While Cork got off to a good start (leading 0-5 to 0-3 after 20 minutes or so), once Roscommon settled into the game a series of scores before half-time laid the foundation for a big win. On another day the margin might not have been so substantial. Cork did miss a lot of chances, and struck the crossbar twice with goal attempts. But Roscommon were good value for their big win. It was good to see the attack flowing again, good too to see Roscommon being ruthless.

This was a performance which essentially banishes the memory of an unsatisfactory outing in Navan, where Roscommon lost to Meath. Whether it’s akin to the setback of Navan or the commanding display of last weekend in Cork, there will, as Van Morrison sang, be days like this.

The main thing is that the trend is good. It’s now four wins from five for Roscommon in Division Two. A real positive of this league campaign to date is the breadth of options now available to Davy Burke, with new players doing really well and established first-teamers returning in fine form.

Introducing…  the ‘Meath Mourinho’

Meath senior football manager Robbie Brennan has a colourful, straight-talking style. His team is flying. Last Sunday, Conor Duke scored a controversial late goal (allegedly it came three seconds after the hooter had sounded) to secure a win over Westmeath.

Here’s what Brennan had to say about the finale to the game when asked by LMFM Radio: “I don’t know… I was giving out to the linesman like I was for most of the half so I didn’t actually see it, all I know is when Dukey rattled the net I was gone off like Jose Mourinho down the line like a mad man.”

The ‘Meath Mourinho’ was just as open when saying this of the new rules: “My own honest opinion is they’ve lost the run of what we’re trying to do. The whole idea here was to try and protect the game and we’re not doing that. That’s not Gaelic football… you turn your phone on and it’s 17-0 to somebody, it’s a joke to be honest with you the way it’s gone. It’s a mix of outdoor basketball with a breeze, soccer-style defending with eleven behind the ball in zonal stuff, and a bit of rugby thrown in for a few scrums around the middle – God forbid we forget our rugby brethren”.

Brilliant!

Wishing CBS well on Sunday

Roscommon CBS is a school with a proud sporting tradition. For decades, that was primarily in GAA terms, but like other schools in the region, Roscommon CBS now excels across a range of sports.

This Sunday in Longford, the current CBS Gaelic football team is on the cusp of greatness. After a fine campaign during which they have grown in confidence – impressing more and more in each outing – they enter an All-Ireland final with every chance of success. It won’t be easy however. Patrician High School (County Monaghan) have their own proud tradition, their own impressive journey this season to inspire them, and their own legitimate dreams of glory this weekend.

It’s likely to be close. It seems certain that the title will go to the hungriest team, provided they have a bit of luck on their side too. All of County Roscommon is behind the CBS. We wish the players, management and all at the school every success on Sunday. (See our preview on pages 38-44).

Don’t forget your ladder

(five years ago)

Five years ago this month, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressed the Irish people on the immediate threat posed by the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. The main concern then, and in the perilous months that followed, was for the health and welfare of our people. It was a health crisis, and very soon it was an economic one, and a wider societal nightmare.

Very quickly, sport was impacted greatly. The sporting world as we knew it came crashing down, with hundreds of sports forced to cancel competitions.

Massive international events such as the summer Olympics and Paralympics of 2020 were postponed and ultimately not held that year.

At first, the absence of competitive sporting action was a terrible blow for supporters. The only consolation was that TV companies, radio stations and podcast presenters stepped in with some creative ideas.

Suddenly, watching Alan Shearer (yes, even Alan Shearer) and Gary Lineker and other pundits such as Ian Wright and Micah Richards select their ‘Top 10s’ (players, matches, goals, etc) was a saviour for fans bereft because of the abrupt absence of live action. Suddenly, Aan Shearer was Billy Connolly (well, not quite).

Then there was a limited amount of live sport being  played ‘behind closed doors’, i.e. with no spectators present. This was very welcome, although the lack of atmosphere undoubtedly took from the viewing experience. Still, we were grateful for some competitive sport to enjoy.

When GAA club games resumed, the novelty of an Irish solution to an Irish problem brought some amusement, with photos appearing of innovative supporters (a handful at least) bringing ladders to venues and catching some of the action by glimpsing over walls. One fan even placed a ladder against the wall in St Coman’s cemetery so that he could view a game in Dr Hyde Park!

Yes, it’s not a dream… we lived through such times.

The name game…

I see that Cusack Park in Clare is to be renamed ‘Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg’. Our thoughts are with our colleagues in the local media in Clare; we are here for them at this difficult time.

Costello shines in Spain

Olivia Costello’s tremendous progress continues. The Roscommon Town golfer had a sensational week at the Women’s Spanish Amateur Championship, underlining her class.

After a fantastic run in earlier rounds, Olivia reached last Sunday’s final, where she met Nagore Martinez Salcedo of Spain.

The Roscommon golfer went two holes up after four, and led by three after the first nine. However, the home golfer began to rein Costello in, finally making it all square after 15. The duo shared holes 16 and 17 before the Spaniard won the 18th, taking the title by the narrowest of margins.

This was a wonderful performance (all week) by Olivia Costello. It was a magnificent achievement to finish runner-up in this tournament, having defeated several top players in a high-quality field.

Serial winner Higgins spanning the decades

When John Higgins won his first professional snooker tournament (1994), it was the year of OJ Simpson’s arrest, Bill Clinton was US president, the first episode of Friends was released in America, and Tony Blair was elected leader of the Labour Party in the UK.

Last weekend, Higgins became the oldest winner of a ranking tournament in 43 years, just short of his 50th birthday (in May).

Higgins defeated Joe O’Connor 10-6 in the final of the World Open, played in China. He did it in style too, winning the decisive frame with a century break.

Higgins is now the second-oldest winner of a ranking tournament in snooker history; the distinction of being oldest winner still lies with the late Ray Reardon, who was 50 when he won the Professional Players’ Tournament in 1982.

Playing to the crowd!

