Freddie at Bewleys

FreddieBewleys
Originally uploaded by M+MD.

Last week Katy said – hey Freddie White is playing in Bewleys on Mondays – you like him don’t you?
So we arranged to have an early bird dinner in La Cave with Dave and Mags and we showed up in Bewleys little Theatre upstair at about 8.30 – we were a bit early but there was just a table left.
It was an excellent night. It’s a very intimate venue – just room for about 50 people, a small bar, a very appreciative group of fans. It was like being back in the basement in Toners on a Monday night, 29 years ago. He played all the old songs and some good new stuff too. He even finished with Desparados – always brings a tear to my eye!
It was a new experience for Dave and Mags – they had’t heard him before. A great night – must do it again

Freddie White
Originally uploaded by Matthew Verso.

Katy's Debs 13 October

13^th October – Katy’s Debs in Killiney Castle. Lunch in Fitzers, Maurice Stokes.

Today was Katy’s Debs. The tradition in her school is that the parents attend too. We have invited family friends and neighbours as well as her escort’s (Paul) parents for drinks before we set off for Killiney.

Katry was getting her hair done in town so she and I met for lunch in Fitzers. We were sitting down when who should walk over but Paul’s father and mother.

Now it’s a strange co-incidence but when Katy was in Washington last March she met up with Paul, who was a member of the group from Ireland. It turns out that Paul’s father Maurice was a great friend of mine when we were both teenagers down in Tara Cove. We meet up again last summer at a Tara Cove golf outing.

So Maurice comes over and says hallo, chats about the debs and says – see you later. When they go back to their table, Katy says “who’s that? Why did they say see you later?”!!!

The evening was very enjoyable, and represents the end of an era for us at Killians.

Old Friends

Bookends 1968 Simon & Garfunkel.

I had an e-mail this week from an ex-colleague; "Congratulations - today you are 6 months in your new job; let me buy you lunch in celebration!". Today, Friday we had a one to one with a one and one (fish and chips) in Foleys pub. Its good to catch up (no pun intended) and reminisce about "the good old days". But as some one said recently " these are the good old days - enjoy. Thanks Paul, I appreciate the lunch.

Thirst

Thirst ©2006 Daragh Owens M+MD.

Last night we went to see Thirst (a short play by Flann O’Brien) in Russell’s Pub in Ranelagh. Our neighbours, Michael and Heather came along. It was part of the Ranelagh Arts Festival. It was very well done – we were sitting in the pub and it was if the actors were just a few regulars (in fact I think they were). It’s a short piece, but entertaining.

Ryder Cup 012

Ryder Cup 012
Originally uploaded by M+MD.

Joy and Sorrow at Millenium Stadium Cardiff

What a week-end. On Saturday we had the long awaited Munster victory in theHeiniken Cup Final played out in the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. On Sunday in the same Stadium, Leeds played Watford in the play-off final for the last place in the premiership. After all my patience - they lost - not only did they lose but they were played off the pitch. Watford won 3-0. I don't think Watford will last more than a season in the premiership, maybe that's sour grapes - but call it a prediction. So Leeds have to start all over again next year. This year will have done them some good - the lesson is: don't wait for the play-offs you have to come first or second - last year we got within 4 points of Sheffield - but let them get away. The play-offs are a lottery. Its 2 cup matches and a great spectacle. The fans get a great day out - but its a sustained league performance and Premiership football that we need, not a day out in Millemium Stadium (or Wembley - if it is ever completed)

O'Connell Steet in Limerick

What a day for Munster - finally Victory in the Heineken Cup.

Watching04 Originally uploaded by _CitizenKane_.

Biarritz Olympique 19-23 Munster Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Att: 74,534 Saturday 20th May 2006, 15:00.

For those who couldn't go - O'Connell Street in Limerick had a big screen and thousands of people. Sereli Bobo had given Biarritz the perfect start with a converted try after two minutes. Seven down. But in the seventh minute we had a penalty from Ronan O'Gara and in teh seventeenth minute a try from Trevor Halstead converted by RoG. 5 minutes later Munster were penalised in the ruck and no mistake from Yachvili, and were were back to 10 all. There followed some strong Biarritz pressure but the Munster defence held. Payne eventually clears the ball for Munster, and with Munster in possession - the referee calls the defence offside. O'Gara kicks for the corner - but it's a poor kick and the throw is taken from the 22.

