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Story a few weeks ago.

RTÉ have confirmed peak viewership figures of 1.6 million from Saturday's historic fight at Croke Park.

There was an average of 973,000 viewers plus 552,000 streams via the RTÉ player.

For comparison, RTÉ's peak viewing figures of the Ireland v Czechia World Cup playoff also hit 1.6 million people at peak time.

North Leitrim club Melvin Gaels have appointed Sligo ladies footballer Nicola Brennan as the manager of their intermediate men's team.

The Sligo woman has a decorated football career, winning Connacht medals at inter-county, club, and college level.

In taking the role, Brennan is believed to be the first woman to manage a senior men's football team at club or intercounty level.

The Tourlestrane woman will see the Gaels through the remainder of their intermediate championship campaign following the departure of their management earlier this week.

Between the NFL, boxing, concerts and not soccer (Man U v Leeds) we are seeing far more general use of Croke Park as a venue.

I wonder if a Champions League Final in Dublin might happen at some stage?

Unlikely. There isn't a soccer venue big enough

Champions league final attendance last year was 64,327 and 2019 it was even less 63,272.  For Croke Park to host the final it would require temporary seating in Hill 16 and the capacity would be roughly 70,000 with that adjustment.

Why would the FAI involve themselves in this?

Why not if they ever get the opportunity.

Between the NFL, boxing, concerts and not soccer (Man U v Leeds) we are seeing far more general use of Croke Park as a venue.

I wonder if a Champions League Final in Dublin might happen at some stage?

Unlikely. There isn't a soccer venue big enough

Champions league final attendance last year was 64,327 and 2019 it was even less 63,272.  For Croke Park to host the final it would require temporary seating in Hill 16 and the capacity would be roughly 70,000 with that adjustment.

A gulf in class was flagged from the moment the fight was announced but this is embarrassing. Pili has absolutely no business being in there with a fighter of KT's level or experienced, even if she's somewhat diminished from her peak.

Was it supposed to be competitive? I thought this was the equivalent of a testimonial.

Yes unbeaten fighter is her opponent although Katie appears a big step up.

5 gigs in Slane for Oasis August next year.

Next Galway manager odds.

As you are with Kildare after a poor league and championship

Kildare Senior Football Statement

Brian Flanagan was appointed Kildare Senior Football Manager in 2024 on a four-year term.

Following a comprehensive review of the 2026 season, Brian Flanagan will continue as Kildare Senior Football Manager in 2027, with the full support of the Kildare GAA Executive and Management Committee.

We wish Brian and the team the very best of luck in 2027.

Yes Pádraic Joyce has decided to step down after seven years in charge.



Pádraic Joyce said,

"I have decided to step down as Manager of the Galway Senior Football Team. It has been a privilege and an honour to manage my county after wearing the maroon and white for so many years. I want to thank all the supporters who followed us over the past 7 seasons. I appreciate the efforts and expense supporters went to following us all around the country.

I want to thank all the management/backroom team members who soldiered with me on this journey especially the people who have been there the whole time.

I want to thank each and every player, who trained and made sacrifices to wear the maroon and white jersey. It was a privilege to train you and watch you develop on and off the field. Behind every player and management/backroom team member are families who sacrifice more than most, so thank you to all of them and the people close to all of us who supported us along the way.
Thank you to members of the Galway GAA County Board who helped prepare the team and assisted us over the years.

I look forward to supporting the players from the stand in the coming seasons and I wish the new management team every success."

"Gaillimh Abú"

 Paul Bellew, Chairperson of Galway GAA said,
'On behalf of Galway GAA, I wish to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to Pádraic and his management team for their outstanding service to the Galway Senior Football team over the past seven years. Pádraic brought Galway back to the biggest stage of all on a consistent basis and gave our supporters many wonderful days, from memorable Connacht campaigns to two All-Ireland Final appearances. His leadership helped connect people across the county with this team and created an environment in which players developed, performed, and represented Galway at the highest level.

Since 2020, Padraic has been supported by a dedicated coaching and backroom team, and Galway GAA extends its sincere thanks to every person who contributed to that collective effort. We particularly acknowledge the commitment and service of John Concannon, John Divilly, Micheál Ó Domhnaill and Sean Rhattigan, whose contribution over many years has been immense and is deeply valued.

