“What’s rare is wonderful!”- RTÉ commentator George Hamilton celebrating John O’Shea’s 27th minute goal which saw Ireland take a 2-1 lead against Kazakhstan in the final qualifying round match for World Cup 2014.
Could O’Shea have made his last appearance for Ireland? [credit: eurocuppictures.com]That goal turned out to be the turning point of the match, a late own goal sealing the 3-1 victory in the final minutes. What Hamilton failed to mention was that O’Shea’s goal, his only competitive goal in a green shirt (he did score once before, against Australia in a 2003 friendly), was scored in what could very well be his last international match.
After breaking onto the scene at Manchester United (we all remember THAT nutmeg on Luis Figo), O’Shea established himself as the utility player in Alex Ferguson’s squad. Equally adept at playing anywhere across the back four, as a holding central midfielder (or even in goals), Johnno was partly a victim of his own adaptability.
After finally nailing down a spot in the heart of defence at his new club, the last thing O’Shea will want is to see the Black Cats relegated. He may feel that, with an in-coming Ireland manager and youngsters like Ciaran Clarke and Shane Duffy waiting to make the step up, now may be the time to call a halt on his Ireland career.
Many who play under Alex Ferguson tend to retire from the international game early, in an attempt to prolong their playing careers. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are just two of many who prioritised their club over their country, and looking at the ever-green United pair now it is hard to fault their choice.
Dunne’s retirement, if O’Shea does decide to call it a day, would give the new boss a serious hole to fill in the middle of his defence. With Clarke still learning the ropes, and Shane Duffy far from the finished article, it would fall to the supporting cast to fill the void.
Sean St Ledger would seem the obvious choice, but finding a partner for him wont be simple [credit: irishmirror.ie]While enough has been written on Paul McShane’s short-comings to fill several articles, he remains an integral part of the Ireland squad. With Darren O’Dea deemed unfit to serve in a poor Celtic team and now plying his trade in Toronto, Stephen Kelly a square peg in a round hole, and Damien Delaney nearly 33, it may indeed fall to the Hull City man to lead a new-look Ireland team into the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Keane: On the way out? [credit: 3football.ie]The two have enjoyed remarkably similar careers at club level and broken transfer records on several occasions over the years, but while Keane found stability with Tottenham Hotspur between 2002 and 2008 (where he scored over 100 goals) Bellamy has failed to ever settle, never spending more that four seasons at any one club.
Both are recognised as great leaders and senior statesmen for their national teams, though again Keane is far more prolific than his Welsh counter-part. The Ireland striker has scored 61 goals in 130 senior appearances, compared to Bellamy’s relatively tame tally of 19 goals and 73 caps, though it should be pointed out that injuries have curtailed Bellamy’s influence on the game, the Welshman failing to string more than 14 consecutive games together in his first 12 years as a professional. Keane, by comparison. has managed to avoid any major injuries through-out his career.
This gulf in numbers can be explained by the difference in the pair’s styles of play. Keane is more in the traditional poachers mould, cropping up to finish from a couple of yards and generally staying in-and-around the box, occasionally dropping deep to set up attacks and take the pressure off the midfield. Bellamy, on the other hand, relies on his pace, running at opposing defenders and regularly switching out onto the wing.
Bellamy and Keane have both also enjoyed extended runs as captains of their national teams, Robbie being handed the armband in 2006 while Craig succeeded Ryan Giggs as Wales captain a year later. Bellamy stood down as captain of Wales in January 2011 however, just two months after a divisive ‘club v country’ debate, citing injury troubles.
Indeed, Bellamy’s tendency to get himself in trouble (more than once) has affected his career for both club and country, his fiery disposition causing problems both on and off the field. Sir Bobby Robson, Bellamy’s manager while at Newcastle, once described him as “a great player wrapped round an unusual and volatile character”, and later commented that the Cardiff-born player “could start an argument with himself“. In contrast, Keane very rarely gets booked and is rarely in the news for anything other than his performances.
Bellamy in one of his last appearances for Wales [credit: mirror.co.uk]Bellamy has cited the need for young players to stand up and be counted as one of his reasons for retiring. With a new crop of Irish talent currently emerging and young strikers like Shane Long and Robbie Brady chomping at the bit, will Keane also decide that the time has come for him to step aside?
The eagerly awaited nominations for the 2013 GAA GPA All-Stars were announced this month, with the awards ceremony to be held, for the first time, in Croke Park on 8th November.
The awards process has always been subject to criticism, but in recent years have seen enough highly controversial decisions to bring the validity of the process into question.