Here’s an annoying thing that some soccer players do (I’m sure readers will agree).

It’s a home game. Let’s say their team has been under pressure for 5/10 minutes… basically they’re being outplayed. Player X makes a good defensive tackle, or perhaps an average run forward which wins a throw, or a corner.

Then, in order to draw attention to the fact that it was their play that broke the other team’s momentum – however unspectacularly – Player X simply (but prominently) gestures to the crowd with their arms. It comes across as a rallying gesture, demanding more vocal support from the stands, while ensuring to convey the message that it was Player X who has suddenly lifted the whole team.

I’m sure there are times when this type of thing is totally genuine and heartfelt, but there are also times when it’s self-serving, opportunistic attention-seeking!

The post Cork sunk as Roscommon back on track appeared first on Roscommon People.

The genius of Gene

Gene Hackman was probably my favourite movie actor. He is unquestionably in the pantheon of greats, up there with Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and many others, not forgetting the best of the stars of earlier eras such as James Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, etc.

Others, like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, were great personal favourites of mine, but I can honestly say that Hackman was probably the actor who most captivated me. There was a period in the 1990s when he seemed to dominate our screens, producing consistently brilliant performances, often across varying genres.

Amongst his greatest roles were those in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and the chilling Mississippi Burning. I only discovered recently that he had a terrific cameo appearance (well worth checking out on YouTube) in the Mel Brooks comedy, Young Frankenstein.

A wonderful actor with an electrifying screen presence, Gene Hackman was undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in movie history.

Hackman (95) and his wife, Betsy Arakawa (65) were found dead at their home today. An investigation is underway. May they rest in peace.

FRIDAY

Oval and out

An otherwise normal Friday evening has just been hijacked by events ‘stateside’. Everyone’s talking about the row in the White House. President Trump and Vice-President Vance have humiliated Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky during extremely tense exchanges in the Oval Office. It made for very unpleasant viewing. Within minutes, Zelensky had departed.

I can recall seeing American presidents, going back to the era of the late Jimmy Carter, welcoming world leaders to the White House, and such events were always conducted with dignity and diplomacy, regardless of how strained relations might actually be.

What just happened in the Oval Office is unprecedented, not that I can agree with glum political commentator Larry Donnelly (reacting on Today FM’s The Last Word as I write), who seems to think it’s the end of civilisation (well, almost).

The meeting between Zelensky and Trump/Vance in front of the media was actually going fine for about half an hour. Then Zelensky to some degree ‘poked the bear’ in its own cave.

When the Ukrainian president started presenting his historical perspective of Russia’s treatment of Ukraine, and then challenged the vice-president on what he meant by diplomatic measures, it sparked a disproportionately fierce response from Vance. Trump took his cue from Vance’s outburst. The reservations – indeed personal enmity – both Trump and Vance have when it comes to Zelensky unleased a tirade of abuse.

It’s clear that Trump has lost patience with what he depicts as freeloading by Zelensky, while Vance unconvincingly implied that the Ukrainian president is not sufficiently grateful for US support (the evidence suggests otherwise).

These differences of opinion should have been articulated behind closed doors. Did they deliberately trap their guest in public? Perhaps. Zelensky was combative, but he was treated as no Head of State should be. This public dressing down was an example of low standards in high places.

SATURDAY

Pat Ingoldsby (RIP)

I was sorry to hear of the passing today of the unique poet/children’s TV presenter, Pat Ingoldsby. He was 82.

Known for his quirky writing style, he was a free spirit who often seemed to view the world through the eyes of a child. His poems and books were usually humorous, but many were poignant and moving too.

Growing up in Rooskey in the 1970s and ‘80s, I was always drawn to Pat Ingoldsby’s columns in the Evening Press, knowing that I would be reading some ‘off-centre’ view of the world. He lifted hearts and put smiles on faces.

At his peak, there was a heart-warming zaniness to his observations that was reminiscent of Spike Milligan. Here, in full, is an Ingoldsby three-liner on death:

DYING

‘If it was good enough
for Johnny Cash
it’ll do me’

SATURDAY 

The ego has landed

Former champion boxer Chris Eubank was a guest on The Tommy Tiernan Show tonight. It was a pretty extraordinary appearance.

Courteously told by the show host that he was coming across as egotistical, Eubank seemed startled, and huffed that he had been invited on to the show (“Your team asked me to come and see you”).

Always a bit on the eccentric side, Eubank appeared to be in full attention-seeking mode in this outing, regularly referring to himself in the third person as he spoke (at length) about spirituality (and what most viewers would consider his strange interpretation of it). Tiernan displayed commendable patience. Mind you, I still find Eubank likeable; people like him add variety to life.

While it felt like the most awkward chat show interview I’ve seen in years, somehow it managed to be only the second weirdest ‘TV moment’ of the week…

SUNDAY

The Oscar goes to…

The Oscars are a hard watch, so I can’t watch… all of the annual ceremony. No chance. But credit where it’s due, first-time host Conan O’Brien was excellent.

MONDAY

Rudest ratings

Reflecting further on Oval Officegate, it strikes me that an unquestionably rude Donald Trump was actually only the third rudest person in the room!

I’d give the runner-up spot to smug reporter Brian Glenn, who saw the way the wind was blowing and decided to have his own populist pop at President Zelensky.

Sneering Glenn had the cheek to pitch in with: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit?”

Rudest person in the room on the day? That ‘accolade’ undoubtedly goes to the insufferably arrogant JD Vance. The vice-president was more annoying than President Trump, and much of the blame for the unseemly episode can be laid at his feet.

TUESDAY

Morning, Jim!

When I tuned into Morning Ireland (RTE Radio 1) midway through a discussion between Darren Frehill and Jim Gavin on the new Gaelic football rules, the atmosphere between them seemed ever so slightly strained.

