Still not eating cake, GAA dreams and a ‘checkpoint’ FROM THE SPORTS VAULTS
WEDNESDAY: FEBRUARY 17
THERE was a thundery blast at approximately 11.15am. For a while I was more fearful of the sky noise than I was of the dread of not making today’s deadline.
An item on The Guardian website reminded me that, despite no longer having a love affair with Mr Kipling, it isn’t all that bad in my world.
The crew of an oil tanker that ran aground off the coast of the United Arab Emirates got to go home – after four years stranded at sea. The five men who were abandoned on this ship, without wages, eventually got a financial settlement. They had to remain on board or else lose their claim to the money that was owed to them. And we think we have it tough during this lockdown?
During our ramble along [REDACTED] beach, I accidentally put one foot in a saltwater puddle. Herself was worried that I might throw the wet runner away. But I didn’t. Instead, I kept my own counsel as a trudged slowly back to the car, one foot soaked and the other not. Later, as I dried one soaked foot and one soaked runner, I dipped in and out of the Champions League fixture between Porto and Juventus (a game that finished 2-1 in favour of Porto). Macy got sick just after Juventus went 2-0 down, although this was probably more to do with something wrong that she ate rather than the on-field struggles of Andrea Pirlo’s men.
A feature of Virgin Media’s coverage of the game was match analyst Gerry Armstrong’s peculiar yet endearing ‘Norn Iron’ (Northern Ireland) pronunciations. Gerry is well-informed once you get used to his way of saying words like ‘gurr’ (gear), ‘dother’ (other), ‘pled’ (played), ‘puurr’ (poor), ‘fer’ (for or fair) and ‘guudd’ (good).
THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 18
THE diet – or as I prefer to call it The Stuff I Consume Through My Pie Hole That Isn’t Actually Sh*** – continues. I think my new regimen is a mixture of Slimming World, Weight Watchers and Fast ‘Till You Drop (OK, I made up the last one).
Giving up cigarettes was a lot easier that abstaining from goodies. Cigs were not advertised, were not on open display in shops and you didn’t see as many people smoking in daily life (as you see people eating sweets). Confectionery is everywhere, the advertisements look delicious and there is always a tempting bar of chocolate within reach.
In other news, I recently spotted traffic warden Stephen Reynolds doing his job on Castle Street. As he issued a ticket and placed it under the wiper of the parked car that was in the wrong, a vehicle slowed down and a song blasted out. The song was ‘I Got Done!’, a fun ditty on Reynolds’ work by Reynolds and Stephen Hannigan, in support of North West Hospice.
While on a beach walk with the dupers at [REDACTED], there was
With the day that was in it – such fresh, inviting weather – and people with time on their hands, it was inevitable that ‘trips’ would be made. Today’s Milan derby, a game that Inter won decisively, 3-0, was the first time in a decade that both AC Milan and Inter Milan have met in this world-famous tie as the top two in Serie A. United gave me some panicky moments as I followed their progress online. But they came good – eventually – against struggling Newcastle, with Welsh winger Daniel James scoring and doing well.
MONDAY: FEBRUARY 22
I WON’T be directly affected by Ulster Bank’s exit. I was once a customer of theirs – going back to the Henry Hippo era – and I proudly had a blue bank book aged 14. At that time I thought the province of Ulster must be so rich because it had its own bank.
Nowadays we’re familiar with banking apps on our mobile phones (or tablets). I recall the era of a mobile bank. Ulster Bank ran such a service. On a certain day in the week, the travelling bank would wind its way through west Sligo and you waited for it outside your house in the same way that you’d wait to catch the bus. It helped, of course, that you didn’t get the two mixed up.
I don’t blame Catholic Church leaders asking for a little wriggle room on Level 5 restrictions now that Easter is coming (again). I know that the government is anxious that everyone gets their fair share of Easter eggs in a few weeks’ time (ahem, except for those of us on diets). But the Church, God be good to them, will have to wait in line. Sure the list is long of those who want regulations to be eased or lifted altogether. People involved in the hospitality trade, retail, gyms, hairdressers etc. Then you have sports clubs, sporting organisations et al hoping for a return to normal. Archbishop Eamonn Martin, head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, has been urging the Taoiseach Micheál Martin (no relation) to allow people to gather safely to mark Easter. Martin (Eamonn, not Micheál) didn’t say how many Easter eggs would be consumed at said ‘safe’ gathering.
TUESDAY: FEBRUARY 23
THE diet continues. To be honest, I’ve veered off the calorie awareness path once or twice. One recent evening
(it was actually in the small hours) I had two sweets. Then I had 10 more. But after the first two, which were nice, the remainder lost all meaning. Herself has since confiscated the bag (with its dwindling contents) so that this is the last of the late, sneaky sugar rushes. I wonder – now that I’m in Day 11 of this new eating strategy – was it simply additional willpower that I was lacking in my diet all along? I’ve begun to learn that it is about what (healthy) food I eat in a given day, not what crap food I’m not supposed to be gorging on. Finally, CSI: Las Vegas has become my new favourite programme.
CONDOLENCES
The club extends sympathy to Roisín, Michael, Tony, Danny and the extended Healy family, Lavagh, on the recent passing of Vinny Healy.
STEPS CHALLENGE
The club are taking part in the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’. There has been a brilliant response from club members so far and the club are on their sixth lap of Ireland. The club is running its own prize draw for all who register. There is still time to get involved – see the club’s Facebook page for details.
TRACK WALK
Coolaney-Mullinabreena GAA Club’s work as part of the GAA’s Healthy Club Project continues with ‘Lights on our Track’ at Nace O’Dowd Park, Achonry, every Tuesday and Thursday (7pm-9pm).
Meanwhile, the track at Nace O’Dowd Park is open every day for all to use within 5km. A one-way system in place. No group walking except within one’s family unit. Physical distancing is in place at all times.
CLUB LOTTO
The club officially launched its club lotto fundraiser last week. This year promises to be another very difficult one for community groups such as Coolaney-Mullinabreena GAA Club in that it appears that indoor events can’t happen for quite some time yet.
The club’s lotto is more important now than ever and remains the foundation on which the club funds its various day-to-day expenses. Insurance, loan repayments and ongoing maintenance of Nace O’Dowd Park are amongst the items that remain a constant. Coolaney-Mullinabreena GAA Club are making an appeal once again to its great supporters – please get behind us and contribute to the lotto for 2021. To purchase your ticket please contact any committee member or your usual seller for details. Alternatively, go online www.coolaneymullinabreena.com or check the club’s Facebook page.
LOOKING BACK
The club have resumed its very successful ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’ nostalgia feature on its social media platforms. Club members are encouraged to have a root around for old photos. These photos can be sent to club PRO Rose Maloney-Quinn via WhatsApp 086 4658877 or email rosequinn.ire@gmail.com