COULD the Queen get the boot from Windsor, worries the News Letter. Robin Wilson of Democratic Dialogue thinks the building of the new Maze stadium could be the “right time for a new song”, in the same way that the other regions of the UK have their own distinctive pre-game ‘anthems’. Why not get rid of it? It’s tediously slow and capable of rousing neither players or fans – apart from those who insist on getting in their obligatory ‘No …
NORTHERN Ireland football fans should keep an eye out for Season Ticket on BBC2 NI tonight (Wed). It’s a special programme devoted to NI’s magnificent victory over England last month. If you ever wanted to see that goal from no less than 10 different angles, you’ll be switched on at 10pm. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
Interesting southern take on how Kerry’s footballing genius has been eclipsed by Tyrone’s northern (Protestant?) virtues of hard work and discipline. Although on the day, I counted at least two blows to the face landed by frustrated ‘Brazilians’ of Kerry, its the eye gouging of Colm Cooper that features up front analysis of ‘hard’ northern football. Check out last week’s sports call programme before it’s lifted from the site tomorrow evening. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has …
Interesting idea from two academics at the University of Ulster, who have argued that the GAA’s amateur status could make it an engine for increased sports tourism. One Australian aficionado suggested to Slugger earlier this week in Dublin that the popular International Rules tests could provide a powerful boost for the game over there. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a …
I asked a nationalist friend what he thought about the big event. He just replied, “you mean Sunday?” He wasn’t the only one: Ulster Rugby fans for Tyrone! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
It may be hard to believe, but a Tyrone fan was clearly putting county allegiance ahead of any dispute with the old enemy. His red and white flag was also the cross of St George. A first for Croke Park? To be filed with tales of a bespoke green Union flag at Northern Ireland’s 1 0 defeat of England in Windsor Park. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on …
Here’s a place to discuss the match, if you’re so inclined. The old stadium looks fantastic, as ever. If you’re outside Ireland, you can watch the game for $10 on Setanta’s website. Update: A brilliant, compelling final. All credit and congratulations to Tyrone, who truly deserve to take Sam back north. And congrats to Down too, who were the other half of a great Ulster double. Aaron Scullion
In football at any rate, rising faster up the rankings than any other team. Thanks to back-to-back wins over Azerbaijan and England, Northern Ireland are now 101st in September’s FIFA world rankings, up a massive 15 places on a month ago. FIFA also calls the victory over England one of the shocks of the century. George
Eoghan Harris opens and closes his column in last week’s Sunday Independent in praise of the tough professional approach that Northern Ireland’s Gaelic Footballers take to the game. And indeed, northerners to life in general! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Eammon McCann was backing Northern Ireland last week. In the Sunday Journal, he takes Robin Livingstone to task for his backing of England over the local Northern Ireland team. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
If you can face nothing else on Slugger this week, read this. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
For those of you who missed the Ashes series – my commiserations. It was gripping from the start. Although at the moment is just like watching paint dry: they are off the pitch with bad light. Now we are set for the last hour’s play (or non play), which is destined to end in a draw, and for England to win the series for the first time in just under twenty years. You can catch the report here. Mick FealtyMick …
I KNOW it’s a bit sad to still be posting links about the historic (for once, when applied to Northern Ireland, a description that seems inadequate) Northern Ireland victory over England the other day, but this lovingly cheesy home made digital tribute is well worth watching if you’re a fan – and they come from Wales and Poland too these days! The BBC would be crazy not to release a DVD of the game, maybe packaged with a feature – …
BBC shock jock Stephen Nolan has egg on his face after he had to keep a promise to pay more than £1,600 to charity “after rashly predicting England would thrash Northern Ireland”. There are plenty of stories surrounding the Big Match, which seems destined to enter the realms of Norn Irish sporting legend. Even the BBC got in on the act, with a beautifully cheeky gloating graphic that caused more than a few double-takes.There are text messages and emails floating …
DAVID Gordon is proud to stand up for the Ulstermen, and takes Robin Livingstone to task for his rather bitter dig at Northern Irish football the other day. Leaving aside the politics of supporting the ‘national’ team, the truth of the matter is that Windsor Park internationals have changed immeasurably since the bad old days – which reached a nadir in 2001. It’s time people gave the IFA and NI fans the credit they deserve for turning things around.Stand up …
NORTHERN Ireland have just beaten the English football team 1-0 in one of the biggest upsets I can remember – unbelievable! Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
At Landsdowne Road in Dublin 42 minutes into the Republic’s gripping first half against France and it’s 0-0. Get the second half live here. The 14,000 crowd is clearly the twelth man, as at the end of the first half at least, the motley crew that is Northern Ireland have held a much classier England, and even rattled them by times. And they getting no favours for England’s Enniskillen born goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Keep in touch here. Great result for …
Despite a fine show of football against Armagh, the current Irish News poll on Tyrone’s prospects has a slight majority of pessismists (also reflected in Eastwoods current odds). Check out last night’s Sports Call (sound file) for good natured criticism of the referee in last Sunday’s semi final. One Armagh caller suggests that the Kerry Cork semi was like a county vs a club team in comparison, and hopes Ulster football has proved its class to the doubters and begrudgers. …
OWEN and the England crew have arrived in Northern Ireland. They haven’t been here for a while, so Healy will, I hope, make the best of the opportunity. Realistically, we can’t hope for much, but – despite the good result against Azerbaijan and poor English performances of late – it’s still important for Lawrie Sanchez’s future here that the team is seen to do its best. Beckham isn’t the only player that can take a decent free kick, right?. When …
Delcan Lynch on how the Irish are finally getting Cricket. Cricket is a situational game. If it’s a dull game, it’s dull. But when it’s tight, as this Ashes series has been from day one, then it’s hard to stop watching. Not since England last won the Ashes back in 1981 has there been such compelling comtition in the International game, when Ian Botham and Bob Willis dug deep and produced some of the most gripping cricket. If you’ve never …