At one point a polite but firm Jim said: “You’re the journalist”, following up with “You obviously haven’t read the data…”

Happily, they seemed to get back on track. Then Darren wrapped up the interview: “Our thanks to Jim… McGuinness.”

The post Paul Healy’s Week – 7/3/25 appeared first on Roscommon People.

I know, but uncomfortable all the same…

But you couldn’t take your eyes off it!

There was some tension in the room!

It was pretty amazing… the most tense meeting I’ve seen in years!

It started off fine… then the macho stuff kicked in!

Suddenly the body language changed, and you could cut that tension with a knife! All that talk about ego…

Eh, yeah…

It must have been a strange experience for the folks with the cameras, filming it…

Not to mention for the rest of us looking in from our living rooms… our jaws on the floor!

It’s not often you see such an awkward public stand-off between two men.

Well, THREE if you count Vance…

Huh?

Zelensky, Trump AND Vance… like, there were three egos at play!

HUH?

I’m just saying there were three involved… Trump and Vance, and to a lesser degree Zelensky…

Trump and Vance? And Zelensky? THAT awkward exchange? Oh no… I’ve been talking about Tommy Tiernan v Chris Eubank!

(They pause to watch a recording of last weekend’s Tommy Tiernan Show in which former boxer Chris Eubank made bizarre statements while also challenging his very patient host when questioned about ego)

Well… that was short notice…

What?

That gathering in the local on Sunday night…

Oh yeah, it was good craic…

In our WhatsApp group, Casey called it an emergency meeting… I think he billed it ‘Rules and stools’…

It could have been worse… he could have gone with ‘Rules and fools’…

Indeed! So, to explain to our readers… Casey invited a few of us to the local to sit on our barstools and discuss the debate that has arisen about the new Gaelic football rules…

Do you think Casey panicked a bit?

Huh?

I mean, we beat Cork by 14 points on Saturday, I think those new rules are suiting us!

I know! But there was some resistance suddenly voiced to them at the weekend, and Casey felt we  should review them ourselves… over a pint or two!

It was funny when he started the role play in the bar!

Yeah! He had me as a goalkeeper… and asked you to time my imaginary kickouts!

Then the pub bore asked those lads from Oran to demonstrate the ‘3 up’ rule…

I felt the barman was getting frustrated when we began to use barstools as midfield players…

Definitely! Why do you think we didn’t get a late drink?!

Remind me?

Because the barman played us at our own game… he sounded a hooter 10 minutes after closing time!

The post Awkward TV moments… and those Gaelic football rule changes appeared first on Roscommon People.

Careful what you vote for

Catching up on last Sunday’s newspapers (now that our own publication is gone to bed), I see Jeremy Clarkson – a bit of a national treasure for millions of people – remains steadfastly gloomy about the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Here’s Jeremy, writing in The Sunday Times of a recent trip abroad: “I have crossed many tricky borders over the years, and the paperwork always takes time. Iraq to Turkey took a moment, that’s for sure. And Rwanda into Tanzania was challenging as well. But nothing has ever taken as long as it took us to get from post-Brexit England into France.”

Lamenting that he and a film crew had to stand in a passport queue “behind three million Nigerians and a planeload of confused people from Japan”, he adds that this all unfolded while his partner was texting him “by the pool with a glass of wine because she’s Irish.”

Noting that Lord (Alan) Sugar has said if he was Prime Minister he’d crawl on his hands and knees over to EU HQ and “beg to be let back in”, Clarkson says he’d happily go with him – but is worried their knees mightn’t hold up well.

THURSDAY

EastEnders at 40 

One night about nine or ten years ago, I had a few pints in Roscommon town in the company of a Londoner who worked as a scriptwriter on EastEnders. A very pleasant man, he was visiting Roscommon with a cousin of mine.

Some of you will be aware of the much-hyped 40th anniversary celebrations of the BBC’s famous ‘soap’. The storylines over the past week or so have been building up towards tonight’s special live episode.

Now it would have been nice if the current residents of Albert Square had just gathered in ‘The Vic’ for a jolly knees-up tonight, but that’s not the EastEnders way.

Instead, the pub was destroyed by a gas explosion. Several patrons were trapped. They included pregnant Sonia, whose killer boyfriend caused the accident (by driving into some gas cylinders). As fate would have it, he died when a bathtub (loosened by the explosion) fell on top of him. Stoic Sonia, fresh out of jail herself (after being wrongly suspected of murder), overcame the trauma of the destruction of the pub – and witnessing her awful boyfriend’s death-by-bathtub – to give birth to her baby… all while surrounded by rubble, and her screeching, brandy-swigging half-sister (Bianca).

Meanwhile, Kathy Beale saves Cindy’s life, notwithstanding that Cindy was brandishing a gun at her hours earlier. While all this drama was unfolding, Grant Mitchell was back on Albert Square for the first time in nine years. Ross Kemp’s agent deserves a pay rise, because the actor did very little other than wander around his old Walford haunts while perfecting that ‘soap stare’ we are all familiar with.

The cast (and crews) were superb in tonight’s brilliantly delivered live episode, which sadly ended with the demise of one of the good guys, Albert Square veteran Martin Fowler, who died of kidney failure and cardiac arrest after being crushed under a girder (but not before proposing to his ex-wife Stacey).

Looking back, given all the drama at the Queen Vic, I probably should have lowered expectations when I took that member of the EastEnders team of writers to a couple of pubs in Roscommon all those years ago!

FRIDAY

Chris, Graham… and Boyle

On the always entertaining Graham Norton Show (BBC One) Roscommon-born actor Chris O’Dowd once again provided a promotion of his native Boyle that would cost a fortune in a formal marketing campaign.

Chris, long established as a terrific chat show guest, told the show’s millions of viewers – and guests including Ewan McGregor and Kate Hudson – of Boyle’s charm, highlighting the annual arts festival there, while adding that it’s the “UFO capital of the word”.

That latter claim related to the interest in UFOs of a number of Boyle residents, largely inspired by the late Betty Meyler, a resident of the town who was President of the UFO Society of Ireland.