This year especially was a vital one for the All-Stars credibility. After a footballing year that saw Monaghan come from nowhere to claim an Ulster title, Cavan shock the country on a run to Croke Park and London appear in their first ever Connacht final (not to mention a resurgent Tyrone team), it was a vintage year for the sport.
If football enjoyed a good year, it was nothing compared to the renaissance that gripped hurling this season. Clare’s fourth All-Ireland victory was just the tip of an iceberg that included Limerick bridging a 17-year gap to the Munster title, Dublin winning their first Leinster final in 52 years and an overthrowing of the traditional powers that saw Kilkenny, Galway and Tipperary fail to advance past the quarter-finals.
However, the nomination of Clare hero Shane O’Donnell for a place on the team of the year highlights one of the main problems afflicting the All Stars in previous seasons. While O’Donnell was unarguably the main factor in Clare’s victory over Cork in the All-Ireland replay and deservedly awarded the Man-of-the-Match, this does not warrant an All Star.
O’Donnell celebrates in the wake of Clare’s All-Ireland victory [credit: rte.ie]To be placed on the short-list for the team of the year after 65 minutes of playing time (O’Donnell was replaced by Darach Honan with five minutes remaining) undermines the entire nomination process, not to mention robbing those players who performed consistently over the year the opportunity to be recognised.
The failure of O’Donnell to be included on the Bord Gais Under-21 team of year, and yet still be nominated for its senior counterpart speaks volumes as to the lack of thought given to his selection.
This sentimentality and willingness to accommodate big names was also apparent in the football selections with the nominations of Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin) and Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone). Despite both players spending the vast majority of their years at midfield, O’Sullivan received his nomination in the half-backs and Cavanagh in the half-forwards.
Under the current rules, players are nominated in the positions they lined out in for the majority of the year, with the nominations being grouped into differing lines of the field (e.g. 3 keepers, 9 fullbacks, 9 halfbacks, 6 midfielders, etc.). While O’Sullivan and Cavanagh both had an outstanding year, the performances en route to the All-Ireland final of Aiden O’Shea and Michael Darragh MacAuley make the selection of the two midfield slots a mere formality.
While both players had stints in their nominated positions, this is more an excuse to shoe-horn O’Sullivan and Cavanagh into the team rather than a legitimate reason.
Situations such as these have arisen in the past, most notably in 2010. That year several questions were raised over Graham Canty’s inclusion at centre-back over Downs Kevin McKernan, despite the Corkmans year being plagued by injury. Add that to the fact that not one of the All-Ireland winning Cork forwards received an award compared to three from the Down side they defeated and the inconsistencies begin to pile up.
Last year, Bernard Brogan’s nomination ahead of the likes of Paddy McBrearty and Michael Conroy was seen as an example of the ‘big name bias’ many feel influences the All Star selection committee. Brogan had, by all accounts, a disappointing 2012 season, hampered as it was by injury and bad form, while McBrearty and Conroy were both pivotal in helping their respective side’s advance to the final.
The announcement of Kerry stalwart Tomas O’Se’s retirement from inter-county football last week threw up a remarkable statistic. Despite redefining the wing-back position, one of the greatest defenders of the modern era received only five All-Star awards during his 15-year career.
Kerry legend Tomas O’Se in action [credit: irishmirror.ie]While the All Stars garner great publicity for the GAA both here and over-seas, as well as affording players from so-called ‘weaker counties’ well-deserved recognition for their accomplishments, steps must be taken to improve the selection process before the scheme becomes a joke or, even worse, descends into Railway Cup levels of non-interest.
On the penultimate weekend of the Airtricity Premier League, there were wins for Bray, Dundalk, Sligo and Shamrock Rovers.
Bray won away to Bohs thanks to a Kieran Waters goal in the 76’ minute. The win was long overdue for the Wicklow men but still might not save them from the drop.
Anto Flood has been terrific for pats. credit goal.com
Dundalk coasted to a 4-0 victory over Cork at Oriel Park. ‘The Town’ opened the scoring through Player of the year Richie Towell in the 33’ Minute. Patrick Hoban doubled the advantage on 45’ minutes with a contender for goal of the season.
A John Kavanagh own goal just after the break confirmed Cork’s misery before John Dillion sealed a fantastic season for the Lilywhites.
League Champions St.Pats stumbled to a draw at home to Derry. The Candy-stripes fell behind to a Mc Namee goal in the 34’ minute but Anto Flood rescued a point with his 81st minute equailiser.
UCD suffered heavily to Rovers at home, the Tallaght men opened the scoring through Robinson in the eight minute before Gary Mc Cabe converted a penalty in the 11th minute.
