Tag: #GAA2024

  • The stereotype won’t die if you keep feeding it

    The stereotype won’t die if you keep feeding it

    A late and sincerely missed friend of mine used to knock great sport out of telling what is a sizable Leitrim contingent in our locality that it took one of his people (Longford) to sing their ‘native’ song. Larry Cunningham and Lovely Leitrim. Given events in the last week or so, that little nugget of…

  • Forget about a day like this, how about a week?

    Forget about a day like this, how about a week?

    “We’ll drink to those who are here today, and remember those who are gone”. So begins one of the verses in the beautiful, moving number penned by Charlie Walls Lord knows how long ago, The Big Tree which has very much become Dunboyne’s ‘national’ anthem. Especially since being eternally enshrined as such on Mick McAuley’s…

  • The race for Richie is under starter’s orders (updated 11.40am 22/10/24)

    The race for Richie is under starter’s orders (updated 11.40am 22/10/24)

    It may make me a bit of an oddball, but I tend to be a champion of matters which others belittle or ridicule. See the Railway Cup, the International Rules Series or the scandalously shafted Tommy Murphy Cup. The Brady’s Skoda-sponsored Meath Regional Football Championship is another such gem. The brainchild of Colm O’Rourke and…

  • Advantage forwards after weekend of Retro Ball

    Advantage forwards after weekend of Retro Ball

    You can bring the horses to water but you can’t make them drink. For more than a decade now, Gaeldom, myself included, have been articulating ad nauseum how pedantic, restrictive, and frankly boring snooze fest Gaelic football has become. You can blame Mickey Harte or Jim McGuinness or Eamon Ryan or Elon Musk or whoever…

  • Meath headed for familiar setting for Championship opener

    Meath headed for familiar setting for Championship opener

    It will be a case of the road well travelled for Meath as the draws for the 2025 incarnation of the Provincial Championships – conducted on Saturday last – decreed that Robbie Brennan’s first outing as manager in the blue riband competition will be in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park against Carlow. Without having actual figures…

  • All aboard with Jimmy on the Railway?

    All aboard with Jimmy on the Railway?

    ‘Facebook Memories’ are a curious concept. But a worthwhile one. Even if they could be the actual patent for a double edged sword. If what the algorithm throws up happens to be founded on positive vibes, it can give the often beleaguered spirits a lift like nothing else. If, however, the recollections are or of…

  • Fergus Gibson would be unemployed if depending on the Tones

    Fergus Gibson would be unemployed if depending on the Tones

    Trying to predict the outcome of sporting events, or maybe anything in life is predicated on things going according to script, as it were. The thing is, though, time and experience are very much showing, though, that Wolfe Tones are very much of a mind to write and produce their own scripts. Going back as…

  • The Saw Doctors, ABBA or Buddy Holly?

    The Saw Doctors, ABBA or Buddy Holly?

    Even in this day and age, there are people who, unless and until they are affected by it themselves or you metaphorically lamp them with a sledge hammer, will still try to convince you mental health “Isn’t real”. Yes, I have been accosted by the “If it upsets you just don’t think about it” twaddle.…

  • Dramatic Friday feelings as Furze see the light

    Dramatic Friday feelings as Furze see the light

    Like the annoying hive in the middle of your back that can only be scratched either by another or with the aid of a stationary prop, competition structure will again have bee the hot topic of conversation on barstools around Meath last night. However, there will be very different views of the dramatic conclusion to…

  • It’s up to you to strike when the iron’s hot to your own benefit

    It’s up to you to strike when the iron’s hot to your own benefit

    There was a line doing the rounds some time ago – presumably with the stats to back it up – which maintained that Ladies Gaelic Football was the fastest growing sport in the country. In terms of participation numbers. Very understandable given the backing affixed to the sport by the likes of Lidl and TG4.…