On a personal level, I cannot speak highly enough of Padraic's engagement, forthright style, and unwavering commitment to doing what was best for his players and for Galway football. He was exceptional to deal with throughout his tenure, and the respect in which he is held by players, supporters, opponents, and everyone connected with the game speaks volumes about the person and leader he is. Pádraic is a winner, and the standards, drive, and elite mentality he brought to the role have set a benchmark for Galway football into the future. We wish Pádraic, his management team, and their families every success in the years ahead, and we hope to see them continue to contribute to Galway football in the future.'

A process to appoint the next Galway Senior Football Manager will be put in place shortly and further communication will be issued then.

Ornstein reporting Gakpo is going to city

A bit odd to be selling one of your starting forwards to a top four rival.  Apparently City waiting for Liverpool to approve sale when they find replacement.

Looks like he is staying now as no replacement could be found

And City have now switched attention instead to be trying to sign Iliam Ndiaye from Everton.

Lionel Messi has retired from international duty.

His statement

"After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team.

"It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all: not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

"Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the National Team. I've given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.

"Thank you for all the affection over these past 20 years. I will miss hearing you from the pitch so much. Now I'll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside (through the good times and the bad, especially the bad).

"Thank you to my family for always being there, for accompanying me on this journey, so beautiful, yet so difficult. Thank you to every coach, teammate, and official I've shared this path with. I take with me unforgettable memories and moments.

"I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, alongside my teammates, moments we once only dreamed of. It was an incredible experience to live this with you all. I love you!

"Thank you, God, for making me Argentine.

"Let's go, Argentina!

"I wrote these words on July 21st, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my dad, I am even more convinced than before."

Anyone here in attendance last night in Croke Park for Bon Jovi and the Boomtown Rats?

Ornstein reporting Gakpo is going to city

A bit odd to be selling one of your starting forwards to a top four rival.  Apparently City waiting for Liverpool to approve sale when they find replacement.

[Gabriel Bannigan on Monaghan departure: 'It's obvious that there were some dark arts at play']

Irish Times tonight
 
Gabriel Bannigan on Monaghan departure: 'It's obvious that there were some dark arts at play'

Gabriel Bannigan has shed more light on his departure from his role as manager of the Monaghan football team, saying "there were dark arts at play" behind the scenes with the county board. Bannigan stepped down late on Thursday night after two season in the job but made it clear in his statement that he wasn't doing so by choice and making reference to goalposts having been moved. Speaking to The Irish Times, he expanded on his view of the situation.
"Everyone is wondering what I meant by movement of the goalposts," he said. "I tried to capture everything in my statement, honestly and diplomatically. I sat down with the county board about six weeks ago and they were unanimous in terms of me staying on for a third year

"I said to them about certain changes I wanted to make to the backroom team and they gave their full support to basically go on and do it. Which I did. I spent five or six weeks doing that.
"I went back to them last week and sat down to go through where I was at and what my proposal was. And it was very clear to me that it was a different room now. It was very clear to me that the support that was there five or six weeks ago wasn't there now. That's what I mean by moving of the goalposts

"And so the conditions are not right for me to continue. Now, what caused goalposts to move is the obvious next question. And I don't know. Genuinely, I don't know everything that happened. There's lots of rumours that I'm hearing, bits and pieces, but I don't know exactly what the truth is.
"But it's obvious that there were some dark arts at play that caused that shift. And when I talk about dark arts, there's all sorts of rumours about people being lined up, certain names being mentioned, etc, etc. I don't know if there's any truth in any of that."


"It's honesty," says Bannigan now. "It's not criticism. It's honesty. Like, the goalposts did move. The support that I had five or six weeks ago, I didn't have in the last week. That's just honesty. Well, maybe it is a little bit of criticism.
"Could this have been handled better if they didn't want me to stay on? Why the hell waste my time for the last five or six weeks? You're either backing your manager or you're not. And that's what I said to them. I said, 'Look, you're either backing me or I go.' But I didn't want to go. I didn't want it to be like this."