O’Dowd, currently promoting Small Town, Big Story – his new six-part series which will debut on Sky from this Thursday, February 27^th – finished his unofficial Boyle promotion by telling Kate Hudson that her mother, the great Goldie Hawn, would be very welcome to the town any time!

SATURDAY

A French farce?

Sometimes, fact really is stranger than fiction…

It would have been an ideal sub-plot in a comedy caper on TV, but the following is apparently a true story. According to multiple news sources today, thieves in France stole a man’s credit card. One of the geniuses in the gang then used said stolen credit card to buy lottery scratch cards. One of those cards yielded the top prize… a tasty €500,000.

The gang, still obviously on the run, vanished before cashing in. Unfortunately for them, the owner of the stolen credit card – now aware of the lotto win – contacted the media.

Imagine how quiet the gang member who bought the lotto ticket must have gone when one of his associates explained the dilemma they were now in. How do the French fugitives cash in their €500,000 windfall… without their identity being traced?

Very helpfully, the man (Jean-David) whose card was stolen, has made an offer to the criminals: if they come forward, he will split the €500,000 with them. Nice one.

As a fan of puns (bad and otherwise), I was delighted to read that Jean-David is from… Toulouse. Yes, form an orderly queue with your puns… he has much Toulouse, the criminal gang stand Toulouse half a million, etc. Perhaps they’ll work out a compromise.

As of today, the French lottery folks say no one has claimed the prize yet. Quelle surprise…

SATURDAY/SUNDAY

Weekend sport

It was a busy weekend on the sporting front for local teams. In ladies football, Roscommon came so close to a great win, but Donegal’s late, late goal (a penalty) earned the visitors a draw in Johnstown.

Our senior football and hurling teams both lost, but there were great wins for Roscommon CBS (football), and for the county camogie team. For more, see our sports section.

MONDAY

Missing Matt

So, I turned on the radio twice today and Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy wasn’t talking on either occasion. I can only assume I need a new radio…

The post Paul Healy’s Week – 28/02/25 appeared first on Roscommon People.

8.55 pm: After a wide-ranging phone call, during which they discussed a number of key topics (later describing the talks as ‘constructive’), the boyos make a definitive call: they won’t be going to the pub tonight.

9 pm: Prior to the start of the RTE Nine O’Clock News, there’s a promo for the Late Late Show which – extraordinarily – seems to have a slightly familiar vibe to it: ‘COMING UP AFTER THE NEWS! KATHRYN THOMAS, MARIO ROSENSTOCK, DOIREANN GARRIHY…’

9.35 pm: The boyos order two pints in the local…

SUNDAY NIGHT

The boyos are nursing two creamy pints, reflecting on a long day in Navan…

What a fiasco!

Huh?

You, in Navan, earlier today! You brought us bad luck!

Oh stop going on about it!

Seven minutes into the second half and you start shouting… ‘This game is over! We’re six up! I’m going to the clubhouse for a mineral!’

Okay, okay, so I took a brief break…

Yeah, you were away for two minutes, and by the time you came back, Roscommon had conceded two goals! I think when you got up to move, it might have distracted our players!

Really?

Next time, stay where you are! PLEASE!

EARLIER THIS WEEK…

I see Elon Musk is still on the rampage!

Huh?

Trump’s self-styled financial sheriff is continuing his cost-cutting DOGE clampdown!

So what exactly does DOGE stand for?

Department of Government Efficiency.

Okay, but I’m not that interested…

NOT INTERESTED? That’s exactly when we need here!

Huh?
At the moment, our version of DOGE is… Department of GROTESQUE expenditure! Or Department of GIGANTIC expenditure!

Huh?

Haven’t you heard… about the latest crazy spend by our masters?

Nope!

At the National Gallery, they only went and purchased an x-ray scanner for €124k… eight years ago… but it’s never been used, because they don’t have room for it!

Oh dear! When you add in the €322k for the bike shed at Leinster House, that’s almost half a million of our money for a shed that doesn’t necessarily keep bikes dry, and a scanner with no home!

Yes! So we need change! And we need accountability! And we need transparency! In fact, we need to see every detail of Government/State expenditure!

Yeah, we need the ultimate x-ray scanner! A machine that shows us what’s really going on!

The post We need an x-ray scanner that shows us what’s really going on! appeared first on Roscommon People.

At the end of an entertaining, high-scoring game, Roscommon are clear front-runners in Division Two of the Allianz Football League, sitting on top of the table with a 100% record. There’s still work to do of course, but for now, Operation Promotion is seamlessly successful.

The headlines have been dominated this week by Diarmuid Murtagh. That’s as it should be. Attacking prowess is being rewarded in Gaelic football’s new guise. Two-pointers are a valuable new currency. Murtagh kicked four of those on Sunday, as well as four of the type conceived 140-odd years ago by Michael Cusack & Co. The biggest compliment I might pay Diarmuid is to say that his 12-point contribution doesn’t entirely surprise anyone in these parts.

There was an important cameo too from Conor Cox, the Éire Óg ace scoring three points (one two-pointer) when the game was still in the balance late on. Meanwhile, Conor Hand (0-3) pierced the Monaghan defence with clinical incisions, his pace igniting the stadium on an afternoon that was quickly shedding its drabness.

Roscommon’s strength in depth has been an impressive factor in securing their wins against Down, Louth and Monaghan.

Canavan talking up Donegal!

Peter Canavan and Cora Staunton are two legends of the GAA. As pundits, they’re not the most exciting, but then maybe it’s no harm that we’re in a post Brolly/hySpillane era where calm (if sometimes boring) analysis has replaced bluster and hyperbole.

On Sunday night’s Allianz League Sunday (RTE 2) Canavan ventured that Donegal are current favourites to win the All-Ireland.

