Leeds at it again

Well done to Leeds who, like last year, turned in a fabulous performance to very nearly provide the upset of the weekend by beating the Arse. Sadly Fabregas equalises in the last minute and a replay beckons.

Aside from Leeds heroics, everything went very much according to form with 7-0, 3-0 and 5-1 victories for Chelsea, Spurs and Everton respectively against lower league opposition.

Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Spurs
Leeds (Arse) v Huddersfield

Bring on the 4th Round.

Get well, Trap

It kind of worries me to hear the stories of Trappatoni being unwell in Italy at a time when Psycho is now without a job.

While delighted that Keane got his matching orders from the Tractor Boys, the FAI are well capable of being stupid enough to make enquiries as to his interest. If we are to see an old ace return, let it be Mick McCartree, pictured below following Wolves' brilliant 1-0 victory over Chelsea during the week.

Where's Wally?

A beautiful summer day in 1980. In the judicial gardens.

Magic of the FA Cup

While we have the distraction of midweek league fixtures to get out of the way first, seeing as it is the first week in January our thoughts nevertheless turn to the upcoming FA Cup 3rd round fixtures.

In years gone by this would might have involved a trip to Liverpool to see Altrincham or Plymouth, but now that Rich Hudson can get his new coats in Marks & Sparks in Galway there's no real need for a repeat of the seventies pilgrimage.

This year has a special significance which effectively means it's our Cup - the year ends in one and six of our previous wins have come in similar years a year ending 1901, 1921, 1961, 1981 and 1991.

Fixtures for weekend:

Spurs v Charlton
Chelsea v Ipswich
Scunthorpe v Everton
Arsenal v Leeds

Potential storylines involve Leeds winning and then not again until May; Ipswich conceding 5 and Roy Keane walking; and, for Brusselsblue, Tetley's putting the tea back in teabags. Good luck to all.

Finally, a little-known FA Cup statistic - Everton have the unfortunate record for the highest number of defeats in the final at 8.

Michael Flately - our greatest asset

We'll accept the demise of the Celtic Tiger, but don't mess with us over Michael Flately .....

Save us from Nutters

So disappointing to see what promised to be a mature and compassionate memorial to those that died on Stairway 13 at Ibrox in 1971 destroyed by a small number of ignorant, mindless Celtic supporters last weekend.

Instead of putting their mindless bigotry and hatred behind them for the day (a low-level expectation) they proceeded to insult the Rangers crowd by dressing up in Papal garb in one instance, and in another by waving an Argentinian shirt as a direct affront to Simon Weston, the Falklands victim, who was a guest of honour of Rangers on the day.

For the Celtic crowd to honour the minutes silence impeccably and then tolerate this type of behaviour in their midst minutes later, stinks of sheer hypocrisy. So very sad that much of this behaviour in carried out by louts wearing Ireland shirts.

Eoin Ryan's challenges are a lot deeper than singing.

Happy New Year 2011

Right, we're back and looking forward to a healthy and happy new year for all of us. Fingers crossed - go mbeirimid beo as an am seo arais.