The excellent Richie Towell. credit goal.com
Robbie Benson pulled one back for the students in the 64th minute before Mc Cabe and Stewart put the result beyond doubt.
On Saturday Sligo beat Drogheda 3-1. Anthony Elding celebrated two fine strikes in the 38th and 66th minute, the latter being a spot kick.
Evan Mc Millan made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute before Gavin Brennan pulled one back for the cup finalists albeit from a penalty.
This weekend sees the final round of games in what has been an excellent season for Irish domestic football.
There was lots of club action across Dublin and Ireland over the weekend. In the Dublin SFC there were wins for St. Jude’s, Ballymun, Ballyboden and St. Vincent’s.
St Jude’s overcame Parnells on a score line of 1-12 to 1-9
Ballymun-Kickhams advanced to the last four thanks to a Dean Rock inspired 0-15 to 0-7 victory over Raheny. 2011 champions St Brigid’s lost out to Ballyboden St Enda’s by five points, 2-13 to 1-11.
Dean rock will be hoping that Ballymun can go one further this year. credit sport.ie
St Sylvester’s battled valiantly but just fell short to the 2007 All-Ireland Club champion’s St Vincent’s. The Griffith Avenue based side beat Syl’s by 0-14 to 2-07.
In Armagh Crossmaglen made it 17 wins in 18 years following a nine point win over Cullyhanna, 0-17 to 0-8. Ireland captain Michael Murphy helps his Glenswilly side overcome Killybegs 3-19 to 2-6.
Burren lost out to Kilcoo 0-9 to 0-7 in Down, whilst in the AIB Ulster GAA Club Championship Preliminary Round Ballinderry (Derry) beat Clonoe (Tyrone) by four points 0-14 to 0-10.
Dr. Crokes beat Austin Stacks by 4-16 to 0-12 to claim a historic four in a row whilst in Limerick Monaleen lost by two points to Dromcollgher-Broadford 2-9 to 2-7.
In Waterford Stradbally were hammered by Ballinacourty 0-12 to 0-05.
Colm Cooper has never won a club All-Ireland. credit thescore.ie
Zach Tuhoy inspired Portlaoise to a 2-8 to 1-8 victory over Arles/Killeen. In Meath Summerhill beat Na Fianna 1-13 to 1-10.
In Hurling Mount Leinster Rangers claimed a 1-20 to 0-11 victory over St Mullins in Carlow whilst in Westmeath Castletown beat Geoghegan 1-12 to 0-11.
Oulart-The Ballagh beat Ferns St Aidan’s by two points, 3-12 to 1-16 whilst in Wicklow Glenealy beat Bray Emmets by 0-17 to 0-14.
Eircom has launched its new television service ‘eVision’ to its 450,000 fibre-powered broadband users.
The new television service has been introduced by the company to rival that of UPC and Sky. The introduction of Eircom to the television market makes the company the first in Ireland to be a ‘quad play’ (television, phone, broadband, mobile) supplier.
Speaking after a visit to Eircom headquarters where he saw a demonstration of the new eVision service Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said,
“I am delighted to see Eircom continue to roll out telecommunications fibre around the country.
“The new television service the company is launching today is a good illustration of the benefits that this investment can bring. This innovation should provide more choice for TV consumers, more competition driving down prices and a boost in demand for broadband services that are becoming available”.
The basic package offers 34 channels (8 terrestrial) for €10. Consumers can increase their subscription services with the addition of 20 extra channels for €6.
Sports packages are available for customers, with one pack consisting of Sky Sports 1 and 2 for an add-on fee of €29, while the Setanta/BT Sports package will cost an additional €19. Sky Movies is available for €24 and ‘eVision’ also offers a HD package for €5, with either 5 or ten high definition channels being offered depending on the existing subscription.
However a shortcoming of Eircom’s ‘eVision’ service is that it is only available via their fibre-powered broadband, therefore it must be purchased in conjunction with a broadband package, or by an existing broadband subscriber.
“This model doesn’t surprise me all that much,” said business consultant Adam Steadman, in relation to customers having to be a broadband subscriber to avail of ‘eVision’.
“Most of the companies in that market offer all of the three – TV, internet, phone. UPC change an excess on their internet if you don’t have their phone or TV, so I assume Eircom are using this ploy to encourage people to move their internet and TV in one”.
Some other shortcomings in the ‘eVision’ service is the exclusion of ITV/UTV from its channels, as well as there being no on demand tv, no catch-up service, no integrated iplayers, and no integrated box sets, all of which are included in UPC or Sky digital services.
