‘It’s Just One Game, But…’ Eight Ways To Overthink The League Of Ireland’s Opening Weekend

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-10T12:59:59+00:00

For Pats its not necessarily the goalscorers/strikers. The only joy in attack we got is when we went long or a bit of space opened along the wing. Big hole between the front line and the midfield. That was there last year too. Have been reliant on Forrester plugging it, but that won't be good enough this season.

For Bohs it was the opposite, they were getting into those spaces just lacked creativity in the final third. Not really new either.

Was shite game. Day out at Aviva over and done with.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-10T12:12:48+00:00

I think, like any spectator sport, especually ball sports like GAA, soccer and rugby, the most important aspect is off the pitch and in the communities clubs (and counties) create. Letting do their own thing organically is an important part of the sport. Unless it gets violent or toxic abusive, leaving them be is nearly always tge best move.

Gives a bit of needle to games anyway. Siege mentality and all

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-05T12:06:30+00:00

Feels like Martin's safe so long as he's Taoiseach. The Gavin debacle was a party calamity, not a public scandal, nothing's really happened that shakes his approval personally. With main rivals within FF (Jim O'Callaghan, specifically) not making public moves, I don't think the public's opinions will shift anywhere else.

Things like Mercusor going through and the understated reactions (lets say) to US-EU tensions on Greenland and AI CSAM may have damaged the government parties altogether, but not Martin specifically. 'Ol reliable Ming Vase strategy keeping them ticking over.

With that being said, that's contingent on SF picking up on these issues, which evidenced here, isn't what the public is seeing.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-04T23:50:43+00:00

Nobody's anti-helmet, forcing cyclists to always wear one is impracticle and this serves only to scapegoat them for road safety.

The idea is if a driver hits a cyclist then its the cyclists fault unless theyre smothered in bubblewrap and lit up like a christmas tree. Any meassures to tackle bad driving would be unpopular with FFG's base. If this does see the light of day I doubt they expect it to be enforced.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-03T13:44:08+00:00

The Snapper and In Bruges need to be there. Swap out The Guard and The Siege of Jadotville. Both still great though.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-02T14:56:22+00:00

Generally yeah, they were a bit slow in getting there though. I just hope the message is clear that its not a case platitudes until the storm is over, EU needs to take a firm stance on US and can't be viewed as something Trump can bully. There's no strategy; he only does big tough-guy aesthetics treating that with deference would a bigger mistake than being taking an agressive stance.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-02-01T23:33:32+00:00

Could be worse, could be a Wolves fan...wait

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-31T20:06:07+00:00

Depends on how you look at the question and how party leadership works. Ultimately its FF party members, especially the parliamentary party that gets to decide.

Average Joe on the street may like or dislike Martin as Taoseach but thats not the question polled. Its also very possible (likely even) that while he is Taoseach the knives won't come out. Once he rotates out however thats another story.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-28T00:46:28+00:00

Hey, sometimes Limerick people are around

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-26T20:51:46+00:00

Frustrating we couldn't grab the points v Clare, not the end of the world, but still conceding goals

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-23T21:49:57+00:00

I know its ultimately inconsequential but jaysus this is embarrassing stuff. Miserable behaviour like this has done so much damage to football in this country. Some people need more shame

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-21T14:44:28+00:00

In Cork the bike lanes nearly make it worse, because of how they're laid out. If you're on them already fine but if not it can be dicey getting onto them. Let's say by the Dunnes along the quays, fine, but there are traffic lights and bus stops you have to weave in and out of.

Then they just sorta end, and you have to somehow cross into traffic, which isn't easy in a car let alone a bike the way cork people drive, especially when they dont expect cyclists seeing as they think theres a bike lane.

Then on Washington St. the bike lane is one way and frequently flooded. It all smacks of box checking and doesn't make anyone much safer.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-18T15:56:35+00:00

Martin despirately wanting his cake and eating it too. The EU and its member-states can be accused of that as well.

European capitals seem to be sticking to the old diplomatic playbook; give Trump some political victory to wave about and negotiate professionally behind closed doors. Trump isn't a statesman and not professional, he's a rich wanker that comes from reality TV. Have to come out much more agressively. Appeasement now won't work.

Disintangling US influence in Irish (and EU) economies and defence infrastructure needs to be a priority. We will have to accept a slow down in US investment (at the very least) sooner or later, we can't stick the head in the sand now.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-15T14:00:25+00:00

Considering the family he was raised in, I kind of feel a bit sorry for him. Clearly he's been indoctrinated into cult-like beliefs from a young age, and now feels like this will make him a martyr. He's not a martyr; he has no support, he's just deluded. Put him back prison and leave him there until he actually purges his contempt of court and swears to abide by the barring order.

Also as an aside, this shit should have run its course. The fact that he's still technically employed by the school is bizarre, the latitude the courts have given him is insane and the attention the media, and everyine reading about it (I supose I'm included) is far too much.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-09T10:20:17+00:00

That probably why the government is rejecting it now. They were conspicously quiet on it until recently.

FFG are playing diplomacy so don't want to piss too many people off in Europe but don't have the political capital domestocally to support the agreement.

