 point free I saw queried, which I didnt think was clearly wrong and we don't know what free he is giving or where he believes the first offence took place.
 

[the republican rabble.]

Loyalists can't argue there is a right to march then object to marches. If it comes to a you object to my march and we will object to yours, Unionism has much more to lose. History would suggest that they will find some false equivalence in Irish culture, maybe the GAA, and target it.

Right...but the PC approved the Gaza march over the objections of the local residents

The local residents protested but didn't obstruct or prevent the parade from taking place

Next year- maybe they say, fvck it-we'll do the same as what they did on Garvaghy Rd

But then they lose the moral high ground and are reduced to the level of the republican rabble.
Some of the views held by both sides will change when the boot is on the other foot, we are good at that over here.

Strange choice of language.

You Lockhart in disguise?

Loyalists can't argue there is a right to march then object to marches. If it comes to a you object to my march and we will object to yours, Unionism has much more to lose. History would suggest that they will find some false equivalence in Irish culture, maybe the GAA, and target it.

Right...but the PC approved the Gaza march over the objections of the local residents

The local residents protested but didn't obstruct or prevent the parade from taking place

Next year- maybe they say, fvck it-we'll do the same as what they did on Garvaghy Rd

But then they lose the moral high ground and are reduced to the level of the republican rabble.
Some of the views held by both sides will change when the boot is on the other foot, we are good at that over here.

Strange choice of language.

You Lockhart in disguise?

Sorry you are targeting a faithful, Carla probably doesn't share my interest in the Derry Under 16 championship. (Or is it part of my cover)
For clarity'republican rabble' was my take on what our good friends and neighbours at Drumcree and elsewhere may think.

Loyalists can't argue there is a right to march then object to marches. If it comes to a you object to my march and we will object to yours, Unionism has much more to lose. History would suggest that they will find some false equivalence in Irish culture, maybe the GAA, and target it.

Right...but the PC approved the Gaza march over the objections of the local residents

The local residents protested but didn't obstruct or prevent the parade from taking place

Next year- maybe they say, fvck it-we'll do the same as what they did on Garvaghy Rd

But then they lose the moral high ground and are reduced to the level of the republican rabble.
Some of the views held by both sides will change when the boot is on the other foot, we are good at that over here.

Loyalists can't argue there is a right to march then object to marches. If it comes to a you object to my march and we will object to yours, Unionism has much more to lose. History would suggest that they will find some false equivalence in Irish culture, maybe the GAA, and target it.

Sorry that I don't have a link, but yesterday on GB News some female commentator advised that the reason Ireland (and other Catholic countries) were anti-zionist was because the Jews killed Jesus. I kid you not.

I put on GB News yesterday to see what they were saying about Drumcree, each time someone was shouting about small boats. Don't think I will revisit. Anyway this discussion is a little off topic.

Good win for ROI yesterday managed to take their chances and defended well enough. Second half performance was a bit concerning as they looked to have lost creativity and any danger in the attack. Would be good to see a result against Austria. They need work on their set pieces should be an area in which a team with 3 big centre halfs can gain some advantage.

The only long term benefit that I can see for unionism is that they can use this as an example of how reconciliation within N Ireland has not been achieved and therefore there cannot be a border pole. Whilst reconciliation is not mentioned in the GFA it does get mentioned every so often by people who should know better as being a condition for a border poll and unification.
That reconciliation is mentioned as a prerequisite is perhaps the greatest incentive for any unionist to ensure it does not happen.

Could it not be argued that as long as NI exists we cannot have reconciliation, only in  a united/new Ireland will it be possible.

You could spin it that the OO aren't being treated equally by the British state so should join a free Ireland where they can march anywhere they want. But it feels like another grandstanding performance to show how put upon they are as a minority in their own country and that it would definitely be worse in a united Ireland.
I wonder do any of the 35 members of the OO ever take a walk up the Garvaghy Road when not in uniform.

The only long term benefit that I can see for unionism is that they can use this as an example of how reconciliation within N Ireland has not been achieved and therefore there cannot be a border pole. Whilst reconciliation is not mentioned in the GFA it does get mentioned every so often by people who should know better as being a condition for a border poll and unification.
That reconciliation is mentioned as a prerequisite is perhaps the greatest incentive for any unionist to ensure it does not happen.

Someone may correct me but SOS can only cancel if serious threat of public disorder having been asked by the Chief Constable. Parade permitted as there was no threat of violence.
The conclusion is there needs to be a few riots to stop this and other parades happening.
As ever I cannot see any long term benefit for Unionism. SF are bad and nationalists won't let us play seems to be the goal but that is message they have pushed forever.