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Cycling in Dunboyne poignantly inspired
By Brendan Boylan, Shortly before Christmas 2011, I took a call from local Garda Cathal Walsh, the purpose of which was to invite me to the first dinner dance of Inspiration Cycling Club in Dunboyne. Although aware of the club’s existence, initially yours truly, was, though honoured and humbled to receive the invite, a tad…
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A good start – if only we’d seen more of it!
By Brendan Boylan, Turning on the computer to find an email from Jim Dreaper recently was quite exciting. His is undoubtedly the most famous family name in Irish National Hunt racing owing to his late father’s exploits with the legendary Arkle and many other star horses. Before opening the correspondence, my mind was awash with…
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There are still a few good men
By Brendan Boylan, In one way, one seven day period changed Soccer as we knew it forever more. There’s no way, you see, to sugar coat the fact that Manchester City and Chelsea bought their way to the trophies they recently accrued. That said, it would be unfair to make that the sole judgement in…
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Feelings shelved for the greater good
By Brendan Boylan, Earlier this year, the opinion was expressed that replacing Declan Kidney as Irish Rugby coach wasn’t the way to go. One of the great things about sports writing, however, is that things are always evolving in sport, thus, opinions can change. There are also times when you have to admit you have…
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Fun, but a stark eye opener as well
By Brendan Boylan,After Meath won the All Ireland in 1996, Brendan Reilly’s father, Jim, himself a Celtic cross winner in 1954, set me an unusual challenge – pick that year’s All Star team without Meath men! Naturally, it was a difficult task because – having tasted glory – instinct would have been to flood the…
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Fundamentals are the same worldwide
By Brendan Boylan, There’s a school of thought which suggests the first of everything is always the best. Now, the dying embers of the Premiership season just finished might scotch that theory a little, but a broader appraisal of the situation might still prove it true. In the immediate aftermath of Sergio Aguero’s sensational salvation…
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Do the GAA appreciate what they have?
By Brendan Boylan, The Munster Hurling Final is rightly regarded by many as the greatest sporting occasion that occurs in this country every year. For a multiplicity of reasons too, from the enthralling action that transpires on the pitch, to the electrifying atmosphere that tends to ensue within the ground and the unbeatable buzz that…
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Sedate pace, but no room to age with grace!
By Brendan Boylan,As well as an extensive reading library of mostly sports biographies, yours truly also keeps a fairly large library of videos and DVDS of sporting action. Contained therein is a variety from GAA, soccer, rugby, racing, basketball and boxing, and maybe more. Also there is a collection of Jimmy Magee’s favourite sporting memories…
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Sadness is the strongest feeling
By Brendan Boylan, This column comes to you amidst a maelstrom of emotions. First off, let it be made abundantly clear that this writer has no problem with the current Meath management team. While Seamus McEnaney was only properly introduced to me very recently, I have known Tom Keague all my life and was blessed…
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A need to vehemently defend a sporting institution
By Brendan Boylan, Every facet of life contains risk. If you run the shower too hot, you might get scalded. Play the stock markets and there’s a good chance you’ll get burned in another way. Those that play contact sports know big hits are never far away. Working with horses can be dangerous business too.…