The Robbie Keane myth

WITH two goals in Skopje this summer, Robbie Keane surpassed Bobby Charlton’s record haul of 49 goals to become the British Isles’ leading scorer. With those strikes against Macedonia he sits on 51, far outstripping legends from other home nations such as Ian Rush, Wales, 28 goals, Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish, both Scotland, both 30 goals. He has outscored Gary Lineker for England and looking further afield; he has more goals than Jurgen Klinsmann, Rudi Voller and has just drawn level with Thierry Henry. A substantial return from 111 caps.

New season, new rules in the NFL

This season sees a few slight rule changes introduced to American Football which are sure to have a big impact on teams. The NFL’s Competition Committee has introduced them, with the backing of the majority of NFL team owners, in the interests of increasing players’ safety.

Sport Virgin - The gentlemen's underwater game of Octopush

THE last time I checked, humans really didn't need to go underwater to discover a new sport but alas, octopush has somehow managed to drag itself from the murky depths from which it came and into our civilised society.

For those who are unaware of this unnecessary “sport'', it consists of two teams of 6 players each who essentially play underwater hockey with tiny foot long sticks. Despite having goals there are no goalkeepers as most teams set up a 3-3 formation consisting of 3 defending players and 3 attacking players. The madness ensues from here as both teams aim to drop or flick a hockey puck into a three metre wide container.

Mourinho and the Madrid love affair

In the wake of recent controversy over the eye gauging incident in the Camp Nou, Jose Mourinho continues to entertain us with his indifferent and individual displays as Real Madrid coach. After almost 10 years at the top of the game, is Mourinho’s ego starting to suffocate Los Blanco’s dreams of lifting yet another La Liga title?

“One of the most important things I learnt from Bobby Robson is that when you win, you shouldn’t assume you are the team, and when you lose, you shouldn’t think you are rubbish.”

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - The enduring legacy of Gil Scott-Heron

THE last straw for Ryan Tubridy's twitter account came when a barrage of abuse followed an obscure reference to popular culture he made in relation to the London riots. "Watching rioters dousing a car with petrol before the match is struck. Awful scenes. The revolution is being televised", he tweeted.

What the brave twitter etiquette warriors who criticised Tubridy for this didn't realise, is that the Late Late Show host was subtly touching on the work of a hugely influential yet unsung poet, singer, spoken word pioneer, novelist and musician. The late great Gil Scott-Heron died in May of this year and left a legacy that will endure for generations. Scott-Heron is to American hip hop what Jack Kerouac is to American literature. A thinker, an innovator and someone who left his stamp both artistically and commercially.

Is the GAA still an amateur sport?

The Association is an Amateur Association... No player, team, official or member shall accept payment in cash or in kind or other material reward in connection with GAA membership...’ From the mouth of the GAA rule book, the sport is defined as amateur. How amateur it is today? The GAA central council has come under increasing amounts of pressure to change the status of the sport, with what has once been called ‘gifts’ and ‘donations’ could now be regarded as ‘eligible expenses’.

The Changing Dynamics of Anglo-Irish Relations

“So ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to rise and join me in a toast to the President, and the people, of Ireland”. Few thought they would live to see the day where a British monarch would express any such sentiment regarding the Irish people. Over the course of her visit Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, together with President Mary McAleese, has indeed made history.
With the turbulent and often violent history that Ireland and England share, many found no difficulty in being sceptical about the royal visit. After all, how could a four-day visit make amends for centuries of oppression?
It was said during her visit that an apology for the atrocities that were carried out during the course of our shared history was highly unlikely. It later became clear, by the end of her only speech of the visit, that a direct and official apology was not forthcoming. However, by the end of the second day, it became almost unnecessary.