Mike Tyson is to retire after his knockout defeat by unknown Ulsterman Kevin McBride in Washington DC. Tyson gave up at the end of the sixth round against the 32-year-old Clones journeyman. A sad but probably fitting end to the sporting career of a man whose criminal acts, violent personality and psychological problems probably prevented him from being one of the all-time greats. George
The Irish High Court has found that one of Ireland’s top golf clubs, Portmarnock in Dublin, can continue to prevent women from becoming full members overturning a previous decison by the District Court last year that the club was a discriminating club under the terms of the equal status act. Is this a vindication of the men’s right to freedom of association or a setback for women’s rights? George
In the face of speculation, the Sunday Herald points out why “proud Ulsterman” Martin O’Neill will never manage England. Aaron Scullion
I’ve no axe to grind on last Wednesday’s memorable European Cup final, but this piece in Sunday’s Observer by three of the paper’s talented sports writers was a great yarn on the whole experience, not least for this scene on the plane on the way over: At the back of the plane a cartoon Ulsterman called Paddy addressed the fans and he did not need any amplification. An attempt to get the whole flight to sing the real words to …
European football’s governing body, UEFA, has commended the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Northern Ireland, pointing to it as “a fine example of the work being undertaken” by national associations to eliminate racism, discrimination and intolerance from football. George
A thread in deference to all those who want to vent their spleen on whether Liverpool beat AC Milan or not in the Champions League final in Istanbul tonight and who don’t have the cúpla focal.Although the furthest thing from a Liverpool fan, Rafael Benitez is a top man in my view, especially for humbling Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho with his tactical nous in the semi-finals, so I’ll not be too upset if the Reds claim a fifth European Champions …
Martin O’Neill will quit as manager of Celtic for personal reasons after this weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Dundee United. I think it’s safe to say O’Neill is a person who by his actions and achievements as a player and manager has won the respect of virtually everyone on these islands, regardless of background, and our thoughts go to his wife Geraldine, who is battling cancer. George
It’s got to be the turn round of the football season. Celtic who led Rangers for most of the season, lost concentration in the last minute at Motherwell who scored two and let Rangers in at the death to take the Championship. Riots ensued in North Belfast. The DUP blamed Nationalists and Sinn Fein blamed the police. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media …
Congratulations to Belfast boxing coach Gerry Storey, who has been awarded the Laureus Sport for Good award in Estoril in recognition of his Holy Family gymn in Belfast, which trains young boxers “regardless of their background, and encouraging tolerance and reconciliation between the Catholic and Protestant communities”. The gym was featured in the Daniel Day-Lewis film The Boxer.”This is a gym dedicated to boxing, sportsmanship and the creation of great fighters, including world middleweight champion Steve Collins and Olympic gold …
The Scotsman reports Billy Connolly’s decision to boycott Old Firm games, because he doesn’t want to associate himself with sectarianism. 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
Well done Munster who have beaten the Scarlets 27-16 at Lansdowne Road to win the Celtic Cup. In an interview after the game Ronan O’Gara was saying a few minutes ago that at the moment he has a “great hunger for the game” which bodes well for the Lions tour! Ambrose Uprichard
The Irish Independent has a story, Under-16 soccer team stoned by loyalist mob, which makes me wonder what we do with these people? The Carnlough team, attacked by a group of 30 Loyalists at Ballykeel in Ballymoney who thought them Catholics, are withdrawing from their league. Where do we go from here ? Ambrose Uprichard
THE Irish News reports that the Belfast Marathon is a bit of an organisational shambles. Leaving aside yesterday’s attempted bombing of the race, the new “flatter, faster” route itself has been slammed by runners. The deserted industrial wasteland towards the end is not seen as particularly enticing when support is appreciated by tiring runners; the toilet facilities were criticised; and wheelchair competitors had to dodge traffic too.Jim Stokes wrote on BBC Online: From personal experience, though, that third leg was …
The GAA has voted for the temporary lifting of Rule 42 at its annual congress. Details not available yet. It was decided by a secret ballot. George
Armagh GAA has voted against the changing of Rule 42. Westmeath (along with all the other Leinster counties) has voted for a temporary suspension. In Ulster only Cavan and Donegal have voted for it. A recent telephone poll in the Republic for RTE had a 78% majority in favour of change. Cork’s board decided against without a vote. Chris blogs his reasons for changing his mind. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …
As if professional rugby players didn’t have enough games on their plate, Celtic League tournament director David Jordan, seeing the success of the British and Irish Lions, has come up with the idea of a “Celtic Tigers” side representing Scotland, Ireland and Wales, which would compete against the leading Test nations. “If Celtic Rugby can develop as a brand then the possibilities are endless,” Jordan said. “For example, you just have to look at the number of Lions jerseys that …
Kildare and Offaly have joined the other 10 Leinster counties in giving their approval to temporarily opening up Croke Park to rugby and “soccer” while Lansdowne Rd. is being rebuilt. So far only Cork and six Ulster counties have voted against amending Rule 42. Down will decide next Wednesday. It certainly appears the momentum is in favour of those advocating allowing the temporary use of the stadium. George
I know Henry McDonald has been tracking sustainable efforts at bringing all island dimensions to Irish sport. However, an all Ireland football team, he believes, is clearly not one of them. 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
Looks like the fuss made by Daily Ireland and others at the proposed re-routing of the Belfast Marathon to avoid hilly west Belfast has paid off. 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
Road Bowls. If you’ve never seen it, you’ve got to try it once. It’s a damn sight more difficult that you’d imagine it is. Flinging heavey shot up a country road. I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of Corkmen up a half mile course a few years back. Never seen a group of septugenarians jump so high and so calmly. Apparently, it’s now getting big in Virginia! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers …
