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October 26, 2005
Not the Best at all...
FOOTBALL legend George Best is on a life support machine, bleeding internally and is deteriorating rapidly, according to his former wife Alex. His doctor said: "It may be an exaggeration to say that Mr Best is gravely ill. But he is certainly severely ill and is fighting for his life." October 21, 2005
Booing without prejudice..?
AFTER getting the red card from a mystery emailer for justifying the booing of Celtic's John Hartson by a section of the Norn Iron supporters at the recent Wales match, John Laverty wonders who fans can boo without accusations of sectarianism in a politically correct world. Were many eyebrows raised when other booing went on during the qualifiers? [more] October 18, 2005
Come on the Brirish!
Kevin Myers last week, just before the Republic's decider against Switzerland made some suggestions as to how the national question might be fixed in football. Have two teams, one for the UK, the other Irish, and let players and supporters follow their own passions. [more] October 17, 2005
New Lansdowne revealed
The designs for the new Lansdowne Road stadium have been revealed today (the real designs, not the fake ones that came from a 'feasibility study' last year). The design brief has the stadium on multiple levels on three sides, then swoops down on one end, so the D4 residents don't have to live in permanent shadow. Take a look for yourself here, here, here and here, and tell us what you think. October 15, 2005
Northern Ireland must recover its 'Celtic' roots
Interesting reflection from Andersonstown News editor Robin Livingstone on last weekend's Northern Ireland Wales match. He notes that all sports codes are in competition for new players and that, as things stand, few Catholics are making their way to Windsor Park. [more] October 13, 2005
Ireland faces a hard road ahead...
Richard Dunne was visibly 'gutted' after the Republic's exit from the World Cup. Although manager Brian Kerr is reportedly upbeat about the team's future, it seems as though in soccer Ireland (north and south) may have come to the end of an era which has lasted more than twenty years dating from about 1982 when Northern Ireland topped their group by beating Spain in Seville. [more] October 11, 2005
Changes a-footie..?
IFA president Jim Boyce has said it's time for a new anthem at Northern Ireland matches. He was voicing his disapproval of the booing of national anthems after the Welsh anthem was booed at Windsor Park on Saturday, an apparent response to the Welsh fans disrespecting the British national anthem when NI played in Cardiff. [more] October 10, 2005
Time for compromise (rules)
October is compromise season in the GAA, as you probably know. The annual double-header against the Aussie footballers gets the most publicity, but the games against Scotland's shinty players are interesting too. Ireland lost the first game 20-17, but this Scottish report on the game is worth reading if you're a hurling fan. October 08, 2005
Republic still in the game?
Brian Kerr's team need to win to keep the ball in play for next Wednesday. Half time they are up by one goal against Cyprus. October 07, 2005
Will the Welsh show respect - and will we..?
OVER at Our Wee Country, thoughts are turning to the national anthems that will be played tomorrow at Windsor Park. Could the Welsh booing of 'God Save the Queen' when NI played them in Cardiff lead to an especially loud 'No Surrender' from fans? Or will anyone take up this NI fan's suggestion that the unofficial addendum to 'the Queen' be replaced simply with 'Northern Ireland'? One Welsh fan on the board suggested the booing at the Millennium stadium was motivated by anti-English sentiment, but will our fans see it that way? All these and other questions to be answered later... That David Healy goal 
October 06, 2005
Sport now big money in Ireland
A new ESRI survey has found that sport contributes 1.4 billion euros to the Irish economy as well as contributing to social bonding, community involvement and the overall effective functioning of society. The ESRI singled out the GAA for particular praise, saying its culture of volunteering made it one of "great generators of social capital in Ireland". [more] October 05, 2005
Wilson tackles anthem, Queen leaving Windsor ...
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 Surrender' just before they 'send her victorious'! Wallowing in victory.... 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. October 02, 2005
In sport and politics, the Northerners are coming!
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. September 29, 2005
GAA: future engine for tourism?
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. September 27, 2005
Real joy for Ulster...
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! September 26, 2005
Seen in Croke Park, yesterday...
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. September 25, 2005
Tir Eoghain Abu
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. September 17, 2005
Northern Ireland's star rising fast
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. September 16, 2005
In praise of Northern Gaelic Football
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! How Republicans backed the wrong team 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. September 13, 2005
Out of New Orleans to... Windsor Park!
If you can face nothing else on Slugger this week, read this. September 12, 2005
England about to win the Ashes!
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. Big Game on DVD at eBay... 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 - after all, you can buy one on eBay already. Come on BBC, get with the programme! [more] September 09, 2005
Where were you..?
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. [more] September 08, 2005
Standing up for the Ulstermen...
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. [more] September 07, 2005
Just like watching Brazil...!
NORTHERN Ireland have just beaten the English football team 1-0 in one of the biggest upsets I can remember - unbelievable! Tight Irish matches in Belfast and Dublin 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 Scotland in Oslo! Whatever match you been watching, let us have your thoughts! |
Slugger O'Toole records news, commentary and diverse opinion on Northern Ireland. Produced by Mick Fealty News, tips or crits here: mick.fealty -at- gmail.com Topics a long peace?books Britain Conflict Culture Economy Education election 2003 Election 2005 Enviroment environment Europe Gaeilge Glossary Government Highlights Human Rights Humour International Manifesto Media Nationalism Negotiations Parties Policing Soapbox Society Sport the south unionism
Highlights
Out with the crystal ball...Just a Mo... Commenting Policy A backgrounder on the McCartney affair Northern Bank raid and political fallout, so far
Readers comments
More corrupt than last year? - (4)Living on an island or in a state? - (31) a combination of historical ignorance and monumental self-pity - (42) Payout time... - (4) New Lansdowne revealed - (24) Far right 'imagination'... - (13) Nazi comments were a sectarian slur - (3) The price of peacemaking... - (17) belfast metropolitan area plan unveiled - (23) Why (or rather how) Alec Reid was right... - (37)
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