On the face of it, objective analysis of a refereeing performance is probably highly difficult to arrive at. Neither of the competing teams could be expected to engage open mindedly. Neither are the whistler's own kinfolk likely to overly critical. Furthermore, it's difficult to escape the inclination RTE commentators and pundits are contractually forbidden from... Continue Reading →
Reality bites but if you look for it there’s hope there…
MEATH... 0-12 DUBLIN... 3-19 It's 2:49am, and the wind and rain are beating off the window like a night in November. But it's literally midway through April. And Meath's quest for a Leinster SFC crown now officially gone into a 15th year. It simply doesn't feel right. Not the result - there could be absolutely... Continue Reading →
What should be the greatest day is now an inconvenient afterthought
As somebody who has been strapped into the rollercoaster that is mental health battles for longer than one cares to remember, the concept of a likelihood of playing into the wind at specific times of the year is all too familiar. Indeed, there are parts of life which, though they might set the pulse racing... Continue Reading →
Heroics and heartache for battling Ratoath
On numerous occasions over the years, this writer has referred to Al Paccino's Inches speech in Any Given Sunday. Mostly because it's something I defer to very regularly. As a means of keeping the wheels turning. On a more fundamentally sporting level, not only did it get me properly 'into' American Football but, even more... Continue Reading →
You learn something new every day… If you want to
Meath's defeat by Down in the 1991 All Ireland SFC Final stands virtually as the most upsetting day yours truly has ever had following sport. Numerous theories have surfaced over the years as to why our lads came up short on the day. The four week break between the semi final and final didn't help.... Continue Reading →
Nigel made me see things in a different light
To my knowledge, I've only been blocked by three users on Twitter. Two of which were Nigel Owens and Joseph O'Brien. While the reason for the young horse trainer putting up the barricades remains a mystery, the occasion which apparently stirred Nigel's ire was another - possibly the first in fact - case of reacting... Continue Reading →