Rest in Peace - Paul Tansey

Its not so long since we celebrated twenty five years since we all started out in an exciting new venture that was the relaunch of The Sunday Tribune in 1983. It was a small group. Paul Tansey was there that night as one of the original team. It is so sad that just 6 months later he left us. Playing tennis on a Sunday morning. But not yet 60, he was way too young. His removal to Monkstown church and the funeral mass were a who's who of media, economics and politics in Ireland both now and then.

His last column in the Irish Times, was a gentle throw-back to those columns in the eighies when he warned the government about the need to cut public expenditure. He was applauding the early budget and hoping for appropriate action.

Many of his friends in the media have written many true things about him. I've collected up the links of just some of these below:

Ken O'Brien, Finance Magazine
Obituary - Irish Times
Ciaran McGonigal, Irish Times letter
Shane Ross, Sunday Independent
Antoin Murphy, Sunday Business Post
Kevin Myers, Irish Independent
John Spain, Irish Independent

On November 28th we had a larger group assemble in The Unicorn (the same restaurant). It was a larger group of friends and colleagues from those Tribune days. Many didn't recognise me - glasses and no beard! Pauls wife Olivia and his daughter Emily were there. Emily said a few words - she was probably less than 2 when Paul left the Tribune! She was so like him in so many ways. A difficult time, but a night to remember him by. May he rest in peace.

Coincidence, or what?

History Mystery Have a history teacher explain this----- if they can.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946. Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960. Both were particularly concerned with civil rights. Both wives lost their children while living in the White House. Both Presidents were shot on a Friday. Both Presidents were shot in the head Now it gets really weird. Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy. Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln . Both were assassinated by Southerners. Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson. Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln , was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839. Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names. Both names are composed of fifteen letters. Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.' Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford.' Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse. Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater. Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials. And here's the kicker... A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe. Creepy huh?

Frustrating - yes; Good performance - yes;Ireland 3 New Zealand 22

There was a lot of disappointment and frustration after the game against the All-Blacks. George Hook was almost calling for Declan Kidney’s resignation. While the frustration is understandable – Ireland never really had serious scoring chances, we have to remember that this is the All Blacks – the number one team in the world – we are ranked eighth – home or away a victory was always going to be difficult. I felt frustration and resignation after the match. But the cold statistics tell a different story. Ireland defended magnificently.

Dan Carter kicks
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Carter finally kicks one over!
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It took the All Blacks 25 minutes to score. Admittedly Dan Carter missed two easy penalties early on – but he missed them! After they scored we drew level pretty quickly. Then on the 40th minute we had that penalty try.

www.Inpho.ie ©

I still haven’t seen it on TV – but the photograph defiantly shows a cynical action – so no dispute with the yellow card. However the photo does not convince me that Richie McCaw would have scooped up the ball and retained control and scored – he was diving in hope, just like Tommy Bowe was diving in fear. But it’s a score and the referee had the benefit of the TMO.

In the second half New Zealand scored 2 real tries, the last one a beauty (I caught the whole sequence see below). But look at the clock – the last try was in the 55th minute. Ireland were now dead on their feet, but managed to hold out for the last 25 minutes. But the All-Blacks had it won – they stopped trying you say. No chance – this is the all Blacks – they will happily run up a cricket score if they are able; they are never satisfied with just a win; they might give you a softy try in the last minute; but they just want to score score score. Remember how Ireland would be criticized for keeping in touch for an hour but losing it completely in the last 20 minutes. Not this team. I take a lot from that and I believe Ireland deserve much more credit than the pundits give them. Of course this was a great commanding performance by the All Blacks. Of course we were never given any hope once that penalty try was awarded. Frustration, frustration, frustration. We had no compensating high moment when we looked like scoring. But this is an acceptable performance, if defeat is ever acceptable. Against opposition like the All Blacks – defeat is always a probability.

1 - Carter Receives
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2 - Carter Passes
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3 - Sivivatu waits
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4 - Sivivatu takes
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5 - Skip Pass
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6 - Brad Thorn waits
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7 - Thorn takes
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8 - Bowe covers 2 All Blacks
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9 - Thorn thinks about passing
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10 - Decides to go himself
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11- O'Leary and Heaslip arrive
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12 - Too late - TRY
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Last Try - still 26 minutes left, Uploaded by M+MD.

We have much more important games to look forward to. We have the crucial game against Argentina this week-end. This is a friendly with a double edge. Firstly – we owe them. After our performance against them in the world cup we need to show them who really belongs in the world top five. So first we play for pride. Second edge is much more important. The result of this game will directly impact our world cup seedings. A loss by us and a win by Scotland over Canada (an absolute certainty) means we are ninth in the world and seeded in the third rankings. This means we will have 2 of the top eight teams in a certain pool of death in the next Rugby World Cup. That makes this “friendly” into a cup final qualifier. I can’t understand why its not a sell-out – maybe it will be on the day.

Then on the 7th February we have the return of France to Croke Park. We owe them too. We owe them for world cup semi-final places; and we owe them for our first ever game in Croke Park, when Ireland choked in the big occasion and France nicked a try in the last few minutes. Sortez Les Bleu (si vous plait).

Then we have Martin Johnson leading England as manager into Croke Park on the 28th February. Jonno wasn’t involved in the fantastic day in Croker in 2007. But he will know what it meant to Ireland and he will want to win England last game in Croke Park just like we won the first. This is Jonno who broke protocol in Lansdowne Road and made Mary McAleese walk of the red carpet. That was a grandslam final and he won that day. We own him too!

I’m looking forward to settling those three debts in the next three outings to Croke Park. We have a lot to do to beat New Zealand, Munster nearly did it for us again. But when we’re ready to beat New Zealand, I hope I’m there to see it.