UPC customer Gwen Clack-Goodall said that her current service is “Ok” but that she still would not switch to Eircom’s ‘eVision’.
“The price is good, but with no catch-up service or on-demand I see no point changing. The catch-up and on-demand services are a brilliant idea. I wouldn’t watch half the amount of TV I do without them.”
It begs the question why a technology entrepreneur like Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of amazon.com, would be interested in gripping the controls of the flailing pages of the Washington Post.
Bezos is a techie, graduating in 1986 with a degree in computer science and electrical engineering, and working in Wall Street before establishing amazon.com.
Whatever will he do with it? Photo by Esther Vargas/clasesdeperiodismo/Flickr
With print circulation in the Washington Post in decline, Bezos may simply have bought the paper because he can, for prestige. He may see himself as a media baron of the digitised type, the likes we haven’t seen before. A saviour (of sorts) of an extinguishing news form, to an intangible format – an eNews reader, perhaps.
But, I hear you say, what about media‘s role in democracy? Who will hold our institutions to account if technology controls the dissemination of our news content, and neoliberal ideology surges forth with profit as the mainstay?
Harry Browne, lecturer in the School of Media at Dublin Institute of Technology said “it would be a mistake to assume that something really profound is going on here or that Bezos has definite plans beyond the acquisition of an interesting plaything”, adding “rich people who have no connection to journalism have been buying into newspapers for generations”.
However, from a business perspective, entrepreneurs like Bezos don’t buy a floundering newspaper or any other business, without some type of plan to make it viable; after all, “a man without a plan is not a man”, according to philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Bezos’ corporate technology skills may have the answer to monetising digital news on the Internet, thus providing a much sought-after model for the survival of news organisations, while adding to his fortune. If they do, he is keeping it very quiet.
Bezos and amazon.com have been accused of undermining the book trade in Ireland, where literature and books are held in high esteem. Book shops find it difficult to compete with the online retailer and both Hughes and Hughes and Waterstones have closed down in the last couple of years. In 2012 in the UK, one book shop per week closed down.
Earlier this month, France approved a law to protect independent book shops from online retailers like Amazon, who discount new books and sell them to consumers with free delivery; the Irish government should do the same.
Nevertheless, Nick Mansfield, owner of Bookmart and Game Xchange on Talbot Street, the longest established independent game and book shop in Dublin, uses Amazon to his advantage. “I sell books and video games on Amazon and even though the postage can cost €5, it is still worth it”, he said, “and we don’t need our own website”, he added.
Mansfield’s book shop has been on Talbot Street for more than 20 years, but like most retailers, the continuing difficult economic climate has taken its toll. “It’s Saturday afternoon and the shop is quiet”, Mansfield said.
Bezos has some hand-held device up his sleeve and it may not be altogether democratic or media friendly. He is aware reading on a screen for long periods of time is not something we like to do, hence his new Kindle Paper White, with a high contrast screen display and dark text against a brilliant white background; perfect for reading the news.
It was a sad day on Grafton Street today as former employees of Wallis Retail (Ireland) Ltd picketed outside its doors in objection to the closure of the chain store.
Tomorrow, 19th October, Wallis, which is a part of the Arcadia multiples Ireland Group, is closing its Grafton Street store and making its staff redundant as part of a deal to sub-let its store to another high street retailer.
Long-term employees of the Arcadia Group store will now be left jobless from today.
According to accounts filed by Wallis, the company recorded a €2.12 million pre-tax loss last year.
The Mandate Trade Union have asked Wallis to adhere to a prior agreement of five weeks redundancy per year worked.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful, what is happening here. Some of us have been here for ten years,” explains Melanie Rooney, a former loyal employee of Wallis on Grafton Street.
“Some of the people here have kids and families to support and we were told last week the shop is closing tomorrow.”
“All we want is for our disputes to be heard to be treated fairly with the respect we deserve.”
Melanie Rooney and her collegue picketing outside Wallis in the rain on Grafton St yesterday.
The company have also refused an invitation from the State’s industrial body, the Labour Relations Commission, to attend a conciliation conference in an effort to resolve all of the issues in dispute.
This closure is happening is happening despite the group paying a dividend of €92 million to their owners in 2012.
It is to assign its sub-lease to another UK retail chain, Cath Kidston, which specialises in floral print handbags and homeware.
Dublin claimed the treble in 2013, the National league, Another Leinster crown and the coveted Sam Ma Guire.
How and why did the Dubs have such a fine season, after Mayo exposed them in last summer’s All-Ireland semi-final?