“It was as good a performance as I have seen from Donegal in a long time,” Canavan said after the Ulster side’s win over Armagh, a victory that, ominously for all other counties, featured the return (from retirement in late 2022) of the great Michael Murphy.

Con, Paddy and Mikey…

The recent tributes to the late Paddy Cullen were heartfelt – and very apt. The former Dublin goalkeeper was a star on the field, a great ambassador for the GAA off the pitch, and a thorough gentleman in everyday life who always had a great welcome for supporters visiting his pub in Ballsbridge.

His passing (aged 80) inevitably led to many commentators referencing the late Con Houlihan’s famous description of Mikey Sheehy’s goal against Dublin in the 1978 All-Ireland final.

I will jump on the bandwagon and, for the benefit of my readers, happily reproduce Con’s great words. The context is as follows: Dublin goalkeeper Paddy Cullen has just conceded a free a short distance from goal. Accordingly, he is off his line, and about to be the victim of a moment of brilliance from Kerry’s Sheehy. Con takes up the story:

‘Whatever the reason, Paddy put on a show of righteous indignation that would get him a card from Equity, throwing his hands to heaven as the referee kept pointing towards goal.

  ‘And while all that was going on, Mikey Sheehy was running up to take the kick – and suddenly Paddy dashed back towards his goal like a woman who smells a cake burning.

  ‘The ball won the race and it curled inside the near post as Paddy crashed into the outside of the net and lay against it like a fireman who returned to find his own station ablaze’.

Can Arsenal catch Liverpool?

To state the obvious, only Arsenal have any chance of catching Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. As I write (before Aston Villa v Liverpool on Wednesday night), Arne Slot’s team are seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal. Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea, etc have no chance.

Liverpool have been outstanding this season and are rightly strong favourites to take the title. But it’s not over just yet. Liverpool have a few potentially tricky games coming up, and the fact that they still have to play Arsenal gives the Gunners hope.

Liverpool could drop points… the real question is: can Arsenal keep winning? The likelihood is that both teams will drop points. The gap may well narrow, but Liverpool should take the title.

Those potentially tricky games for the leaders include away trips to Manchester City (this Sunday, February 23rd) and Chelsea (May 3rd). They also have to go to Fulham.

Their home game against a reinvigorated Everton (April 2^nd) looks set to be a highly charged encounter, given how tempestuous last week’s drawn derby at Goodison Park was. The showdown with Arsenal is at Anfield on May 10^th.

The late

Matt Doyle

Matt Doyle, who died earlier this month at the age of 70, arguably single-handedly put Irish tennis into a place of credibility.

While he was born in the US, Doyle chose Ireland as his nationality for professional tennis, both his parents being Irish.

He rose to world number 65, won the 1983 Cologne Grand Prix, played in all four Grand Slam events – reaching the fourth round of the US Open – and represented Ireland for many years in the Davis Cup.

That US Open run in 1984 was only brought to an end by the great John McEnroe.

Doyle was credited with putting Irish tennis on a new level and has been described as the most successful Irish player of the modern era.

Patrick Barclay (RIP)

The death of Patrick Barclay (at the age of 77) was announced on Friday. Barclay was one of a generation of great British sportswriters, his peers including Henry Winter, Matt Lawton and Jonathan Wilson.

The late Hugh McIlvanney was perhaps the greatest British sportswriter of recent decades.

Over the years, Barclay worked for a number of England’s top newspapers, and wrote several football books, including acclaimed biographies of José Mourinho and Alex Ferguson.

They will be fondly remembered…

This column extends deepest sympathies to the family and friends of jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who died on Sunday morning having been injured in a fall during a race in Thurles last week. The tragic passing at just 24 years of age of this gifted sportsman is devastating for his family and for his sport.

Our sympathies also to the families of Galway boxer John Cooney and former Galway hurling star Michael Coleman, both of whom tragically lost their lives earlier this month.

St Croan’s for Dingle…

St Croan’s will compete in the intermediate men’s cup at the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2025, the famed club ladies and men’s Gaelic football tournament, taking place all across the Dingle Peninsula this  weekend (21st to 23rd of February).

The Roscommon lads are in the four-team straight knock-out intermediate men’s cup against Killannin of Galway and if they win, they will play either Offaly’s Bracknagh or Galbally of Limerick who won the junior cup at last year’s Comórtas.

14 counties from the four provinces of Ireland will take part in the 36th edition of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé, with 28 adult men’s and ladies club teams coming for a weekend of competitive football and social events including popular Irish band Super Céilí at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry, West Kerry.

The football festival, which was founded by eight-time All-Ireland winner Páidí Ó Sé, is supported by Lidl Ireland, EJ Menswear, Kerry County Council Tourism Unit, Medel Healthcare, Dooctor.ie, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, and has attracted over 30,000 club players since it was founded in 1989.

The post Diarmuid’s dozen sends Rossies to the summit appeared first on Roscommon People.

Cycle of life…

So I’m parking the car in Abbey Street this morning, unaware that I was about to witness a commendable attempt to break the world land speed record. Well, I exaggerate… a little.

Still, it was a bit much. As I emerged from my car, a young lad whizzed by at high speed along the footpath… peddling a bicycle.

What if someone had been emerging from any of the offices or houses on the street just as this cyclist was travelling past?

I don’t necessarily wish to be a party to dampening the exuberance of youth, but really, the moral of the story (for cyclists of all ages) is: footpaths are paths for people to walk on. They are not for bicycles.

Good morning. I will now have a cup of tea and google ‘Do people get grumpier as they get older?’

THURSDAY

Cycle of life (2)

In more bikes-on-footpaths news, after a meeting in Longford town this morning, I was walking… along a footpath. From behind came a slightly impatient demand: “Excuse me!”

I had moved aside before realising my fellow traveller was a man on a bicycle, complete with raingear and a bunch of flowers (Valentine’s Day).

Declining to acknowledge my prompt stepping aside, the romantic rider carried on… cycling along the footpath.

What is going on?

