Sport

ICC World Twenty20 2012 Qualifier Tournament

Pete Baker on March 23, 2012, 6:15 pm

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After defeating the Netherlands by seven wickets in Dubai, Ireland’s cricketers are just one win away from a final showdown with Afghanistan in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament. Getting to the final would also secure a place in the World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka in September. To get there, though, they need to beat Namibia, who lost to Afghanistan by 47 runs in an earlier preliminary final. Namibia are also the only team to have defeated Ireland in the qualifying tournament to date. That, however, was in …

RUC Athletics Association: it hasn’t gone away you know

Turgon on March 22, 2012, 6:17 pm

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Following on from Mick’s piece about the Royal Ulster Constabulary Athletics Association. The BBC are reporting that the motion to change the name of the association has been dropped. From the BBC: The move has been welcomed by unionist politicians. DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt called on ACC Kerr to resign as chairman of the association. The TUV leader Jim Allister said the move had provoked anger among the members who met on Thursday morning to discuss the issue. Mr Allister …

“This is [partitionist] provocation in the extreme…”

Pete Baker on March 21, 2012, 4:05 pm

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The sensitive souls at the Armagh GAA County Board have, apparently, issued a statement of complaint in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat to Laois – when their captain was sent-off for allegedly kicking a Laois player during the half-time interval. The RTÉ report notes A statement from the Armagh County Board has claimed that its players were subjected to “racist and personal abuse” during the Allianz NFL game with Laois on Sunday last. The board are angry that the “partitionist provocation” …

Shamrocks have a great St Patricks Day.

John Ó Néill on March 21, 2012, 10:38 am

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There are few enough red-letter days for Ulster hurling to let one pass-by unremarked. For those blissfully unaware of the travails of hurling in the north, no Ulster county has ever won a senior, Under-21 or minor All-Ireland or National League title. Nor has Ulster ever won the [inter-provincial] Railway Cup in hurling. The only senior hurling title came nearly 30 years ago, to Loughiel Shamrocks in the 1983 All-Ireland senior club hurling championship. [I feel obliged to also note …

Rangers FC in crisis: A genuine Ulster Scots saga…

Phil Mac Giolla Bhain on March 19, 2012, 4:53 pm

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If the Ulster Scots Agency has any spare money they might think about giving it to Rangers Football club and quickly. Recently the players took a 75% pay cut till the end of the season. The Administrators said it was that or the lights went out. The future for the club is bleak. Rangers could be liquidated as their debts are massive and unpayable. And the company will not be in a position to trade out of the situation. The …

Rith 2012: Get on yer ‘brógaí reatha’!

Ciarán Dunbar on March 10, 2012, 10:37 am

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This morning will see the arrival of ‘Rith 2012’ in Belfast, organisers are confident that hundreds will turn out to support the event. ‘Rith’, the Gaelic for ‘run’ is a ten day event in which thousands of Irish speakers and supporters of the language will run from Gaoth Dobhair in Donegal to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. The idea is based on the Basque ‘Korrika’. The runners began the epic journey on Thursday in An Bun Beag, …

Six Nations – Another boring weekend.

Dewi on March 10, 2012, 7:22 am

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OK – in the prediction contest we have two joint leaders, Johnny Boy and Reader. Neither have gone for Tommy Bowe as top try scorer so it’s still very open. Today it’s Wales v Italy and Ireland v Scotland. Tomorrow England travel to Paris. In the Western Mail Michael Owen hails the best Welsh team he has ever seen. I agree – we just need to click- could be today. Is International Rugby good for Andy Robinson’s health? …he likes …

SIx Nations – Let’s try this again…

Dewi on March 4, 2012, 10:18 am

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A miracle or a massacre? – From the Irish Independent: Le massacre du printemps, incidentally, was a headline from L’Equipe on the morning of the 1992 fixture in the old Parc des Princes, where Ireland managed never to win — against France or Argentina. Philippe Saint-Andre was on the wing that day when the home team romped home 44-12. For optimum effect we fiddle around with the stats from Ireland’s record in Paris, but the one that best illustrates the …

“a good test of how Irish culture is changing…”

Pete Baker on February 28, 2012, 4:34 pm

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In the Irish Times, Fintan O’Toole considers a recent discussion document from the GAA’s director general, Páraic Duffy – on “GAA amateur status and payment to team managers” [pdf file]. From the Irish Times article The GAA is arguably closer than any other body to being, for both good and ill, the archetypal Irish organisation. It’s no great stretch to suggest that what’s happening there is a good test of how Irish culture is changing. Or, as the case may …

Six Nations – Weekend 3

Dewi on February 25, 2012, 6:33 am

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It’s time to start building a fortress. From the Irish Times: WHEN IRELAND first returned to Lansdowne Road in the autumn of 2010, Brian O’Driscoll spoke for all when declaring Ireland’s need to make the Aviva a fortress. Alas, not helped by the IRFU’s ticketing fiasco, as fortresses go it’s been more akin to the Maginot Line, which the Germans stormed in about a day. Should be comfortable – Italy can be awkward – but in areas where Ireland are …

Six Nations: Paris in the Spring – A day for heroes…or a cold night in hell?

