Ciaran Hanley

  Arctic Monkeys returned to Belfast on Monday night for the first time since 2009, their sound has grown up a lot in the intervening years and they may have even lost a few fans in between but the crowd in the sold out SSE Arena were there for all the music from a career that has spanned more than 20 years. Young and old(er) cheered them on to the stage accompanied by the sci-fi sounds that have infected their two most recent albums. They opened with the cinematic “Sculptures of Anything Goes” from 2022’s The Car, the music may have matured but the lyrics still paint pictures “…village coffee mornings with not long since retired spies, now that’s my idea of a good time…”. The fans in the arena belt out the next line with lead singer Alex Turner “…flash that angle grinder smile, gasp and roll your eyes…” There was a lot of eye rolling when The Monkey’s doubled down on their 2018 change of direction album – Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino then following up with a continuation in t...

Shithousery - chiefly British term for underhanded conduct or gamesmanship in a sport, with the intention of gaining an advantage. Typically refers to association football. "fantastic shithousery from James Ward-Prowse to get Zaha sent off". It was a tale of two penalties - one not fought hard enough for and the other was won. After yet another early goal conceded, Liverpool battled back into the game. Diogo Jota ran on to a bouncing ball played into the right hand side of the box and attempted to lift it into the danger area. The ball was blocked by Arsenal centre back Gabriel, Jota put a hand up to enquire politely if it might be a penalty. The slow motion replay showed the ball hitting the defenders outstretched forearm, Sky commentators were convinced it was going to be a penalty awarded by VAR but everyone watching was left scratching their heads when check was completed. The old saying that we've seen them given should automatically mean that it's always given. ...

Alec my aussie mate nudged me as I stood trying to take in what Hill 16 and the rest of Croke Park had just witnessed. "Fight!" he nodded in the direction of the Cusack Stand. I looked over and saw many players from both teams pushing and shoving each other at the entrance to the tunnel that leads to changing rooms under one of the enormous sides of GAA headquarters. I shrugged it off dismissing it as what's known as handbags and I started to wonder what extra time would bring. It turned out it was more than just testosterone flying all over the place but I didn't know exactly what had happened until after the game, a brilliant gaelic football game sadly overshadowed by a moment of madness. I was transported back to April 2013 at Anfield, a fantastic 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea that displayed all the sides of Luis Suarez. He gave away a penalty, he expertly set up Sturridge and then he scored a last minute equaliser but somewhere in the middle of the game h...

  23/08/2021. From: Ciaran John, Were you back at Anfield on Saturday? I thought we looked a bit rusty which has to be expected early in season. Trent in particular was sloppy. Burnley didn’t half get stuck into us though especially Jota. They were lining up to kick or run into him. The win was the most important thing. Chelsea next week will be a good indicator of where both teams are. Thanks Ciaran       Afternoon Ciaran, Yes I was back but I continued to wear a mask and I was the only one where I was sitting that kept a mask on. I have been double jabbed but I could still catch it and then give it to my wife which I do not want to do, so being very careful. The new ticketing system with smartphones seemed OK although I do know of a couple of people who battled with it. It was lovely being back. The last game I went to was the Champions League against Athletico Madrid which eventually was deemed to be a super spreader event. I have parking ...