There are certain jobs in the sporting world that everybody would want, yet nobody would queue up for at the same time. Some roles are a poisoned chalice. Who would want to take over from some of the greatest managers … Continue reading Lampard a victim of his own relative success
In an article in this space not so long ago, surprise and no little jealousy was expressed at seeing Sean Boylan attending the National League meeting of Dublin and Meath at Parnell Park. Owing to the Covid-19 restrictions and the … Continue reading Echoes of the past pointing to a bright future
When Cork eventually beat Kerry in the Munster Senior Football Championship of 1987, though it was undoubtedly the end of an era, the result scarcely represented a monumental shock given the mileage which those vanquished had clocked up on their … Continue reading An uneven 50/50 split as noisy neighbours roar back
On a particularly warm Saturday in April 2015, around midday, Meath defeated Offaly in a Leinster Minor Football League game in a practically deserted Pairc Tailteann. There were two Dunboyne clubmen in green and gold that day – David McEntee and Conor Keeley. The latter marking his first – and sadly only – outing in a Tayto Park jersey – as it was then – by accounting for 1-7 of the host’s total. His mere presence on the field was a victory in itself. For myself and a few of us who had cajoled, coaxed, persuaded and all but begged … Continue reading Dunboyne’s twin towers ready for next career chapter
The love of my life was only days old when Meath won the Leinster Senior Football Championship in 1986. Their first time to reign in the province for 16 years at that stage. To a certain extent, darling’s arrival on … Continue reading Gary of all people should know the risks of getting carried away
Manchester United’s pairing with Liverpool is the pick of ties for the fourth round of the FA Cup following the draw for same which was completed a short time ago. It will be the old foes second collision in a week, the outcomes of which will be pivotal to both clubs’ seasonal aspirations. Other noteworthy fixtures in the next stage of the competition include the winners of the deferred third round clash between Southampton and Shrewsbury awaiting holders Arsenal. The Gunners will surely be weary given their patchy record against The Saints and the fact that they have come a … Continue reading Old foes paired together entering pivotal period of season
There’s shaky old footage on YouTube of Manchester United defeating Northampton Town 8-2 in the FA Cup of 1970. On a pitch that, while it may not have resembled a ploughed field, definitely had the top worked down on it. … Continue reading Two CC’s of shocks as magic of the Cup lives on
Liverpool’s ambitions of retaining the league title they sauntered to for the first time in three decades just a few months ago have been dealt a hammer blow with the news that rearguard general Virgil Van Dijk is facing a … Continue reading Champions title defence hopes rocked by Van Dijk blow
It’s doubtful if – even though it was Friday the 13th – on the evening the Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in Ireland that anybody thought the chaos would still be ongoing nearly seven months later. Now read on… While this … Continue reading Heroes with or without their boots
Harry Gregg passed away just about a week ago. For those who may not know, he was the goalkeeper on the Manchester United team, many of whom perished in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958 – when the aircraft carrying the Red Devils crashed after several failed take-off attempts in a blizzard. The Northern Irishman was credited with saving the lives of his teammates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Violet as well as a mother and newborn baby. Naturally, given Charlton’s status within the global game – never mind the club – in many ways he became the public face of … Continue reading Unrealistic expectations hark back to the past