THURSDAY/FRIDAY

A communal sadness

A sense of lingering disbelief permeated the bitterly cold air in Ballintubber on Thursday evening. Disbelief that the village’s ‘Go to’ man has slipped away, that we are here, in huge, numbed numbers, for this reason. Hardly anyone spoke. A communal sadness and silence bonded the tapestry of mourners.

When we eventually reached the entrance to the old schoolhouse, it was immensely poignant. A montage of photos and newspaper/social media extracts reminded us of the remarkable breadth of Tony’s community work over the decades.

The late Anthony (Tony) Waldron touched lives far beyond Ballintubber, but there was a real sense in the village on Thursday evening of how personal his untimely passing is to the people there. It’s a beautiful village, lovingly maintained by a close-knit community. Over the years, I have observed the pride of place that is so evident in Ballintubber. This is a great community… and Tony Waldron, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, 9th of February last, was at the heart of everything positive there.

On Thursday, the photos really got to me… Tony’s central role in so many projects poignantly celebrated. There was one of Tony – as ever, the dapper dresser – chaperoning then-President Mary Robinson, many more of him with locals… images that evocatively linked milestones of a community’s ongoing development.

On Friday, the gifts brought up to the altar included Roscommon and Mayo jerseys, a Joe Dolan album, and the mobile phone that Tony always seemed to be on.

In his Homily, Fr Julian Lupot movingly highlighted what the late councillor meant to people locally. Referencing the Liveline promotional line – ‘Talk to Joe’ – the priest said that in the Ballintubber area, you talked to Tony if you needed help. He painted a picture of Tony which those who knew him could immediately identify with, that of him parked in his car, engaged in a phone call, slips of paper strewn around.

Bonnie Garvey delivered a lovely, heartfelt tribute. A niece of Tony’s sang a beautiful version of one of his favourite songs… ‘The Parting Glass’. David Waldron – his voice breaking at times – spoke of his brother’s “brilliant smile” and “contagious laugh”, while also thanking the people of Ballintubber for lovingly embracing their sibling.

Tony’s integrity, generosity of spirit, compassion, kindness and relentlessly selfless dedication to helping others throughout his life was celebrated. This was a fitting send-off to a local community’s departed champion.

So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all

(From ‘The Parting Glass’)

FRIDAY

Wrong host?

The most frustrating aspect of Patrick Kielty’s vapid interview with the brilliant Steve Coogan on the Late Late Show tonight was the fact that it wasn’t Tommy Tiernan’s interview with the brilliant Steve Coogan.

SATURDAY

Hitting right notes

Kerry v Dublin is ‘a dual that has gripped people for decades’ The Sunday Game tweeted by way of promoting this evening’s big game in Tralee.

I wasn’t quite as excited as the person looking after digital media for the RTE show, nor did I agree with their assessment; Kerry v Dublin is more a duel than a dual, I reckon.

Still, I dipped into RTE’s live coverage to see if this latest meeting between the two big beasts of the GAA would be in keeping with the spirit of the misspelt marketing. The early action from Tralee had Kerry threatening to humiliate the Dubs. 12 points ahead at one stage, by half-time the Kingdom were 11 clear. Even with a strong wind blowing, it looked like game over. I almost switched over to the final of The Masked Singer, where a Pufferfish was in a duel (not dual) with a Dressed Crab.

The second half saw Dessie Farrell’s Dubs slowly reel Kerry into view, before remarkably overhauling them with a flurry of great, late scores. It turns out that reports of Dublin’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. They won by a point, a pretty sensational turnaround, and a first win in 40 years in Tralee for the Dubs. Things may be looking up for Dublin football!

On nearby Virgin Media, Putterfish won its duel with the crab on The Masked Singer.

SUNDAY

Not bowled over

Some topical political commentary overheard in Roscommon town…

Man A: “I don’t think Trump wants a bowl of shamrock on St Patrick’s Day…”

Man B: “It’s another green he wants… (reference to Greenland)… then “I bet he’d take the bowl if it was full of dollars!”

MONDAY

Just a thought…

But seriously… there’s still no word of that traditional St Patrick’s Day invite to the White House for the Taoiseach.

Even if/when it does come, I note that radio commentators and doubters on social media are questioning if Micheál Martin would be brave enough to talk tough to Donald Trump… and tell him some blunt home truths.

Has anyone checked if Samantha Mumba’s available?

The post Paul Healy’s Week – 21/02/25 appeared first on Roscommon People.

Yes! A letter from the office of An Taoiseach!

Hah! From the OFFICE of An Taoiseach! So NOT personal correspondence!

Actually, my cynical friend, it’s made very clear in the letter that the issues I raised were brought to Deputy Martin’s personal attention!

Huh! By the way, I thought you wrote to the Taoiseach in December… he wasn’t in any hurry to reply to you! Just shows you’re not on his radar! All your waffle about having political contacts at the highest level!

Well, the reply was delayed because there was a slight… diplomatic matter.

Huh? 

When I sent the letter off before Christmas, I wasn’t sure if the new Taoiseach would be Mr Martin or Mr Harris, so I wrote ‘To Whom It May Concern’… I think Deputy Martin might have been put out by that!

Oh dear!

(They pause to watch Celtic’s fantastic performance against Bayern Munich) 

So, what were these issues you raised with the Taoiseach? 

My advice on how to solve the housing crisis…

Yes…

And I asked if he’d personally intervene in the plastic caps/lids debacle!

Oh dear! No doubt some eye-rolling intern fired off a standard reply to you…

The letter CLEARLY states that Deputy Martin was pleased to hear from me and that he’s giving careful consideration to the issues I raised…

So what’s next? You might as well write to President Trump while you’re at it!

AGAIN?

What do you mean? 

I’m gone mad writing letters to people in power. I’ve already written to Mr Trump, advising him that I have relations in Clare – which I do – and that I’m an established columnist with a much-loved community newspaper… who would be, er, favourably disposed towards him if he could grant me an interview when he inevitably visits Doonbeg.