Dewi on February 11, 2012, 7:25 am

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Well, late winter really but that ain’t quite got it..from the Irish Times – it’s minus nine degrees: At least les bleus won’t be playing with the sun on their backs in springtime. Otherwise, this one doesn’t look too promising. Not only do France have a hex on Ireland like no one else, nowhere does this apply more than the French capital. Ireland have won just once in their last 20 visits, and les bleus have also won 11 of …

Six Nations – wide open.

Dewi on February 3, 2012, 2:55 am

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This weekend sees the start of the most unpredictable Six Nations for a while. (There’s still time to make your predictions here). Are those Polish freezers still working for Wales? (BBC) Keith Earls has some pretty big boots to fill….(Belfast Telegraph) If you were Mr Lancaster would you like to start things anew at a freezing hostile Murrayfield…..? From the Record Andy Robinson is pressing the right buttons. Of England’s World Cup: What surprises me about England is they fell into a …

McGuinness wants to support Northern Irish football team?

Mick Fealty on February 1, 2012, 4:52 pm

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Erm, don’t tell Squinter [aye, like he didn’t know already – ed], but Martin McGuinness is contemplating a reciprocation the First Minister’s visit to watch the McKenna Cup final last weekend… Martin McGuinness has revealed he would cheer on the Northern Ireland football team and hopes to get the chance on a visit to Windsor Park. With many nationalists hostile to the international team, viewing its home stadium in south Belfast as a cold house for Catholics, the remarks from …

Six Nations 2012 Prediction Contest

Dewi on January 28, 2012, 9:22 am

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Ok – it’s that time of the year. Same rules as usual which are: 1 point for a correct home win, 3 points for a correct away win, 7 points for a correct draw. This year we need the top try scorer. 3 points if it’s one bloke, 2 if it’s joint, 1 if it’s shared by three. Any more than 3 top try scores it’s nowt. Tie breaker is total points scored. Here’s the fixtures: 1 France v Italy …

2012 Prediction Contest

Dewi on December 27, 2011, 10:16 am

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OK – Ten questions – predictions any time this year please – answers this time next year: i) Who will be the Republican nomination for US President? ii) Who will be the leader of the UK Labour Party this time next year? iii) Who will be the leader of Sinn Féin this time next year? iv) How far will the Republic of Ireland go in the Euro Football? v) How many gold medals will Wales win in the Olympics? vi) …

Christmas morning routines – run, church, sawing, lunch – in Portrush!

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on December 24, 2011, 9:00 am

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As you sleepily wander around the house in your pyjamas on Christmas morning, spare a thought for 28 year old Olympic single sculling hopeful (and world silver and bronze medallist) Alan Campbell who’ll be enjoying a rather more energetic Christmas. Friday’s Guardian explains his routine: I get up pretty early, usually about 6.30am. I’ll have a quick bowl of cereal then straight into the car. Then I head for Portrush East Strand, where I run along the beach to the …

The Decade of BIG Dates ( and little ones too )

Drumlins Rock on December 14, 2011, 12:36 pm

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Not the romantic kind, nor the edible one’s but anniversaries of significant events. Many are looking forwards to the years between 2012 and 2022 to commerate or celebrate various past events, others are equally dreading them, in particular the, 1916-2016 Easter Rising & Somme Commerations come to mind. But these are not the only significant dates coming up and I suggest we compile a list of some of the lesser known events worthy of our attention, as well as the big ones, we …

“two challenges and a serious suggestion” offered to Ulster GAA by Dr Norman Hamilton

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on October 29, 2011, 2:15 pm

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It’s hard to predict where a Presbyterian minister will pop up next. The latest nationalist foray was conducted this afternoon by former moderator Dr Norman Hamilton who had accepted an invitation to address the Ulster GAA at their Club and Community Development Conference in Armagh City Hotel (the scene of last week’s UUP conference). Back on 10 January when he was still moderator, Hamilton met with the Ulster GAA in Armagh. The meeting during which the news of Michaela McAreavey’s …

RWC – Mum: ‘He proved them wrong’

Dewi on October 24, 2011, 4:25 am

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Wonderful stuff from the NZ Herald: Sheryll Donald this morning said she never doubted her son would turn in a great game when he was called off the bench with 50 minutes to go. Seeing him rescue the flagging All Blacks side was one of the proudest moments of her life, she said. And as Graham Henry said: Didn’t he do well. Steve Donald. Superb DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

RWC – almost done….come on All Blacks!

Dewi on October 23, 2011, 8:34 am

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Enjoy: Power’s back on in Auckland. Sticking with the Herald – A number of All Blacks are pacing around the playing surface.. Enjoy! DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…