Tag: Northern Ireland

  • Mick Reilly – A Tribute

    Mick Reilly – A Tribute

    At what point did you notice yourself getting old? Or older at least. Personally, seeing ‘older’ relatives pass away back in the years probably have had a different effect than is now the case. You know the way it is when you’re a youngster, ‘grown ups’ seem eons older when the reality may in fact…

  • At the snooker, really lads?

    At the snooker, really lads?

    The very first Snooker related piece produced in this space, back in 2012, was headlined ‘Sedate Pace But Not Much Grace’. At the time it was in reference to the tempestuous Mark Allen having a petulant spat with somebody or other. Probably all of the sport knowing him. Other than that, we know Ronnie O’Sullivan…

  • Pauw free to plot historic journey as American probe ends

    Pauw free to plot historic journey as American probe ends

    Republic Of Ireland Ladies manager Vera Pauw is free to concentrate on plotting her team’s historic journey to the World Cup after the conclusion of a mammoth investigation into abuse cases in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in America. Donegal’s Amber Barrett having drilled home the historic winner against Scotland in Hampden Park only…

  • Opening jousts in arrows action revealed

    Opening jousts in arrows action revealed

    This writer is by no means a fan of Christmas. Even less so of the build up thereto. However, the only thing which makes the Festive Season even slightly more palatable is the abundance of sporting action that punctuates the end of December and early January. With a plethora of Soccer, Rugby, American Football and…

  • Truss throws in the towel as political chaos continues

    Truss throws in the towel as political chaos continues

    BREAKING NEWS In one of the biggest political undressings in history, Liz Truss has bowed to the inevitable and resigned as British Prime Minister just 44 days after getting her seal of office from Queen Elizabeth II in the latter’s final official duty before her death. The erstwhile Conservative Leader was beset by controversy and…

  • Sorry Ma’m – there doesn’t appear to be any racing on the TV in the Royal Box

    Sorry Ma’m – there doesn’t appear to be any racing on the TV in the Royal Box

    When you hear the words ‘Barbers Shop’, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Haircuts, obviously. Or possibly musical quartets. Though not necessarily those including Homer Simpson on the roof of Moe’s or Peter Griffin going around hospital wards. In this corner, mention of Barbers Shop evokes memories of what I think was Queen…

  • Without Trimble’s courage peace might never be

    Without Trimble’s courage peace might never be

    Almost immediately after it was announced that Colm O’Rourke was the preferred choice of Meath’s power brokers to assume the role of county senior football manager, thoughts turned to next year’s National Football League. Specifically, what ‘Colm O’Rourke’s Meath’ will look like, in personnel and style of football. Which in itself builds excited anticipation for…

  • Johnson abdication a cause of concern for Ireland

    Johnson abdication a cause of concern for Ireland

    They say a week is a long time in politics. However true that may be, the time during which the world came to a standstill owing to Covid-19 – rightly or wrongly – felt like a lot longer. Not, however, for the now ex British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Who seemed to have no bother…

  • A century on, have things really changed much?

    A century on, have things really changed much?

    If certain heartbreaking developments hadn’t happened during the summer, I can only imagine the debate myself and Myles Fahey would have had on Monday night. It would surely have got feisty but would just as certainly have wound up being adjourned over a pint or three. Now read on… Monday night pints were always my…

  • Closing the stable door when the ginnit has long bolted

    You’ve often heard mention of Maurice Healy’s wonderful documentary Waiting For Houlihan which was basically the mountain of a man from the mountains of Kerry telling his own story in his own words. Interspersed therein also, mind you, were tributes to the great man from such contemporaries as Tony Meade of The Kerryman and Eoghan…