Jim Gavin took over from Pat Gilroy and introduced lots of youth into the metropolitan’s side. Jack McCaffery, Paul Manion and Ciaran Kilkenny to name but a few.
Dublin topped the league table and set up a league final meeting with Tyrone. In a magnificent game of football Dublin won by the minimum, 0-16 to 0-15.
Five weeks later Gavin’s boys overcame Westmeath quite easily on a score line of 1-22 to 0-09.
Kildare and Kieran Mc Geeney were next to challenge; a goal from Tomas O Connor inside the first minute gave the Lillywhites a great platform but Dublin hit back with four goals of their own to hammer Kildare by 16 points, 4-16 to 1-09.
Bernard Brogan is a hero for the Dubs. credit liberty.ie
For the third year in a row Meath were in the Leinster final, having only been outdone by a Bernard Brogan goal in 2012 the Royals were full of confidence. And after an excellent first half Meath looked to be on their way as they lead by four at the break.
Second half goals from Paul Manion and Bernard brogan, however, ended Meath hopes as Dublin won their 52nd title.
In the All-Ireland quarter final Dublin had 85% of the possession, six clear cut goal chances and hit the post on a couple of occasions and still only managed to beat Cork by five points, 1-16 to 0-09. It was in this game that the Dubs showed their real strength as a force in Gaelic games.
In the semi-final Colm Cooper showed why he is the greatest player of all time with a virtuoso display. However the great man’s efforts couldn’t stop the champions elect as they ran out winners by seven points, 3-18 to 3-11.
Dublin before the All-Ireland final. credit john mulhollandbookmaker
In the final, the biggest in history if you believe the hype, Mayo were hoping to bridge a 62 year wait for Sam. In the first 25 minutes Mayo were sharper, hungrier, fitter and more coherent but their failure to convert their chances in scores coupled with Bernard Brogan’s first goal eight minutes before the break shattered James Horans’ side.
Another Brogan goal in the second half cancelled out Andy Moran’s earlier strike and the Dub’s were celebrating their second title in three seasons and 24th in total.
Sopain are still the team to beat. credit telegraph.co.uk
As the dust settles on another world cup qualifying campaign, nine of Europe’s 13 teams are getting their bags ready for Brazil 2014.
Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia, Switzerland and the Netherlands will all be jetting off next may for the biggest world cup ever.
Despite drawing at home to Wales, in their final game, the Belgians won their group quite easily and with Kompany at the back Hazard, Lakaku and Benteke they look like a real force for the Brazilian world cup.
The Germans beat Ireland 9-1 over the two games and have so many options all over the park. Neuer in goal is as good as there is, Boetang and Dante are solid at the back, Lahm, Muller, Gotze, Kroos, Ozil and Gomez can all make 90 minutes seem like an eternity.
The Italians will be hoping to collect their fifth Jules Rimet trophy. The Azzuri are always a threat and having reached the final of Euro 2012 are not to be discarded. Buffon, De rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio and Ballotelli will all take looking after.
The Jules Rimet trophy. credit the liberty.ie
The defending European and world champions took a spanking from Brazil at the confederations cup in June and with Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta all aging Spain might not be favourite to retain the prize they collected in Johannesburg in 2010.
England under Hodgson looks more like a team than individuals. Hart, Baines, Carrick, Gerrard and Wilshire all lay a great foundation for the attacking threats of Townend, Rooney, Sturidge and Wellbeck. Don’t forget Walcott and the Ox either.
Bosnia, Russia and Switzerland will all come to the table as first seeds but can’t really expect much more than a last 16 appearance.
And finally the Dutch, My personal tip for International footballs greatest honour. If they click at even 15% of what their capable of they could cruise to victory but if their pre-tournament antics continue they might not even score a goal.
![Could O'Shea have made his last appearance for Ireland? [credit: eurocuppictures.com]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/john-oshea1.jpg?ssl=1)
![Sean St Ledger would seem the obvious choice, but finding a partner for him wont be simple [credit: irishmirror.ie]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/sean-st-ledger1.jpg?ssl=1)
![Keane: On the way out? [credit: 3football.ie]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/robbie-keane1.jpg?ssl=1)
![Bellamy in one of his last appearances for Wales [credit: mirror.co.uk]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/craig-bellamy1.jpg?ssl=1)
![O'Donnell celebrates in the wake of Clare's All-Ireland victory [credit: rte.ie]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/shane-odonnell1.jpg?ssl=1)
![[credit: irishmirror.ie]](https://i0.wp.com/thecity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/tomas-ose1.jpg?ssl=1)
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