Andy Lee Defeats Affif Belghecham

France beat Ireland last night on the field, but the Irish we're given something to cheer last night when Irishman Andy Lee defeated the European Union Champion, the Frenchman Affif Belghecham 99-92 at the University of Limerick.

France leads 1-0

The Irish side went down 1-0 against France in front of a roaring crowd of around 75,000 on a crisp Autumn evening at Croke Park, Dublin after allowing a late score. After suffering their first defeat in the qualifying rounds. the odds of making the World Cup in South Africa are firmly against them for the second leg of their World Cup play-off with Les Bleus. Robbie Keane said "We have to be confident for Wednesday and believe we can win the game. There's no question we can do it on Wednesday," the captain told Sky Sports 1. "We've been to big teams like Italy and got results, so we know we can. It's not going to be easy but we have to believe. We need to believe that we have to go there, we have to get a goal and hopefully we can get two and not concede." Kevin Doyle, Irish man of the match after leading the line bravely, echoed his skipper's thoughts. "We have to score to win game." he said. "We go to France needing a goal. If not two goals, then one to get into extra time and then we'll see what happens. It was so close tonight. Their goal was not even a half chance, it was a lucky deflection. We had a few chances we made ourselves but just couldn't score. It's half-time and we have another game to go in Paris. We have gone to Italy against the world champions and we got a goal so why not in France?"

France forward Thierry Henry refused to celebrate his side's win too hard, instead choosing to focus on the return leg. "We have seen the Irish are a difficult team to beat and they didn't lose a game in the whole qualifying so what we did today is nice." he said. "There are still 90 minutes to go so it will be a tough game for us in Paris. We wanted to play in the first half but you have to give the Irish team credit, they didn't give us any room to play our game. You can always improve and hopefully the crowd in Paris can be like the crowd the Irish had tonight."

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

http://www.inflandersfields.be/#gedicht
- click here to go to the "In Flanders Fields Museum" to learn more about the sacrifices made on this sacred ground and take a moment to remember.

World Cup Playoff Fever

This Saturday, the Republic of Ireland is scheduled to play France in Croke Park, Dublin as part of the playoff round to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It will be a "Green" out at the stadium as everyone is being asked to wear green and be loud to show their support.

I will be in attendance cheering loudly for the boys in green to pull a major upset of the French side. Even though Ireland comes in undefeated and finished second in its group, it will still be a tough task to upset a major power such as France.
The French manager has pissed off many Irish fans with his evaluation of the Ireland team as “nothing more than the England B team” since a majority of the Irish players play in the English leagues.


Kevin Doyle said, "We're feeling confident we can win although other people will feel we don't have much chance."


Shay Given, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world will be the key to keeping Ireland in the game.

Playoff schedule:
Ireland v France
Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina
Greece v Ukraine
Russia v Slovenia

Ireland v France, Sat 14th November - Croke Park
France v Ireland, Wed 18th November - Stade De France

Farmers Market

Chelsea VS Manchester United

John Terry - Chelsea

Wayne Rooney - Manchester UnitedToday, two of my favorite football/soccer players are going head-to-head when Chelsea takes on Manchester United. They are the two best teams in the league and their rosters our loaded with star players including John O'Shea below.

I have a couple friends over to watch the game, a mixture of Irish, Scots, and Welsh lads and ladies and each team has their supporters here, so its quite loud right now. We're making blueberry pancakes, ham slices, scrambled eggs with onions and green peppers, and homemade bread. I'm a bit knackered from last night, so I am ready to get some food in my stomach.

Have to get back to the game, my cat is saving my seat on the side of the couch right now. He's not doing it because he's loyal, he's only waiting for me to come back because he knows I'm about to have some ham to share with him. Gonna get some food and get back to the game. Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday and since today is Remembrance Day, take a moment to remember those who sacrificed all so we could enjoy days like today. They may be gone, but they'll never be forgotten.

Remembrance Sunday

Commemmorations to mark Remembrance Sunday have been taking place in Limerick and across the North. In Belfast, over 60 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at City Hall and a two minute silence was observed.

Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the governments of the United States, Canada, France and Poland.

The President Mary McAleese is due to attend the Royal British Legion rememberance service at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

Almost 50,000 people throughout Ireland were killed in World War I, while more than 5,000 Irish volunteers died in World War II.

Every Now And Then

Happy Halloween

Knut and His Belly

Knut, staying cute as he grows up. Love him.

The Bhoys

Irish Tattoo

Ryan "Darth" Bader - Eric "Red" Schafer

Two of my favorite fighters went head to head last night with Ryan Bader (Wrestling style) defeating Eric Shafer (Ju Jitsu style).

I met a couple of my friends for breakfast this morning. Three of my single friends had been out all night drinking and dancing and hadn't been to bed yet. Two of my other friends are married and we're enjoying a moment of quiet away from their children. The conversation went back and forth from stories of the all night partying to stories of dealing with wound up children. Suddenly my working all day and crashing on the couch at night waiting for Gareth to call didn't seem quite so bad.

Craig Doyle

I've actually had the pleasure of meeting Craig about four times now. Everytime he was a man of class and a real sweetheart. For all those who don't know who he is, he can best be described as TV Presenter. I guess you could call him our version of Ryan Seacrest.