YOU HAVEN’T!

I even suggested myself and Davy Fitzgerald could play himself and vice-president Vance in a game of golf!

Huh! You’ll be waiting a long time for a reply from the White House…

Not so! I received an official reply… from the office of the President! He’s acknowledged my letter. The president’s schedule is “under constant review”. They’ll get back to me…

Oh let’s go for a pint before this gets any more ridiculous…

Give me two minutes. I’m just finishing a letter to the main man…

Who now? THE POPE? Here, let me get you the address. Vati…

Don’t be so sarcastic! I’m writing to Michael Healy-Rae on the plastic bottle caps, they reckon he’ll be in charge of the country in March when the rest of the ministers are all gone abroad for St Patrick’s Day!

The post Pen pals with Taoiseach (and Trump) appeared first on Roscommon People.

Sending wrong message

I’d normally be cynical about calls for the Dáil to be recalled. The calls are usually mere political opportunism, some opposition party breathlessly demanding the immediate return of the Dáil in order that a perceived crisis is urgently addressed.

Such calls are no doubt sometimes genuine, but mostly it’s opportunism, those making the call delighting in embarrassing the government of the day. They are well aware that calls for the Dáil to reconvene will resonate with those voters who still have the will to care. Cue ordinary men and women in the street muttering stuff like ‘Did you see that shower are still on holidays? The country is in crisis and the TDs aren’t to be seen anywhere…’.

Besides, if the chamber is reopened in the midst of some emergency, does anyone seriously think that venting TDs will achieve anything that would be more beneficial than public servants (elected and non-elected) working away behind the scenes?

All of the above said (I did say I’d normally be cynical on this issue) it hasn’t been a good look for the Dáil not to have sat over the past fortnight (or so). Storm Éowyn had a devastating impact on the country, particularly in the west of Ireland. I do think that the failure to recall the Dáil this time has sent a bad message to the public.

Even if it had only been a symbolic gesture, reconvening the Dáil – particularly with a new Government having just taken office – would have sent a positive signal to people. It would have given the Taoiseach and his ministers an opportunity to show leadership (beyond soundbites in the media). It would have given people a voice (through their TDs) and most importantly of all, would have indicated that the plight of those most grievously impacted was being formally acknowledged. Instead, we had photos in the media of politicians (the Taoiseach included) attending the Ireland-England game at the Aviva.

I think had the Dáil been recalled on this occasion, it would have sent a message of symbolic solidarity, if nothing else, to those communities that were most affected. A message to people who – due to storm-induced circumstances – didn’t see Ireland v England in the rugby, or Ireland v Scotland last weekend either for that matter.

FRIDAY

Senator Scahill

Word comes through that Gareth Scahill is one of Micheál Martin’s 11 Seanad nominees (the Taoiseach having received a list of five choices from Fine Gael leader and Coalition partner, Simon Harris).

It’s an impressively swift rise up the political ladder for the Castlerea businessman. Up to just over eight months ago, he hadn’t yet held political office at all, now he’s a member of the Oireachtas – and the clear front-runner for Fine Gael in this constituency ahead of the next general election.

Scahill comfortably won a Council seat last June. However, his foray into local politics has turned out to be short-lived, as he will now have to vacate his Council seat following today’s elevation to the Seanad.

Before entering politics, Gareth Scahill had already established himself as a dedicated community activist. His rise to Oireachtas level is positive for Castlerea, and for the constituency. I wish him well in his new role.

SATURDAY

Eurovision latest!

When I realised that last night’s Late Late Show was a Eurovision Special, I was delighted… and availed of the opportunity to catch up on some end-of-week sleep on the couch.

Having very intentionally avoided every second of the show, I would have embraced having no knowledge of how our latest search for long-lost Eurovision credibility unfolded, but such hopes were shattered when I inadvertently heard a segment on Newstalk this morning.

Before I could take evasive action, the ever-enthusiastic reporter Henry McKean was breathlessly informing broadcaster Anton Savage that the winning song last night – and now our entry in this year’s Eurovision – is about a Soviet dog that died in space.

I’m all for originality – and we certainly haven’t had many songs about dogs that died in space – but I must admit to being quite stunned.

It felt like I had been transported into a Monty Python sketch, but it was really happening… Anton and Henry were now discussing the story behind Laika Party, the song that Norwegian singer Emmy will perform for Ireland in the upcoming semi-final.

Apparently a Soviet crew brought a dog called Laika into space on Sputnik 2 back in 1957, but the animal sadly died of hyperthermia. Now Laika’s back in the news, with the songwriting team penning a different outcome for the dog, in which it survives and parties in space. Of course that’s not what happened.

68 years on, it might be a bit much to expect a ‘sympathy vote’ for Laika to help reverse Ireland’s recent Eurovision woes. Time will tell!

SATURDAY

In the cinema…

A visit to Omniplex Cinema in Roscommon is always a pleasure. Tonight, we had a ‘family night out’ and went to see ‘A Complete Unknown’.

While it’s slow moving, and perhaps not to everyone’s taste, I thought this Bob Dylan biopic was enjoyable, the music very evocative. Timothée Chalamet was excellent as a young Bob Dylan.

SUNDAY/MONDAY

County mourns Tony

The sudden death of Cllr Anthony Waldron has come as a terrible shock. We were very good friends for many years, and it was always a pleasure to meet with this most unassuming of gentlemen.

The people of Ballintubber, Castlerea, Roscommon town and the entire county indeed are shocked by Tony’s untimely passing. We pay tribute to a great Roscommon man on pages 14 & 15 (see also page 10). Rest in peace, Tony.

TUESDAY

A walk in the park

A relaxing walk in Loughnaneane Park, where peacefulness reigns. There is hardly any noise, except for the sound of a saw, operated by a man in the distance.

