There’s usually less debate about the hurling All-Stars than you get with the football All-Stars. Here you have Dublin with four All-Irelands in a row and Stephen Cluxton, acknowledged as the finest ever goalkeeper in football, not able to get an All-Star in any of the four years. For someone of Cluxton’s influence on the way Dublin play, it’s a strange one. Aren’t this year’s hurling All-Stars the same pattern? There’s probably only two big talking points. You had Limerick’s Diarmaid Byrnes missing out at wing-back and his teammate Dan Morrissey getting in. Maybe Dan making wing-back was a sop to his brother Tom missing out at wing-forward. “I would have picked Tom Morrissey there and left Séamus Harnedy inside in the full-forward line, where John Conlon and Graeme Mulcahy were certs. Don’t get me wrong. Patrick Horgan, along with TJ Reid, would be one of the first names you’d pencil in for the best six forwards in … [Read more...] about Diarmaid Byrnes and Tom Morrissey Limerick’s unlucky duo
Diarmaid
Diarmaid MacCulloch delves deep into the soul of Thomas Cromwell – administrator, henchman and evangelical
Marcus Nevitt 29 September 2018 9:00 AM 29 September 2018 9:00 AM Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Whatsapp Thomas Cromwell: A Life Diarmaid MacCullochAllen Lane, pp.730, £30 The final moments of Hilary Mantel’s magnificent Wolf Hall see its central protagonist, Thomas Cromwell, trying to banish ghosts. Assailed by memories of his orchestration of the execution of his rival Thomas More, the sight of his head on a block, the ‘sickening sound of the axe on flesh’, Cromwell turns to two sources of solace to improve his mood: the welfare of his household and — oddly, but characteristically —admin. In order to give us a Cromwell who is so much more than an insanely ambitious judicial murderer, Mantel leaves her readers with her protagonist fretting over the future happiness of his recently married secretary Ralph Sadler at the same time as he plots the precise detail of Henry VIII’s imminent progress to Bristol with … [Read more...] about Diarmaid MacCulloch delves deep into the soul of Thomas Cromwell – administrator, henchman and evangelical
Man wanted for murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly detained in Spain
By Diarmaid Mac DermottA Dublin man wanted for the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly five years ago has been detained in Spain. A warrant for the arrest of Dean Evans was issued by the Special Criminal Court last year after he failed to turn up for his trial.He has been arrested by Spanish police and is due to face a European Arrest Warrant seeking his return to Ireland.Evans (27), of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, was due to stand trial for the murder of the 35-year-old father of two but failed to turn up in court in January 2017.Peter Butterly was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath around 2pm on March 6th, 2013Last April, two Dublin men were found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of murdering Mr Butterly.Four men were originally charged with the murder. One of the men, David Cullen, subsequently turned State witness and his murder charge was dropped. Edward McGrath (35), of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield, Tallaght and Sharif Kelly (47), of … [Read more...] about Man wanted for murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly detained in Spain
Junior and Leaving Cert ‘at risk’ unless examiners’ pay increased
Secondary teachers say the integrity of State exams are at risk unless there is a sharp increase in pay rates for marking students’ work. The conference heard the State Examinations Commission is facing an “impending catastrophe” due to shortages of examiners and superintendents who are willing to correct exams as a result of “draconian” pay cuts. Delegates at the annual conference of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) voted unanimously for a 30 per cent increase in rates of pay for marking exams. Payments to examiners for marking individual exam papers range from just over €4 to just over €32, depending on the subject and length of the exam. However, teachers said their take-home pay amounted to “blood money” because tax hikes meant it was less than half of these rates. Liam Hennelly, a teacher, told the conference that while he earned a gross wage of €5,000 for marking 340 papers during the summer months, … [Read more...] about Junior and Leaving Cert ‘at risk’ unless examiners’ pay increased
Penny Smith, 59, is ageless beauty in thigh-grazing mini
PENNY Smith looked sultry in sparkles at the National Film Awards. By Chloe Stewart / Published 29th March 2018 Penny Smith’s legs were on full display as she was at her glamorous best at the National Film Awards.The stunning presenter, best known for her 17-year turn on GMTV, looked sensational as she posed up a storm for photographers.Penny who now works on Channel’s 5 The Wright Stuff looked stunning in a blue dress that was adorned with sparkles. GETTY GLAMOURPUSS: Penny Smith puts on a stylish display GETTY BEAMING: Penny Smith looked sensational at National Film Awards The blonde bombshell paired the dress with semi-sheer tights and black boots – adding rocker vibes to her feminine look.Penny, who is dating actor Vince Leigh, styled her blonde/brown locks into a sleek, straight ‘do and added a soft smoky eye to her striking peepers.Penny had her first taste of reality TV earlier this year when she appeared on Channel 5’s Celebrity Go … [Read more...] about Penny Smith, 59, is ageless beauty in thigh-grazing mini