Then comes the moment of magic. Stringer saw opposite number Yachvili out of position and left Serge Betsen grasping air as he rounded the blindside of the scrum untouched to score. O’Gara’s conversion put Munster 17-10 ahead at half time. A penalty early in the second half settles Munster.

However Yachvili gets 3 penalty opportunities. He converts each - as you would expect. With ten minutes left its 20 - 19 to Munster. Both sides look nervous. But Biarritz makes the mistake and Munster have a penalty. Ronan kicks and its 23-19. The last 3 minutes see Biarritz pressure - but in the end Ronan O’Gara kicks the ball out of play and the Millenium Stadium and O'Connell Street erupts... Ronan has had kicked a perfect five out five to clinch an historic win.

Heartbreaking defeats in the finals of 2000 and 2002 had upped the stakes for Munster but it was a case of third time lucky after producing the performance of a lifetime.

Promotion in Sight Again

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Friday, Leeds beat Preston 0-2 away from home to get into the play-off final. The opposition will probably be Watford who are 3-0 after the first leg against Crystal Palace. Watford play Palace at home to-night.

Leeds and the Promotion Play-offs

After losing 2-0 away to Preston in the final match of the championship, Leeds now have to play Preston twice this week-end to get into the play-off final. To-morrow night Leeds are at home in Elland Road and on Monday they are away. Preston have been in the play-offs seven times now and have never made it - lets hope it stays that way! Full Championship Table.

Heineken Cup Semi Final 2006

IMG_7547
Originally uploaded by e_mulvey.

Munster Celebtaions

Reds do it again

Munster beat Leinster by a convincing 30 points to 6 today at Lansdowne Road. Munster got the quick start they hoped for with early pressure giving O'Gara an easy penalty. Then Leamy scored a try in the 9th minute to make it 10-0. Then Leinster got a penalty only to concede one back to Munster. Another penalty before half time and Munster went in 16-3 ahead at the break. The second half saw Leinster upping the pace. There was no score in teh second half util the 28th minute when Contepomi kicked a penalty to make it 16-6. He missed another penalty and then O'Gara got over for an easy try under the posts. In the final minute Halstead - who had a fantastic game - intercepted inside his own half and sprinted down the field for a try under the posts. O'Gara kicked the conversion and it was all over.

Paul O'Connell was again Man of the Match

Reds beat Blues - maybe its an omen!

Liverpool surprised the marginal favourites Chelsea (2-1) in the FA cup semi final yesterday. This must be a sign for Munster to do the same against Leinster in the Heineken Cup semi final this afternoon.
If we are looking for other Red V Blue signs then Biarritz booked their place against the winners of to-days encounter at Cardiff in May. They were relatively easy winners (18-9) over a disappointing Bath team.

Well its the play-offs - get over it.

With 6 draws and 2 defeats in the last eight matches - Leeds have to be content with the play-offs. A draw with Reading on Saturday and a draw away to Sheffield last night were good results. However it is now 2 cup matches to settle the promotion battle. The four teams to play out for one premiership place are already settled: Watford, Palace and Preston join Leeds. -However who plays who, is far from settled - any team is capable of finishing in 3rd through 6th place. Leeds have to play one of the possible opponents, Preston in the last match of the season. Preston were in the play-offs last season, while Palace were in the premiership last season - so there are no easy opponents. Full Championship Table.

The early bird ...

Myself and Senan went to the Leinster Vs Llanelli at Lansdowne Road this evening. We decided to go early. When we arrived in teh ground they announced that there was a limited number of North Terrace tickets for next Sunday Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster. We couldn't believe our luck - joined the queue and are now proud holders of two tickets. Leinster had a slow enough start and let Llanelli go in at half time 19 to 7 ahead. However they came out a much more convincing team and the score finished up 30-22.