MUNSTER v NZ

MUNSTER v NZ, originally uploaded by L09C.

The Haka - Croke Park

Irish team to play Argentina

15 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 – Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Munster V All Blacks

Munster V All Blacks Thomond, Uploaded by M+MD.

In a week's time in Thomond Park we will have the reply of the famous game of 30 years ago. I hope to be there. I wasn't there the first day - but I do have a ticket from that match. It's a pity that the Munster team will not have any of the international squad present - that's understandable I suppose. But maybe that's a key ingredient needed for a memorable game. I think that the All Blacks still have the scars from that game. While they have suffered few humiliations in their career, the Munster defeat in 1978 must be up there with losing to Australia in Dublin in the world cup semi final in 1993 or losing to France in the Final last year.

Munster All Blacks Musgrave, Uploaded by M+MD.

Its hard to believe that the fixture has only been played once since that famous day. I travelled down to Musgrave Park in 1989 to see a pretty miserable match. The crowd were full of hope and expectation. But New Zealand did what they needed to do and finished easy winners. On the 18th November 1989, in Lansdowne Road, the All Blacks trounced Ireland 23-6.

Both Munster and Ireland drew with New Zealand in 1973, and in 1978 Munster became the only Irish side to have beaten the All Blacks. The 12-0 victory occurred on Tuesday 31 October 1978 at Thomond Park. Christy Cantillon scored a try with Tony Ward converting. Ward also added a drop goal in each half. The game now forms part of Munster rugby mythology, and a stage play named Alone it Stands (by John Breen) was based on the events.

Kidney shows his true colours for selection to play All -Blacks

Kidney's team to play the All Blacks has 6 changes from the Ireland V Canada mis-match in Thomond Park last week-end. With the exception of Tommy Bowe and Rory Best, it's very much Blue at the back and Red in the cockpit and up front. Jamie Heaslip being the only Blue in the front eight.

15 – Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 – Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Jamie Heaslip

Geraldine Dobey accepts award for Hilton Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris Hotel

PARIS, France, October 6, 2008. Dobey has more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has worked for Hilton for 13 years, serving most recently as the general manager of Hilton Paris. Prior to Hilton Paris, Dobey held positions at several of the brand’s London properties, including the Langhan Hilton, Hilton Hyde Park and Hilton London Park Lane.

Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris is a four-star deluxe hotel facing the Parc Monceau, just a few minutes walk to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. The Art Deco-designed property features 463 luxurious guestrooms, including 50 suites and 2 Executive Floors, an Executive Lounge and an 8,600 square-foot Andalusian Patio, one of the largest open-air hotel gardens in Paris. The hotel also boasts Le Safran restaurant with 3 outdoor terraces, Purple Bar, and Spa Mosaïc, a 4,305 square-foot facility with ten treatment rooms, a hydro-tonic bath, steam bath, sauna and gym.

Ireland 55 Canada 0

IRELAND v CANADA, originally uploaded by L09C.

Ireland beat Canada in a mis-match last week-end.

What a first cap! Munster's Keith Earls scores a try for Ireland with his first touch during his first cap. As a result he has been selected onto the Irish subs bench for the match against the All Blacks this week-end.

Shocking Conditions
Originally uploaded by L09C

Thomond Park
Originally uploaded by L09C

September 11th NYC - Time Lapse from Tyler Sparks

I had a longer look around Tyler Sparks Flickr page and found this second time lapse. It is commemorating September 11th, with the light beams shining upwards at ground zero. The impact on the light on the moving clouds through the time lapse is stunning.

Mid Town Time-Laspe 12hr

I am not a big fan of Video on Flickr - I thought I preferred horses for courses - YouTube for Video and Flickr for photographs. However I found this and was blown away by it - Fantastic.

Play it and watch it its great. Follow the link to see it larger.

Mid Town Time-Laspe 12hr
Originally uploaded by tyfihi

Sky High

Christchurch Rathgar, Uploaded by M+MD.

Declan Kidney picks his first Irish team

Ireland play Canada is Thomond park new week-end. Its good to see Keith Earls getting an early run out for Ireland. Eddie would not have been so brave. The rest of the selection looks predictable enough:

• a bias towards Munster in the front five - deserved on current form, and on top of that allowing John Hayes to come on a a match winning sub!
• just one Ulster player on the team (2 really if you count Tommy Bowe).
• The recent form of Heaslip and Jennings in the back row for Leinster is also recognised. - though I'm not sure he would leave out Wallace in a big game.
• It's also great to see Kidney trying out the centre partnership with real potential - Fitzgerald and O'Driscoll - especially when D'Arcy looks like he may not even be fit for the 6 nations.

Its a fair selection, which allows for a little experimentation and recognises current form. Its a selection dominated by Red and Blue.

15 – Keith Earls* (Young Munster/Munster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
10 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 – Eoin Reddan (Wasps)
1 – Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 – Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Autumn Internationals

New Zealand Ticket, Uploaded by M+MD.

We have a couple of good games coming up in the Autumn Internationals. the first is in Thomond Park against Canada. That will be Declan Kidney's first game in charge. While as a Corkman he might prefer to have it in Musgrave Park, Thomond has been a source of many famous victories for him as Munster coach. The opposition isn't that strong and we would be expecetd to win the opener easily. Then we have 2 great fixtures in Croke Park. First we have Ireland Vs New Zealand. The last time they were here in 2005 we were trounced. I suppose we can fear the worst again this time round. However it is always good to see the All-Blacks play and who knows we might give a good account of ourselves. The following week we have Argentina - our old world cup bogey team. We certainly want to win that one. I expect to see the old rivalries between Contepomi and O'Gara in full view again.
Argentina Ticket, Uploaded by M+MD.