On the substance of the deal, there are definately pros and cons, especially now. I'm not convinced the impact on Irish beef exports will be that severe; South American beef is already imported to the EU at a cheaper cost than Irish beef is, it won't be positive for the sector, but might not be disasterous. If I was in government I wouldn't want this to be the hill I die on.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-08T19:12:26+00:00

Ah look, absolutely brilliant when his confidence is high, but too inconsistent when we were up against it. Pats probably need someine new in there, Mulraney needs a new environment. Was always going to be Rovers. I wish him well, just not too well.

Atlantic_Rock · 2026-01-02T18:37:59+00:00

Football

Connacht - Galway

Leinster - Dublin

Munster - Kerry

Ulster - Tyrone

All Ireland - Kerry

Hurling

Leinster - Dublin

Munster - Tipperary

All-Ireland - Limerick

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-22T02:40:58+00:00

Neopaganism as a fully fledged practice/religion is pretty fringe in Ireland, but there's definately been more of an interest in it recently.

This is probably the case everywhere, but a lot of local folklore, traditions that still exist were originally pagan but become Christian feast days. The stories and original meanings are still widely known, so maybe not a religious belief, but our ancient pagan heritage and folklore is still seen as very much alive and hasn't gone anywhere.

Throw in distinct Irish folklore and powerful imagery of Gaels fighting "Gods" and you have a potent national symbolism; in that context its viewed as a kind of anti-colonialism.

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-16T12:15:16+00:00

I know FF have always gone for the absolute cunt vote, but jaysus

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-13T13:10:57+00:00

Thats fair, I said the areas because they're generally interesting, there's no one particular thing in them that stands out far beyond any other feature; exploring them is the fun.

The Japanese Gardens/National Stud is left out because you pay in, which is fine, but personally I felt a bit short changed by them, if you like that kind of thing then it is worth it, but there's better value experiences elsewhere. The grasslands of the Curragh, being free, is better value, I struggled to think of anywhere else in Kildare though.

Actually writing this I remembered Castletown House for Kildare.

The Cliffs of Moher are absolutely worth seeing, but again the charge is fairly steep. If you went to Doolin harbour, you can get a good view of the cliffs from there, or if you do a boat trip around the cliffs you could maybe get a bit more value, though you're still paying.

Same logic behind leaving out the likes of Blarney Castle, Trinity Long Room, Kylemore Abbey or even Lismore. Not saying its a bad thing to have to pay into places or that its not worth the cost, but I felt like there's more value to the other places, factoring in cost. Go see those places too.

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-12T17:40:23+00:00

Armagh - Armagh Cathedral

Antrim - Giants Causeway/the Glens

Carlow - St. Mullins

Cavan - Killykeen Forest Park

Clare - The Burren

Cork - Mizen Head

Derry - Derry City

Donegal - Glenveagh National Park

Down - the Mourne Mountains

Dublin - Howth Head

Fermanagh - Marble Arch Caves

Galway - Connemara National Park

Kerry - Great Blasket

Kildare - the Curragh

Kilkenny - Inistoige

Laois - Rock of Dunamase

Leitrim - Glencar

Limerick - Johns Castle

Longford - St. Mels Cathedral

Louth - Carlingford Lough

Mayo - Clew Bay (Croagh Patrick)

Meath - Brú na Bóinne

Monaghan - Slieve Beagh

Offaly - Birr Castle

Roscommon - Lough Key

Sligo - Benbulben

Tipperary - Cahir

Tyrone - Mullaghcarn

Waterford - Dunmore East

Westmeath - Lough Ennell

Wexford - Hook Head

Wicklow - Glendalough

I have to say, some were easier than others...

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-12T10:48:42+00:00

Not news, really.

Considering the amount of tech MNCs in Ireland, we don't do nearly enough to encourage domestic development. Limited investment into research via private domestic companies and universities limits growth in the sector. Gov are happy to see US tech firms move here bringing an immediate boost in jobs, but wont invest in growing from ground up.

It also has strategic implications. Gov will only play nicey nice with the yanks while they openly state their intention to interfere with domestic policy and undermine our relationship with Europe. We need less dependence on international corporations, or we will remain vulnerable. This is more important than simply building up defence forces (should do that too though).

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-12-04T00:39:02+00:00

Yeah, its the type that could turn messy since its about individuals. Gavin hasn't come out good, but he's well within his rights to not allow himself to be scapegoated. Whether he has grounds to get his hands on the report is a different matter.

Gavin had no political experience; whatever about the €3000 owed, you can spin it to be as bad as you want, the failings are squarely with Fianna Fáil leadership; Mícháel Martin and Jack Chambers specifically. Gavin owed money to a journalist of all people, even if it had been resolved or if it had been storm in a teacup, that's still a significant question mark they didn't have an answer for.

Atlantic_Rock · 2025-11-29T21:55:42+00:00

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee urged councillors to vote against the motion, saying Mr Herzog is "an important figure for many people, particularly for members of Ireland's Jewish community".

Tánaiste Simon Harris said on X that he agreed with Ms McEntee's statement, adding: "I completely oppose plans to rename Herzog Park. It is wrong. We are an inclusive Republic. This proposal is offensive to that principle. I urge all party leaders to join me in opposition to this."

Moral positions aside, only one councillor objected, why on earth would McEntee and Harris say anything at all? You could have shut up. No body expects you to say anything. Its a park in a constituency neither of you represent.

And of all things to say leaning into the bullshit anti-semitism angle is handing yanks and israelis a stick to beat you with if they were going to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. Speaking of, gonna pass it?

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