Like Mote Park, and the Demesne in Castlerea, and other cherished local amenities, the recent storm impacted here; there are hundreds of branches tidily gathered together on the ground, as the clean-up operation continues.

The man with the saw, who is working on that clean-up in a cordoned off area, is being watched by a robin and a small dog. It’s obvious it belongs to the man (the dog, not the robin).

Several walkers pass, at least half of whom have a dog with them. Imposing in the distance stands Roscommon Castle, which has survived stormier days than we saw on January 24th. In the pond, the ducks embrace the tranquillity of another day, another year.

The post Paul Healy’s Week – 14/02/25 appeared first on Roscommon People.

All politics is local

On a human level, politics can certainly be a tough business. Politically, you live and die not by the sword, but by the stroke of a pen.

This week has seen two local politicians lose their Seanad seats. Aisling Dolan and Eugene Murphy both lost out on the highly competitive Agricultural Panel. It was a further significant setback for two public figures who just over a couple of months ago had their sights set on the Dáil.

Both are now at a crossroads in their respective political careers. Since late last year, Dolan and Murphy have both encountered stormy political seas.

Eugene Murphy has been high profile in these parts for 40 years, having been elected to Roscommon County Council for the first time way back in 1985. Today, political discourse is often via social media. Times have changed. In 1985, I remember Eugene in full flow addressing locals leaving Mass from the church in Strokestown.

He insists he is not finished with politics and has pledged to put his name before the people again when local and national elections next come around.

It hasn’t been a good week for our constituency. A fruitless Seanad election for local candidates followed on from Dr Martin Daly (Fianna Fáil) and Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) both being overlooked when that long list of junior ministers was revealed.

Both will be obvious contenders for promotion if and when a mid-term reshuffle takes place.

The assumption that Daly would get a junior ministry was hyped up too much (not by the new TD himself, but by party sources locally, and commentators too). It’s not usual for a first-time TD to get the nod. Taoiseach Micheál Martin is cautious at the best of times. His decision not to appoint Daly certainly put paid to any suggestion that the Ballygar man was promised a junior ministry in return for entering the political fray.

FRIDAY

Welsh woe

I didn’t see tonight’s opening game of the Six Nations Championship, but judging by online reviews, Wales were as poor as their woeful 43-0 defeat to France suggests.

It might be unfair on Wales (a great rugby nation that’s just going through a bad period) for me to draw the comparison, but I am reminded of what the eccentric Len Shackleton said after he scored six goals in Newcastle’s 13-0 win over Newport in a league match in 1946: “They were lucky to get nil”.

SATURDAY

Boyzone documentary

Channel-hopping, I came across a major new documentary on Boyzone (No Matter What, Sky Documentaries).

I wasn’t aware of this three-part series until tonight. Judging by episode one, it’s a raw and revealing no-holds-barred retrospective on the rise to international stardom of the Irish boyband that was formed, and ruthlessly controlled, by Louis Walsh.

I’ve only seen one episode at time of writing, but already it’s clear that there was a lot of turmoil behind the scenes, and that many questions arise about both Louis Walsh’s modus operandi and the conduct of the tabloid press. So many boybands/young pop stars have been victims of exploitation.

Episode one was intriguing, band members interviewed on their own, Walsh an unnervingly Machiavellian-like contributor in the shadows.

Mikey Graham has obviously been badly affected by his experience in the band, while the late Stephen Gately’s turmoil will clearly be a feature of the series.

SUNDAY

Giving everything…

Watching children play can be exhausting (and wonderful). Just now in our house, one of our nephews (aged 3) and our 21-month-old grandchild have embarked on a relentless series of laps of two rooms.

They’ve been running at high speed from living room to kitchen in playful pursuit of one another. Mostly following the same route, they’ve occasionally paused for breath while circling the ‘Island’, a bit like the pit stops which Formula One drivers take.

The energy levels and single-minded focus on display are something else. But even small kids’ energy levels have a limit. Finally, after several laps, they’ve both just plopped to the floor, exhausted.

I know it reminds me of something. But what? Then it comes to me. That night in 1975 when, thrilled to be out of my bed in the early hours of the morning, I watched Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier live from Manila. When Frazier couldn’t take any more at the start of the 15th round, he sank on to his stool. Ali in turn immediately collapsed to the canvas.

SUNDAY

Rory & Shane

A TV and sporting highlight of this weekend has been the golf on Sky Sports, where Rory McIllroy and Shane Lowry have taken charge at the business end of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. McIllroy won, Lowry’s birdie on the last ensuring he finished second. Both McIlroy and Lowry hit hole-in-ones during the tournament. Their exploits earned them combined prize money of almost six millions dollars.

MONDAY

Speechless…

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has spoken… so that others may not. The Ceann Comhairle has made it known that she cannot grant Opposition speaking rights to the Regional Independents, because they are already committed to supporting the new Government.

I assume that on hearing tonight’s twist, a suitably unimpressed Michael Lowry and Micheál Martin are both… speechless.

TUESDAY

The late Brian Murphy

What a terrific comedy actor Brian Murphy was. The sitcom star of yore died on Sunday (aged 92), with his passing being announced by his family today. Readers of a certain age may recall him from Man About The House (well, I don’t; when I think of him it’s for his role in George and Mildred). Much later, he was a regular in Last of the Summer Wine, which was perfect for his style, which usually involved playing a bumbling character who was down on his luck or, as the Guardian put it today, “constantly outmanoeuvred by contemptuous and implacable women”.

The (sitcom) woman who kept him on his toes most was Yootha Joyce, Mildred to Murphy’s very ‘hen-pecked’ George in the much-loved George and Mildred (1976-1979). That latter sitcom was a spin-off from Man About The House, which first introduced Murphy and Joyce to TV viewers.

Brian Murphy starred in numerous other popular TV programmes, and had film roles too. He will be fondly remembered.

The post Paul Healy’s Week – 07/02/25 appeared first on Roscommon People.