Katy goes to Washington

Katy writes: J’ai passé la semaine derniere a Washington avec 300 élevés de plus de vingt pays différents. J’ai reçu une bourse pour aller a Washington avec neuf autre élevé irlandais. Le voyage a été organise par EIL et une compagnie américain qui s’appelle > Presidential Classroom. A Washington nous avons visite d’emplacements par exemple le monument de Washington, le musée Smithsonian et le mémorial de Lincoln. Nous avons écrit un communiqué aussi, comme ils font dans l'ONU. J'étais le chef de mon groupe. Nous avons écrit un communiqué au sujet du nationalisme. Il a dû être accepté par tous les vingt pays. Nous avons travaillé très dur, mais Le communiqué a échoué. Un communiqué est un document, qui doit être admis par tous les pays. Il explique les vues et la croyance des pays impliqué. L'ONU fait beaucoup de communiqués au sujet comme des droits de l'homme, santé, et Terrorisme.

Senan is Confirmed

Senan writes: On Saturday the first of April I made my Confirmation. I was confirmed by Bishop Eamonn Walsh. I picked my uncle Michael as my sponsor. My confirmation name is Francis after St Francis of Assisi. The ceremony was quite long. After we were anointed with chrism we said the prayers of the faithful and I did a prayer for those who could not be at the confirmation because of illness. On Saturday my granny was sick and wasn’t well enough to come to the confirmation and so at the time I was thinking of her. After the confirmation we went to dinner with just the family and my sponsor. I had a great time and after we went home and watched the rugby matches. On Sunday we invited relations and family friends to our house. Lots of my cousins were there. I enjoyed the weekend thoroughly.

Its been at exciting week

Its been an exciting week in our house.

• Lisa is in the middle of her first 3 weeks of teaching practice.
• Senan had his confirmation on Saturday.
• Katy has just spend 10 days in Washington as part of an Irish delegation to the "Future World Leader Summit" and
• I started my new job last Monday.

Great Rugby, but more disappointment for Leeds

What a week-end of sport. I'm afraid that Leeds losing to Hull means that we look stuck in the play-offs rather than the hope of a second place and guaranteed promotion. Watford also lost - but Crystal Palace are on a great run and a draw by Sheffield means that they are now 7 points clear of Leeds with 5 games to go. But moving swiftly on .... .... Rugby was a different story. Athough I have lived in Leinster for most of my life, I am a Munster rugby supporter. It's very simple - I was born there and that's my excuse! It was the Leinster performance, away to Toulouse, which was the performance of the week-end - they didn't just win they swept them away. While Toulouse got close near the end (35-41) - there was never any real danger. The backs were (finally) at their best. There were world class tries from O'Driscoll and Hickey. But it was Contepomi who was the real star - his aggresion in running from inside the Leinster 22 to set up Hickey was awesome and he handled the ball twice in the sequence leading up to the O'Driscoll try.

I've Got You My Precious Uploaded by BobTheCorkDwarf.

For Munster - it was as I had feared - as clear favourites against Perpingnan, they struggled. Leinster with nothing to lose played out of their skins. Munster won without too much danger, (19-10) but it was nervy and not very good rugby to watch. However you know what we say - "A win is a win". Now, we have the hottest ticket in town in just under 3 weeks, when Leinster play Munster in Lansdowne Road. Who knows what will happen - the only certainty is that their will be an Irish team facing either Bath or Biaritz in the Heiniken Cup final in May.

Another Rugby week-end

This week-end we have the quarter finals of the Heiniken Cup. Leinster just managed to make it into the last eight by beating Bath last January and so have the dubious honour of facing the cup holders Toulouse in Toulouse on Saturday. While everyone expects a running performance from the famous Leinster back line - it is hard to find anyone who believes they will win. Munster on the other hand have a "home" draw against Perpignan in Lansdowne. The Irish fans are dismissing Perpignan as poor travellers and the French team is almost as unfancied as Leinster. Tickets for Lansdowne Road are hard to find right now - even for such a "dead cert" game. We have Leinter Vs Toulouse kicking off at 4pm followed by Munster Vs Perpignan at 5.30.

Reality Strikes

Leeds 0-1 Crystal Palace A game in hand isn't worth three points when you don't win. Jobi McAnuff scored the only goal of the game to boost Crystal Palace's play-off hopes and dent Leeds' automatic promotion chances. Plus with Watford beating Southampton last night its beginning to look harder for Leeds.