Author Archives: Aaron McAllorum

Last night.

Budapest, Hungary.

After his Republic of Ireland players were booed before the teams played out a goalless draw against Hungary, manager Stephen Kenny said:

“The fact it was booed is incomprehensible really, and it must be damaging for Hungary, with the Euros in Hungary.

“It’s disappointing and it doesn’t reflect well on Hungary really, on Hungarian support. It doesn’t reflect well.

“Our players wanted to do it. It’s important. It’s an important stance and I commend them for taking that stance.

“I think it was the right decision. I approached [the Football Association of Ireland’s international operations manager] Barry Gleeson and said it was something we wanted to do, take the knee, and I think it’s a very important message.”

Alternatively.

Stephen Kenny: Republic of Ireland boss brands Hungary fans who booed his players taking a knee as ‘incomprehensible’ (Sky)

Meanwhile…

Beautiful game, in fairness.

Martin Garrix feat. Bono & The Edge – We Are The People

‘We Are The People Of The Open Hand/Streets Of Dublin To Notre Dame,

‘We’ll Build It Better Than We Did Before /We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting For’

Hmm.

The official UEFA EURO 2020 song.

Back of the net?

or globalist howler?

Only you can decide

Martin Garrix?

From top: Alan McLoughlin; part of David Squires’ cartoon tribute in The Guardian today

This morning.

Guardian cartoonist David Squires pays a finely drawn tribute to beloved former Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan McLoughin, who died on May 4 at 54. Full cartoon at link below.

David Squires on … Alan McLoughlin, my first football hero (The Guardian)

Thanks Scottser

Fingal County Council Sport Office writes:

We are facilitating another FREE, online 4-week Homefit Live programme starting Monday May 17, due to the incredible uptake of 2,500 participants registered for the HomeFit programmes to date.

These free, online classes are open to all levels of ability and will be 30–40-minute fitness sessions delivered by qualified coaches.

There will be three classes a week delivered live online at 1pm and include a Body Mind Movement, Core and Chair Exercise class.

Register here

This afternoon.

Dublin’s Euro 2020 games have been moved to Russia and London as the FAI and the Government were unable to guarantee spectator attendance.

Via RTÉ

The three Group E matches featuring Slovakia, Sweden and Poland have been moved from Aviva Stadium to Saint Petersburg.

UEFA have confirmed that the last-16 game scheduled for Dublin has been switched to Wembley Stadium in London.

…UEFA’s executive committee is meeting today to finalise plans after Bilbao and Dublin could not guarantee fan presence at matches, with Seville replacing Bilbao as a host city.

Nine of the 12 host cities had already confirmed their venues will be at least 25% full for June’s delayed European Championships, the minimum capacity UEFA will accept.

Flat Champagne, anyone?

Breaking Dublin Euro 2020 games moved to Saint Petersburg and London (RTÉ)

Pic: Aviva

This afternoon.

Ex-Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand asks his former club to explain their participation in the now-aborted European Super League.

Go on.

We’re listening.

European Super League plans in tatters as English clubs, Milan pair and Atlético withdraw (The Guardian)

Yesterday: Jumpers For Goalposts

Ah here.

FIGHT!

Pic via Mount Juliet

This morning’s Irish Independent

This afternoon.

Further to the Dubs dawn ‘workout of hate’ shenanigans…

former GAA president, Ireland South MEP Séan Kelly, has said that some form of sanction will have to be imposed on the Dublin players involved in the training session on Wednesday which broke Covid restrictions.

“If it is true it is surprising and very disappointing – especially coming from the six in a row Dubs,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. Such a successful team had a responsibility to lead by example, he added.

“Every club and every county in the country are probably frustrated they can’t get back out on the field but there is a road map there. The GAA have outlined the guidelines and everyone will have to stick by them.” Mr Kelly said that the GAA would have to react “strongly” to this breaking of restrictions as there was a need to be consistent in the way rules were applied.

Croke Park express ‘frustration and extreme disappointment’ over Dublin training (Irish Examiner)

Dublin GAA stars broke rules on Covid gatherings with early morning training (Independent.ie)